Division of Research & Economic Development
OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report
YEAR IN REVIEW
A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR I am pleased to report that FY 2020 was a very good year. Collectively, we made significant progress in reaching all four of our Strategic Goals: In-Reach, Technology Licensing, Economic Development, and Best Practices. Having completed the list of our strategic tasks during a 3-year Phase I: Start-up, OTT is moving on to Phase II: Growth. The University set new records in: new IP Disclosures (innovations), New U.S. Patent Applications, Issued U.S. Patents, Start-up Companies (albeit a record tie), and Tech Transfer Agreements - and raised the bar once again for FY 2021. OTT’s proactive in-reach programs, led by our Innovation Works (I-Works) Initiative, has continued to make a difference in FY 2020, throughout the university, with 24 Awards to faculty/staff across 13 departments and eight Schools, Colleges, and Divisions. In FY 2020, OTT published the inaugural issue of its Innovation Works Newsletter; held its second annual Innovation of the Year Awards and Celebration event, honoring 16 awardees; and spearheaded a very successful 10th Annual Morgan Innovation Day in Annapolis.
New Intellectual Property Disclosures FY 2015-2020 Trend
The OTT Team looks forward to aggressively implementing Phase II of its Strategic Plan over the next three years. The OTT Team will strive to maintain the high level of Innovation Outputs: IP Disclosures and New U.S. Patent Applications. We project our Innovation Outcomes: Tech Transfer Agreements, Issued U.S. Patents, and Start-up Companies will significantly rise as the increasing number of Morgan innovations mature, and move through the tech transfer pipeline. The progress made by the University in the technology transfer arena would not be possible without the strong support of Morgan’s leadership, university-wide engagement at the department level, and of course, our many innovators. Continued investment by the State of Maryland into Morgan’s research enterprise will spur continued innovation and economic development in the City and State, and lend gravitas to Morgan’s designation as "Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University."
New U.S. Patent Applications FY 2015-2020 Trend
As we move into Phase II of OTT’s Strategic Plan, this is a good time to reflect on a number of achievements during Phase I. A list of select achievements, under each of OTT’s four Strategic Goals, is provided below. Wayne Swann, Director of Technology Transfer
*New MD Law to Enhance OTT (0.5 FTE) **Full Funding Commenced
OTT PHASE I STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION: FY 2018-2020 Selected Achievements per OTT's Four Strategic Goals
IN REACH: CAMPUS INNOVATION PROGRAMS Established Innovation Works Initiative: Granted 61 Awards, with 51 I-GAP Awards for innovation development Initiated Morgan's Annual Innovation of the Year Awards to recognize and reward university-wide innovation Fostered Intellectual Property (IP) Disclosure submissions (innovations), at a rate of one every 15 days Launched OTT website: faculty resources; forms/information/guidance; and OTT publications Generated expansive university-wide participation in identifying & disclosing Morgan intellectual property TECHNOLOGY LICENSING: TECHNOLOGY PUSH & MARKET PULL Secured numerous non-disclosure and memorandum of understanding agreements with businesses Generated seven tech transfer options and licenses with Maryland businesses. Facilitated the formation of six start-up companies based on Morgan innovations Established Tech Push and Market Pull relationships with existing Maryland's companies-resulting in joint inventions Facilitated over $2.6 million in tech transfer related R&D funding ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY, REGION, & STATE Facilitated the Report, The Economic & Social Impact of Morgan State University Spearheaded Morgan Innovation Day in Annapolis to inform legislative stakeholders & highlight MSU innovation Joined with the PEARL to engage Maryland's aquaculture community to enhance innovations & tech transfer Engaged with Morgan Community Mile businesses to house Morgan's new start up companies Secured ongoing funding for OTT operations and programs BEST PRACTICES: MANAGEMENT OF UNIVERSITY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Facilitated the adoption of a new Intellectual Property Policy - Approved by Board of Regents Authored and implemented Morgan's Procedures for Patents and Technology Transfer Facilitated in a new Conflicts of Interest in Research & Development Policy - Approved by Board of Regents Assured adoption of University Procedures of the Conflict of Interest in Research & Development Established OTT as the "one stop shop" for Morgan intellectual property, tech transfer, and start up companies
VISION An urban university where: faculty and staff are recognized and rewarded for innovation, are well informed and actively engaged; a spectrum of new technologies are transferred to existing and new businesses to benefit the public; and the University's contributions to economic development and quality of life have a positive, measured and documented impact.
