The NIH as a Technology Development and Commercialization Partner

BioXchange is excited to host the NIH this month as they discuss how they can be a technology development and commercialization partner for life science companies. The discussion will be followed by live networking on Grapevine Network.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the world’s largest basic science research institute in the world. Our extramural program represents the biggest funder of basic and clinical research to universities and other research centers. Those funds, as well as research done on the NIH campus by our own faculty, make possible important discoveries every day about the fundamental nature of living things. The NIH Hospital is the largest center dedicated to clinical investigation. The NIH fosters innovation in the commercial sector via our Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program. Our mission includes improving public health for the global community.

All these statements are true. But, if this is all you know about NIH, then you don’t really know NIH.

Much less known is the part of our mission devoted to facilitating economic developing. We’re not just a top tier place for academics to move research forward alongside a key opinion leader, leading to a publication in esteemed journal or promising grant proposal. On the contrary, the NIH has established itself as open for business – as one of the go-to places for the healthcare industry to work with a thought-leader, overcome a technology or knowledge gap, and get their products to market. Across 27 Institutes and Centers, we cover nearly every disease and disorder imaginable – and marketable. We are the largest provider of in-kind support in the world. Research tools – mice, cell lines, antibodies – are provided at little or no cost. Sure, we develop drugs – but we also develop devices, diagnostics, wearable and digital health solutions, and software.

We are competitive on the business/financial front regarding equity, royalty costs, and overhead rates. We need those in the commercial sector to fulfill our mission of accelerating and promoting economic development. That means working with companies to positively impact your chances as an equity investment, a M&A target, an active employer. The NIH might not be the first place you seek out to bolster your pipeline or accelerate technology development – but perhaps we should be.

Suggested take-aways & learning points:
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a Technology Development and Commercialization Partner

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a resource that companies should consider to bolster their pipeline or solve a development problem. Attendees will learn:

• Who we are. The NIH is more than basic research and SBIRs. Technology commercialization and economic development is part of our mission.

• That companies, entrepreneurs, and other buy-side stakeholders – not just academia – can partner with the NIH

• Why industry partnerships are mutually beneficial for companies and the NIH

• How companies have worked with the NIH (success stories and partnership examples)

• Next steps – points of contact, partnering mechanisms, licensing

***Event is expected to sell out and NOT ALL RVSPS ARE GUARANTEED ENTRY into the event due to the limited attendee capacity offered on the platform.