Although most university TTOs acknowledge their mission of advancing academic research to benefit society and ensuring public access to university innovations, there is currently no effective measure of licensing success that gauges this central aspect of research effectiveness. The Access Metrics Initiative, developed by Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) in Berkeley, CA, seeks to change that. The Access Metrics Index has been designed to measure the dissemination of university innovation and to provide research institutions with a mechanism to monitor and evaluate their progress towards this strategic goal.
In collaboration with TTO directors and experts in IP law, UAEM has composed a Pilot Survey for Technology Transfer Offices 2009 to gather input from TTOs on the successful implementation of policies and licensing provisions that ensure broad access to university-derived technologies. The pilot survey is focused on technologies that affect human health — particularly those classified as diagnostics, prophylactics, therapeutics, and medical devices. In the future, the Access Metrics Initiative survey will expand to include information regarding access policies and practices. The deadline to submit survey data is January 29, 2010.
Source: Universities Allied for Essential Medicines