LifeArc and AUTM forge international partnership to provide training for scholars in technology transfer

London, UK, and Gainesville, FL (USA), 30 August 2017 — LifeArc, the medical research charity formerly known as MRC Technology, has partnered with The Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) Foundation to offer a competitive program that will provide essential training for scientists seeking a career in life sciences technology transfer. This joint initiative emphasises the commitment of both organisations to improve access to the technology transfer profession.

“LifeArc’s generous funding and participation has made it possible for five UK scholars to gain a rich training experience provided through the AUTM Fellows program,” said Chris Yochim, Chairman of the AUTM Foundation. “Our collaboration supports the AUTM mission to advance academic technology transfer globally.”

The AUTM-LifeArc technology transfer program pairs UK life-science graduates and post-doctoral students with an experienced technology transfer mentor who will help them prepare for a career in technology transfer. Each successful Fellow has received a one-year AUTM membership with access to AUTM’s Technology Transfer Practice Manual (TTPM), which follows a core syllabus of educational webinars covering such topics as Basics of Technology Transfer, Invention Disclosures – From Cradle to Licensing, Basic Patenting, Marketing, and Negotiation. Fellows will also be funded to attend two major AUTM meetings in the US which draw 2,000 attendees from around the world, and offer over 80 educational sessions and significant networking opportunities.

“As a medical research charity, LifeArc works to identify, protect and manage promising scientific research so it can be developed into treatments and diagnostics for patients. By supporting the technology transfer professionals of the future we can increase our charitable impact as more science projects are effectively progressed,” said Andrew Farquharson, Executive Director, Technology Transfer at LifeArc.