Technology Transfer Mission at Syracuse University

As an integral part of its larger mission of teaching, research and the dissemination of knowledge, Syracuse University generates extensive intellectual property with significant commercial value. By licensing this intellectual property to commercial partners who in turn benefit the public with it, we support the University Academic Plan, directly benefiting University programs, faculty, staff and students while creating broader economic development in our community, country and even worldwide.

In keeping with this mission, the Office of Technology Transfer Industrial Development facilitates the transfer of University technologies to the commercial marketplace.

What is Technology Transfer
at Syracuse University?

In the course of their work or studies, Syracuse University’s faculty, researchers, students and staff may develop new technology or discover new things. The science, technology, methodology, product, etc. that the employee or student discovers may be intellectual property. When this is true, patents, copyrights, trademark, etc. can be used to protect the inventor/discoverer's findings and SU’s interest in them. The next step after protecting the intellectual property may then be to figure out how the invention/technology/science can be used out in the world at large. Is it worth producing? Selling? On it's own? To improve existing products/practices/etc? If so, then the Technology Transfer and Industrial Development will research businesses that might want to purchase (buy outright, with ownership) or license (the legal right to use it, but it won't make them the owner) and make the pitch to the business. 

If the pitch works, the office negotiates with the company that wants to license the intellectual property. If no company exists, we might work with the inventor to start their own business, and would work with them on businesses plans and the like.

Under the Bayh Dole Act, there is also a compliance component to Tech Transfer for inventions and patents that are funded by Federal funding.

Our daily work consists of interfacing with inventors; conducting patent searches; guiding the patenting process with outside counsel; managing patent prosecution with outside counsel; understanding market need for technologies and evaluating the technology’s potential for commercialization; and more. We work with contracts (license agreements and others); commercial transactions (our contracts are with corporate entities); and can be involved in the work around start-up companies. We also assist licensee companies with commercialization grant applications.

Who Are We?

Jeong Han Oh, M.B.A., Esq.
Licensed Patent Attorney
Associate Director

Jennifer M. Crisp, Esq.
Licensing Associate. 

Where Are We?

The office is located in 2-220 CST (Center for Science and Technology) on the SU campus, on the second floor, surrounded by companies in incubator space available through SU’s CASE Center. 

Technology TransferReporting Structure
as of January 2007

The Office of Technology Transfer and Industrial Development is a division the Office of Research of Syracuse University.  Since January 1, the office became independent of the Office of Sponsored Programs and it now reports to Dr. Gina Lee-Glauser, Associate Vice President for Research and Director of the CASE Center.

We Look Forward
To Working With You!