Tag: Patent

Blog

From Disclosure to Market: How the BioVentures Process Works

Curious how an idea becomes a protected invention at UAMS? At BioVentures, we guide innovators through every step, from disclosure to patent decisions and market strategy. Here’s how the process works, what to expect, and how we support you along the way. 1) Submit Your Invention Disclosure The first step is fully and adequately disclosing your invention to BioVentures by submitting an invention disclosure. Even if you’ve already reached out to schedule a meeting, we require a disclosure to initiate the process. It allows us to review the technology in advance, and gather essential information on compliance, funding, and inventorship. We’ve recently adopted a new AI-powered disclosure platform to simplify the process. You can upload relevant documents—papers, figures, posters, presentations—and the system will generate a draft disclosure for you to review and edit before submission: 👉 Submit your disclosure The form captures a complete overview of your invention, its potential applications, and any existing data or prototypes. Once submitted, BioVentures typically reviews the disclosure within 1–2 weeks before scheduling a meeting with you. Typical timing: BioVentures review in 1–2 weeks. 2) Meeting with the Technology Manager We meet with the inventor to clarify the technology, confirm federal compliance needs, capture inventor and funding information, and discuss long‑term goals and commercialization paths. Typical timing: Scheduled within 1–2 weeks after disclosure review. 3) P&CC Decision (Patent & Copyright Committee) The inventor presents at the P&CC. This committee reviews the presented technology and makes a determination on how the technology should be protected. Outcomes can include: Typical timing: P&CC is usually scheduled 1–2 months after acceptance of the disclosure. 4) Protection Strategy Based on P&CC Outcome The legal protection route follows the P&CC decision. If a provisional patent filing is recommended, we move quickly to secure a priority date and a 12‑month window to strengthen data and assess market potential. This is because in the United States is a first to file country which means that the right to a patent generally belongs to whichever inventor files an application with the USPTO first, not to whoever first conceives the idea. As such, protecting your invention in a timely manner is important to us. Typical timing: Provisional filing is typically completed within a few weeks of the P&CC meeting. 5) Marketing and Commercial Pathways If the inventor agrees, we begin targeted outreach. Options include: Why Early Disclosure Matters Submitting your invention disclosure early is essential. It helps preserve your patent rights before any public disclosure or publication, ensuring your ability to pursue protection. Early disclosure also allows BioVentures to align your IP strategy with funding sources and compliance requirements, and accelerates our ability to evaluate the market potential and identify relevant partners. This overview is for general information and does not constitute legal advice. Specific strategies and timelines may vary by technology. Have an invention to disclose? Submit your disclosure now!

August 5, 2025

News

A New Antibody Detects a Hidden Cancer Signal

Newly granted patent: U.S. Patent No. 12,281,171 B2, “Periostin Antibodies and Methods of Using the Same” What’s the problem? Some cancers create a unique “signal” by adding a rare sugar modification to proteins like periostin. This tumor-specific marker could help identify and target cancer, but it’s extremely difficult to detect. Traditional tools often miss it because these sugar structures are hard for the immune system to recognize. What does this technology do? This patent covers a new monoclonal antibody, C9, that targets the sugar marker not the whole protein. Using samples from ovarian cancer patients, inventors at UAMS identified an antibody that binds precisely to this cancer-specific structure. In mouse models, this C9 antibody successfully located and attached to tumors, showing strong potential for cancer imaging and targeted treatment.

August 5, 2025

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. 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

July 6, 2025