WIXLIB

PartnerSmartwithLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryTechnology TransferFrom Berkeley Lab to the Marketplace

Partnering with Berkeley LabDr. Steven ChuDirector, Berkeley LabTechnology Transfer atBerkeley LabLawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,also known as Berkeley Lab, is locatedin the hills above the University ofCalifornia, Berkeley campus, adjacentto the San Francisco Bay. It is fundedby the Department of Energy withan annual budget of approximately 500 million and has been a leader inscience and engineering research forover 70 years.Science at Berkeley LabBerkeley Lab conducts non-classified research across a widerange of scientific disciplines with key efforts in: Biosciences Advanced MaterialsMany Ways to Work with Berkeley LabOur research produces innovative technologieswith commercial value. The Technology Transferand Intellectual Property ManagementDepartment moves technologies from the Lab tothe marketplace to benefit society and the U. S.economy. We accomplish this by developing andmanaging an array of partnerships with the privatesector including licensing, collaborative research, andsponsored research.The Technology Transfer Department serves as a focalpoint to foster productive relationships between theLab and the private sector. There are many ways forindustry to work with Berkeley Lab.We license cutting-edge technologies to companies,including start-ups, that have the financial, R & D,manufacturing, marketing, and managerial capabilitiesto successfully commercialize Lab inventions. Inaddition, we ensure that inventions receive properintellectual property protection, and we serve as theLab resource on industry relations.Sponsor researchA company may sponsor research at Berkeley Labwhen capabilities and interests match. This providesindustry with an excellent way to leverage theirresearch activities.License intellectual propertyThrough technology licensing, industry helps translatenew discoveries into commercially viable productsand processes. Fuel Cells and Batteries Software andInformation Technology“We have been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with LBNL tolicense our search and discovery technology. SeeqPod and its users have directlybenefited from the Lab's rich resources, technical knowledge, and world-classstaff. I’d encourage other entrepreneurs and computer scientists to work withLBNL, and would welcome the chance to do so again.—Kasian Franks, co-founder and CEO, SeeqPod Inc.“ Medical Imaging1. Advanced Light Source (ALS)2. Molecular Foundry (a nanostructures user facility)3. National Energy Research ScientificComputing Center (NERSC)4. National Center for Electron Microscopy (NCEM)5.The Joint Genome Institute (JGI)6. 88-Inch Cyclotron Nanoscience Biofuels, Solar, andEnergy EfficiencyAccess six state-of-the-art user facilities(www.lbl.gov)Our user facilities provide state-of-the-art instruments,techniques, and scientific staff to assist with advancedstudies and they are available for use by both industryand academic institutions.“There is nothing more satisfying than seeing the knowledge we produce in ourbasic research applied in a manner that impacts society; [it] is a key step inthe process of economic growth as well.—Carolyn Bertozzi, Director, Molecular Foundry and inventor ofmaterial for contact lenses“Lawrence BerkeleyNational Laboratory

Frequently Asked QuestionsHow can I find out about technologiesavailable for licensing?other academic institutions. The cost of a licenseis based on: Visit our index of available technologies at:http://www.lbl.gov/tt/techs/index.html The market value of the technology Sign up for our customized new technologyemail alerts at: http://www.lbl.gov/tt Write us at TTD@lbl.gov or call 510-486-6467Berkeley Lab broadly disseminates informationabout licensing opportunities via the Web,scientific journals, and promotional mailings sentto both corporate executives and the media.What if I am interested in an area ofresearch, but there is no particulartechnology listed?We will try to match you with a scientist doingwork in your area of interest.How does Berkeley Lab choose a licensee?Berkeley Lab seeks licensees who are most ableto bring a technology to market. The criteria weuse to qualify a licensee are: R&D capabilities Common licensing practices in the relevantindustrial sector Additional development costs involved inbringing the technology to market The scope of the field of use or geographicregionThe financial terms include: An issue fee, which is nonrefundable and dueupon execution of the agreement A running royalty fee, which is most commonlybased on a percentage of sales A minimum annual royalty fee Other financial terms appropriate to thetechnology and market, such as milestonepaymentsWe endeavor to find win-win solutions and areexperienced in working with small businesses andstart-ups. We sometimes accept equity as part ofa licensee’s financial commitment. Financial resources Management commitment Experience in relevant marketsHow long does it take Berkeley Lab tonegotiate a license?Every license is different. The time depends uponthe complexity of the transaction. It generallytakes a few months.What other requirements are inBerkeley Lab licenses?We are committed to ensuring that our licensedtechnologies are commercialized so that thepublic ultimately benefits. Berkeley Lab licenseesmust meet mutually agreed upon performancerequirements that reflect diligent progresstowards commercialization.What is the typical length of a license?How much does a license cost?Our licensing fee structure is in line with that ofBerkeley Lab licenses usually run for the life ofthe patent although other terms are available.