MISSION Facilitate the transfer of university technology and innovation to business and industry, foster local economic development and provide benefit to the public.
Calvin & Tina Tyler Hall Student Services Building New home of the Division of Research & Economic Development
The Economic and Social Impact of Morgan State University
In a 2018 economic and social impact study of the university, it was revealed that Morgan is a valuable economic engine, generating nearly $1 billion in financial impact to Maryland, $574 million within Baltimore City.
GOALS
VISION MISSION GOALS SPECIFIC TASKS OTT tasks are reviewed and updated annually to guide the office through the fulfillment of the strategic plan.
In the Office of Technology Transfer's (OTT) strategic plan, we established four major goals as cornerstones to support the office's mission statement to achieve our vision. The goals are: In Reach: Campus Innovation Programs Technology Licensing: Technology Push and Market Pull Economic Development: Benefit to the Community, Region, and State Best Practices: Management of University Intellectual Property
FISCAL YEAR 2020 INNOVATION METRICS The table below provides the FY 2020 end of year Morgan numerical data and updated comparative performance metrics per $10 million of university research expenditures based on the most recent Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) statistics. Morgan continues to surpass U.S. research universities when indexed to research and development expenditures. Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) Metrics for U.S. Research Universities - Calculated per R&D Expeditures
(1) Final FY 2020 Numbers. Based on $13,523,000 in R&D Expenditures for Morgan in FY 2019. Metrics per R&D expenditures rounded to 2 significant figures. (2) Averages of most recent 2018 AUTM data available for 162 US Research Universities - Metrics calculated and rounded to 2 significant figures. (3) Average Data of AUTM 2018 Statistics for JHU, JHU/APL, and USM - Rounded to 2 significant figures. (4) Rounded to whole number
Research dollars at work From FY 2018-FY 2020, the Office of Technology Transfer has facilitated $2.6 million in research and development funding.
TECHNOLOGY LICENSING
University-wide Representation
Morgan State University executed their second tech-transfer license agreement to a Morgan startup company, HaloCyTech, LLC. The company, established by MSU innovators, Dr. Viji Sitther, and Dr. Ben Tababatbai explores the diverse uses of cyanobacteria. From nutraceutical supplements, to natural organic pigments, and anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer natural products - the customer base for HaloCyTech, LLC. products is widespread. The team is looking to expand the use of the cyanobacteria and diversify what it can produce, while increasing production and enhancing efficiency.
27 Intellectual Property Disclosures
15
Departments
8
Schools & Colleges
INCREASING INNOVATION THROUGH UNIVERSITY IN-REACH PROGRAMS Through OTT’s strategic In-Reach Programs, the office is engaging individuals, departments and colleges/schools to: identify and document university innovations; provide informational presentations to departments/units; and assist with the development of technology transfer plans for campus units. In FY 2020, the Office of Technology Transfer hosted the 10th Annual Morgan Innovation Day in Annapolis, Maryland. This celebratory event showcased Morgan innovators representing each of the schools/colleges, and featured remarks from the Lt. Governor of Maryland and a number of State Delegates and Senators. This event serves, in part, as an annual innovation progress report on the State’s premier public urban research institution. It allowed the University to share research outcomes taking place campus-wide, in addition to highlighting the successes of the Office of Technology Transfer and the outlook for the office in the coming years.
10th Annual Innovation Day Celebration
Dr. Willie May & Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford
In addition, OTT published their inaugural Innovation Works newsletter. The newsletter features the stories of campus innovators and the drivers that lead them down the path of innovation. Each issue will highlight different innovators as well as provide an update on innovations and events taking place throughout campus. The office continued to assist campus units in the development of tech transfer plans to further innovation taking place on campus and in the greater Baltimore area. The Office of Technology Transfer continues to provide support of the Conflict of Interest (COI) Committee. The committee reviews faculty COI exemption requests for research and economic development activities, including those associated with faculty start-up companies, and makes recommendations for university exemptions under Morgan's COI Policies and Procedures. OTT also reports COI exemptions to the State Ethics Committee.
