5 Places To Find IP to License

Want to know a little secret? You don’t need your own IP to start a biotech company. There are literally hundreds, perhaps thousands, of patented ideas waiting for you to license on very reasonable terms.

Let me answer your first question: If these patents are so great, why aren’t they already being commercialized? That is actually quite simple to answer. First, not everyone who is an inventor is ready to jump off the lab bench and into a meeting with venture capitalists. Many are quite happy to put another notch on the old “patent belt” and move on to the next research project.

Next, even if the inventors were willing to commercialize the technology, many of the inventors work for institutions that would prefer the inventor to keep doing what they’re doing, and leave the commercialization to those who know what they are doing. That’s where you, the biotech entrepreneur comes in.

That wasn’t always the case. Even just ten years ago, many universities would actively block anyone trying to commercialize their technology. Now there are entire tech-transfer offices dedicated to commercializing technology created by institutions. Why? Because when you commercialize their technology, they’ve just created income without doing much, and letting you take on the risk. So if a technology is successful, great! they get paid. If it’s not, oh well, maybe someone else will take a crack at it.

So without further delay, below are five places with IP just waiting to be licensed. In upcoming posts, I’ll cover how to go about licensing technology, and how to identify technology you actually want to license. In the meantime, enjoy:

1. USDA Patents and Licensing http://tinyurl.com/6yvyjy

The USDA has a great page that clearly delineates the IP available for licensing covering a wide variety of  technology interests. It has has a cool section detailing success stories, and has a very easy to follow application process.

2. MIT Patents Available for Licensing http://tinyurl.com/9wfd65
I always like to see what’s available for licensing from one of the preeminent institutions in the world. Unfortunately, their site is not very user-friendly, and doesn’t have many of the bells and whistles that USDA’s site has. With that being said, I think it’s safe to say that MIT doesn’t have to impress anyone.

3. NASA Technology Transfer and Partnership Office http://tinyurl.com/88ap2r

Obviously NASA is always working on cutting edge research, and naturally NASA spins a lot of IP out of that research. NASA’s site is very user-friendly and has a lot of very helpful information, such as  a thorough explanation on how to partner with NASA.

4. Army Patents Available for Licensing http://tinyurl.com/axomk4

Admittedly, the Army’s site is pretty basic, but the military always has fascinating technology available for licensing. Also, it’s very possible you’ll be able to get some funding from the Army towards commercializing their technology. Plus, if you commercialize it in a way the military can use it, there really is no better customer to have than the U.S. military.

5. IBM Intellectual Property and Licensing http://tinyurl.com/23q7c

In 2007, IBM was awarded over 3000 patents, and maintained its 15 year streak of being awarded more patents than any other company in the world. That is an incredible accomplishment. Obviously, IBM is not able to commercialize each and every one of its patents, and so they list patents that are available for licensing. Not a bad site, but could be a little easier to use.