FAQsCan I get an exclusive license fromBerkeley Lab?Licenses may be exclusive, exclusive for aparticular field of use or geographic region, or nonexclusive.In all Berkeley Lab agreements, the U.S.government is granted a fully paid-up, non-transferable,non-exclusive license to use the invention for government purposes only, as is the case with other federallyfunded inventions.Will Berkeley Lab allow me tosublicense?Generally, yes, if you have an exclusive license.Do I have to manufacture in the U.S.?Under an exclusive license, the technology must besubstantially manufactured in the U.S. for sales to theU.S. market.Will Berkeley Lab assign all patent rights tomy company?No, Berkeley Lab retains patent ownership of itstechnologies. Your company will be granted a license touse the technology.Is Berkeley Lab technology ready forimmediate commercialization?It usually takes at least a year, and often longer,to develop the technology into a commercial product.Are licenses available to non-U.S.companies?Yes, although as a federally-funded facility,Berkeley Lab has a preference for U.S. companies.

A Track Record of SuccessEnergyPlus is an energy simulation software programthat models heating, cooling, lighting, ventilation, and otherenergy flows within a building. Close to 50,000 architects,engineers, and others have downloaded the softwareand over 25 companies have entered into commercialdistribution licenses.Electromagnetic Geological Mapping softwareminimizes the risk in finding offshore fossil fuels byconverting signals from electromagnetic imaging ofhydrocarbon reservoirs into 3-D maps. The software hasbeen licensed to multiple companies, including ExxonMobil,Shell International, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron Energy.“Ultra-Clean Low Swirl Combustion is acombustion method that emits very low levels ofnitrogen oxide pollutants when applied to heat andelectric power generating systems of all sizes. MaxonCorporation has commercialized burners for industrialheating and drying based on this technology.Ion Mobility Analysis is a low cost, rapid methodfor early detection of cardiovascular disease risk. It islicensed to Quest Diagnostics and Berkeley HeartLab.Gas-filled Panels are honeycombed layers ofaluminized plastic filled with a low conductivity gasor air. They can be used as inexpensive insulationfor buildings, containers, electronic appliances, andvehicles and have been licensed to two companies,GFP Holdings and Cold Pack System.By partnering with Dr. Cheng and Berkeley Lab, we have been able to introduce industry-besttechnology at a reasonable price while compressing our time to market. Our experiences withLBNL licensing have been very satisfying and profitable while introducing innovative cleancombustion technology to our nation’s energy infrastructure.—Jeffrey Rafter, Senior Marketing Manager, Maxon Corporation“PHENIX is automated macromolecular crystallographysoftware that determines protein structure with increasedthroughput and efficiency. It is widely used for biotechdiscovery and is being developed in partnership with anindustry consortium.

SuccessThe Technology Transfer Department is staffed by professionals experienced in managing,marketing, and licensing intellectual property, as well as in patent prosecution. Over the last fifteenyears, we have executed over 400 licenses, and more than twenty start-up companies have beenlaunched based on technologies developed at the Lab. We work with companies small and large,domestic and foreign, to promote the use of Berkeley Lab inventions to benefit the public.Selected Start-upsSymyx Technologies was founded on a combinatorialchemistry technology developed at Berkeley Lab and iscurrently traded on Nasdaq (SMMX).WaterHealth International delivers clean water tothe most remote, underserved communities throughoutthe world using ultra violet light disinfection technology.SeeqPod, a media search, recommendation, anddiscovery services company that focuses on results thatare “playable,” is based on an algorithm that mimicshuman cognition.RSL Energy is commercializing full spectrum solar cellsthat may achieve practical efficiencies far above the stateof the art.Nanosys has licensed Berkeley Lab’s nanocrystaltechnology for solar cell and electronics applications. Thecompany is currently focusing on high performance, flexibleelectronics.Carrier Aeroseal uses an aerosol-based duct sealingsystem to greatly increase energy efficiency in residentialand commercial buildings throughout the country.Tapping Into Talent at UCOver 250 Berkeley Lab scientists have joint facultyappointments at UC Berkeley or UC San Francisco.The Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) is a partnershipbetween Berkeley Lab, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, theCarnegie Institution for Science, and Sandia and LawrenceLivermore national laboratories to create advanced biofuelsfrom the cellulose in plants.The Energy Bioscience Institute (EBI) is acollaboration between Berkeley Lab, UC Berkeley, theUniversity of Illinois, and BP to search for solutions to globalenergy challenges.Berkeley Lab has a collaborative cancer research programwith UCSF’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.