Technology Assessment


As research funding rises, so too does the number of new discoveries disclosed to the office. Ensuring that each technology is managed in a consistent and efficient manner given this rise is a top priority. With this in mind, OTT has embarked on initiatives geared towards streamlining and improving the disclosure review process, including a new commercialization evaluation report (CER) and team review process.

Below is an overview of our new triage process. View our commercialization evaluation report template.


CER Report #1 – initial review of technologies

Written report

  • Prepare report on all new technologies within 3 months of disclosure
  • Provide copy of report to faculty for review and feedback
  • At 4 months, all "active" technologies should have tech brief posted

Group decision

  • Oral presentation and discussion on all technologies within 3 months except: research tools, already filed (emergency) provisional, or "other party" technologies
  • Every 3 months group review for "Hold & Revisit" technologies from the prior quarter
  • Semi-annually review disclosures that are research tools received during that period

CER Report #2 – investment decision

Written report

  • Due 2 months prior to conversion on all unlicensed technologies
  • Update CER report #1 plus include:
    • marketing/project development plan
    • note any 3rd party contact
    • specify information required from investigator to support decision
  • Provide copy of report to faculty for review and feedback

Group decision

  • Each month an oral presentation and discussion of technologies with patent conversion & national phase due dates

CER Report #3 – investment decision

Written report

  • Due 3 months before national phase on all unlicensed technologies
  • Update CER report #2
  • Consider utilizing outside consultants for CER report #3

Group decision

  • Each month an oral presentation and discussion of technologies with patent conversion & national phase due dates