Category: Blog

Blog

Bringing Discoveries to Life: Technology Transfer at UAMS 

Every breakthrough at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) starts the same way: a question, an experiment, a spark of insight. Yet fewer than 10% of academic discoveries are ever licensed, and even fewer become commercial products, because the gap between lab work and real-world adoption is wider than it looks.  That’s where technology transfer, and BioVentures, steps in.  What Exactly Is Technology Transfer?  In simple terms, technology transfer (or “tech transfer”) is the structured hand-off of intellectual property (IP), data and know-how from a research institution to an outside partner that can turn it into a product, service or startup. At UAMS, tech transfer means:  Why It Accelerates the Path to Market  Great research doesn’t always lead to real-world impact, at least not on its own. In fact, many promising discoveries stall in the gap between publication and commercialization. Without structured support, this “valley of death” can prevent life-changing technologies from ever reaching patients, products, or public benefit.  That’s where technology transfer makes the difference. By removing common roadblocks, it turns isolated breakthroughs into scalable innovations.  Here are three key barriers in traditional academic research, and how technology transfer helps overcome them:  1. No Clear Ownership = No Investment  Most companies won’t touch an invention unless it’s clearly protected. If the intellectual property (IP) isn’t patented or officially disclosed, it becomes risky. No one wants to invest in something they can’t legally control or defend.  Tech transfer solution: BioVentures helps UAMS researchers secure IP rights through provisional or utility patents. This provides legal certainty for potential partners and investors, paving the way for serious interest and funding.  2. Funding Gaps After Publication  Once a discovery is published, grant funding often slows down and there’s rarely institutional support to turn research into a product. That leaves many innovations in limbo.  Tech transfer solution: Through licensing agreements, BioVentures creates new revenue streams for inventors and their departments. Royalties and milestone payments help fund continued development, validation, and even new lines of research.  3. Limited Access to Commercial Partners  Researchers often lack direct access to industry players who could bring their technologies to market. Cold outreach rarely works, and there’s no playbook for navigating the startup or med-tech space alone.  Tech transfer solution: BioVentures maintains an active network of industry contacts, including venture firms, pharma companies, and medical device manufacturers. We make the introductions—and manage the conversations—so your science gets in front of the right people.  What’s in It for UAMS Inventors?  Your First Step: The Invention Disclosure  Submitting a disclosure takes ≈10 minutes and should be done before you publish or present.  Ready to Make an Impact?  Stay on top of funding calls, licensing success stories and practical IP tips. Subscribe to the BioVentures Newsletter and turn your research into real-world change.  Subscribe Now 

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BioVentures unveils a smarter, faster way to manage invention disclosures at UAMS  

BioVentures LLC has adopted Tradespace, an AI-driven platform built specifically for technology-transfer offices, to streamline invention disclosures and commercialization efforts across UAMS. Beginning this month, all UAMS inventors will submit new inventions through BioVentures’ new portal, powered by Tradespace, via UAMS Single Sign-On at app.tradespace.io.  Tradespace replaces the old portal with a transparent, user-friendly experience that matches the pace of translational science:  “Adopting this new platform reflects our mission to stay at the forefront of academic innovation,” said Eric Peterson, Ph.D., President of BioVentures. “It’s about giving researchers the tools they need to partner with BioVentures and bring their cutting edge ideas to market more effectively.”  Submit your invention in minutes  Most users complete the new disclosure form in under 10 minutes. Log in and get started today: app.tradespace.io.  For questions or assistance, contact the BioVentures team at bioventures@uams.edu.  

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Innovation Week 2025 Connects Science, Industry, and Opportunity

BioVentures hosted its first annual Innovation Week from May 12–15, 2025, bringing together researchers, startups, industry partners, and investors to explore the future of biomedical innovation at UAMS. The event featured a dynamic lineup of panels, presentations, and networking opportunities across campus, designed to strengthen the bridge between academic research and real-world impact. Over 50 attendees registered across the week’s activities, which included: Speakers included representatives from BioArkansas, the Arkansas Research Alliance, Tradespace,  and BioVentures. Panelists included faculty and staff from across the UAMS ecosystem, and representatives from pharmaceutical and biomedical industry partners such as Johnson and Johnson. The week underscored the critical role of translational science, commercialization of intellectual property, and industry-academia collaborations, and how institutions like UAMS can lead in transforming research discoveries into commercial and clinical solutions. We’re grateful to everyone who participated, and we’re already looking ahead to Innovation Week 2026. Did you attend Innovation Week? Leave us a comment on LinkedIn. Help us improve next year’s Innovation Week by sharing your thoughts through this short form. Meet & Greet Inventors Lunch & Award Ceremony Industry-Research Forum Stay in the Loop Subscribe now to get updates on BioVentures events. Subscribe * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name

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Innovation Week Opens in 7 Days — Are You Registered?

In one week, BioVentures will welcome innovators from across UAMS and beyond for Innovation Week 2025. Four days of ideas, insight and industry connection on the UAMS Main Campus in Little Rock. Whether you’re advancing breakthrough research, launching a startup or simply curious about commercialization, this is the place to turn discovery into opportunity. Date Time Location Highlight Mon 12 8 – 10 a.m. Biomed I Atrium Meet & Greet: coffee, donuts and conversation with the BioVentures team Tue 13 11:30 a.m. I. Dodd Wilson 115 A/B Inventors Lunch & Award Ceremony — celebrating UAMS discoveries Wed 14 Noon Cancer Institute, Strauss‑McCaskill Learning Center “Raising Capital for Your Startup Endeavors” with Michael Geranen Thu 15 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. I. Dodd Wilson Industry‑Research Forum — keynote by Justin Rerko, expert panels, lunch & networking happy hour Full agenda details, speaker bios and session descriptions are available on the registration page. Why Attend? Seats are limited. See you next week at Innovation Week 2025 — Where Discovery Meets Opportunity.

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Explore the Inventor’s Handbook: Your Guide to Tech Transfer

Discover essential insights into the tech transfer process with the BioVentures Inventor’s Handbook. This resource provides UAMS researchers with valuable information on protecting intellectual property, navigating the patenting process, and understanding the benefits of commercialization. Whether you’re a new or experienced inventor, this handbook offers step-by-step guidance to help turn your innovations into impactful products and services.

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