Innovation at Morgan Since receiving funding in 2018, the Office of Technology Transfer has received a new innovation every 15 days. In fiscal year 2020, OTT received an innovation every 13.5 days.
INNOVATION OF THE YEAR AWARDS The Office of Technology Transfer hosted the Second Annual Innovation of the Year Awards on October 24, 2019, to recognize, reward, and celebrate Morgan innovation.
2019 Innovation Award Recipients Life Science Bio-Product Production Using Halotolerant Fremyella Diplosiphon Dr. Viji Sitther, Dr. Behnam Tabatabai, Somayeh Fathabad Physical Science Building Occupant Tracking Dr. Kofi Nyarko, Samuel Mbugua, Christian Emiyah Diabetic Shoe & Custom Insole Dr. LaPorchia Davis Information Science Perceived Risk Hierarchy Method Dr. Lorece Edwards, Dr. Sabriya Dennis, Dr. Lawrence Brown, Dr. Ian Lindong Staff Innovator of the Year, Debbie Duran Instructional Innovator of the Year, Dr. Md Mahmudur Rahman Student Innovator of The Year, Amirreza Nickkar Recognition of Issued Patents U.S. Patent 10,253,974, Dr. Seong Lee U.S. Patent 10,333,260, Dr. Kofi Nyarko, Christian Emiyah, Samuel Mbugua
Innovation of the Year Award 2019 Awardees Awardees pictured with Provost Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, Dr. Willie May, VP of the Division of Research & Economic Development, and Wayne Swann, Director of Technology Transfer
INNOVATION WORKS (I-WORKS) INITIATIVE Translating Innovation into jobs
Innovation Works, the Office of Technology Transfer’s signature initiative, consists of four innovation, technology transfer, and economic development programs for university faculty, staff, students and the Morgan community. The overarching goal is translating innovation into local economic development opportunities and jobs. Throughout the year, OTT has partnered with a number of students, faculty, staff and community members to manifest projects and ideas, facilitate start-up businesses, and strengthen relationships within the Morgan community. The awarding of I-GAP grants to MSU innovators helps to facilitate transitioning results of laboratory research to the public, to generate societal value through new and improved products and services. The grants were awarded to faculty and staff members representing a diverse group of University departments and divisions looking to advance the University and greater Baltimore community.
24
I-Works Initiative Awards
8
13
Departments
INNOVATION WORKS HIGHLIGHTS I-GAP: Nineteen grants were awarded, representing a broad spectrum of innovation.
I-Works ISO "In-search-of": OTT worked with Morgan's University Innovation Fellows, supporting OTT's I-Works ISO Program - promoting innovation, tech transfer and student start-up companies.
Schools & Colleges Awarded
I-WORKS INITIATIVE PROGRAMS I-GAP • The Innovation Grant Assistance Program provides early stage grants (e.g. pre-TEDCO MII) to MSU inventors to further develop MSU innovations. I-Works ISO • Reaches out to both new and seasoned entrepreneurs, in-search-of innovations for new technology-based businesses. The
I-Works Community: PEARL Aquaculture Community: The PEARL resident tech transfer liaison coordinated projects to advance innovations in the State's aquaculture community, including technology assistance projects, joint industry inventions, PEARL aquaculture innovations, and I-GAP projects. Morgan Community Mile (MCM) Project: Local Function business space houses Cykloburn Technologies and HaloCyTech - Two Morgan start-up companies within the MCM. OTT is a Function member.
I-Start: New I-Start Center: Technology Transfer Center Model for School of Community Health & Policy, Community Health and Risk Management (CHARM).
program also works to connect and match Morgan students, graduating college seniors and advanced degree candidates with new and early stage companies in search of interns and employees. I-Works Community • Engages the Morgan Community Mile, the PEARL Aquaculture community and other regional and business communities to promote and enhance innovation. I-Start • Being developed for Pre-Incubator and Start-Up spaces for entrepreneurs and start-up companies, as well as students and I-Start Centers.
Morgan State University Division of Research & Economic Development Office of Technology Transfer Earl S. Richardson Library, Suite 207 443.885.1003 www.morgan.edu/technologytransfer