How can we help?

Researchers at Zucker Institute have access to funding opportunities, mentorship from experienced professionals, collaborative environments, and support for intellectual property management and commercialization, helping transform innovations into practical solutions.

We offer services such as commercial viability assessments, intellectual property support, market research, funding assistance, business planning, mentorship, prototyping resources, regulatory guidance, and post-launch support to accelerate the commercialization of healthcare and life sciences innovations.

We facilitate partnerships between researchers and industry professionals through joint research projects, licensing agreements, and technology transfer initiatives, aiming to accelerate innovation and provide mutual benefits.

Industry-sponsored research provides funding, access to industry experts, opportunities for working in commercially relevant areas, publication, expanded learning for students, potential for licensing and commercialization, and relationship building for future research.

Engaging in technology commercialization allows researchers to make a societal impact, achieve personal fulfillment, gain recognition and financial rewards, secure additional funding, meet research contract obligations, and create educational and job opportunities for students.

MUSC’s IP policy (MUSC NetID required to access) applies to inventions within your field of expertise, regardless of when they were created. Compliance with this policy is required for all employees and students.

You will receive an acknowledgment email with a case number. The Zucker Institute will evaluate the patent and commercial potential of your invention and may contact you for more details. Expect an update within a few weeks.

Detailed descriptions enable the Zucker Institute to thoroughly assess the patentability and licensing potential of your invention. All provided information is kept confidential.

Public disclosure includes communicating your invention to non-MUSC individuals through published manuscripts, conference presentations, webpages, grand rounds, dissertations, and funded government grants.

Inventors have one year from the date of public disclosure to file a patent application in the U.S. After this period, patenting the invention is no longer possible.

These agreements protect proprietary information before sharing it with others. Without them, even casual conversations can be considered public disclosures, which could limit IP protections.

The Zucker Institute identifies potential commercial partners through various resources and prepares marketing materials. They contact companies to license the invention, secure research sponsorship, hire students, or engage you as a consultant.

• Time commitment to develop and commercialize your invention
• Required team skills
• Market size and potential segments
• Development steps and costs
• Protection of proprietary information

The Zucker Institute can assist you in evaluating these factors. Submit your invention disclosure or contact us to start collaborating.

Start-ups can be highly rewarding, translating academic inventions into commercial products, attracting high-quality faculty, retaining talent at MUSC, and promoting local economic development and job creation. Benefits are shared among the inventor, university, business, and broader investment community. Start-ups are particularly encouraged when a cohesive package of technologies is needed to commercialize the opportunity.

The majority of MUSC inventions each year meet the criteria for a successful start-up. Generally, only about 10% of start-ups survive the first year. The Zucker Institute provides resources, mentorship, and experience to improve your chances of success.

Accelerators assist first-time entrepreneurs in overcoming challenges, focusing on rapid growth. They often have a competitive application process, require investment for equity, and provide intensive mentorship and networking, culminating in a “demo day.”

• Innosphere Ventures (opens in a new tab)
• SCbio Drive (opens in a new tab)
• CREW (Coaching & Resources for Entrepreneurial Women)
• XLerator Network (opens in a new tab)

The Zucker Institute offers various workshops, mentorship programs, and networking events to help you prepare for accelerator programs. Contact us to learn more about available resources and opportunities.

We prioritize partnerships with companies interested in commercializing our inventors’ innovations. Depending on the innovation’s type and stage of development, partnerships may involve:

• Licensing an innovation
• Sponsoring further research
• Engaging as a consultant

Industry partners should review our intellectual property, licensing agreements, and research collaboration policies. Our team will guide you through the necessary procedures for collaboration.

Browse the full portfolio on the MUSC technology portal (opens in a new tab).

Our licensing managers utilize various strategies to identify potential licensees, including leveraging existing relationships, conducting market research, and attending industry events. We also promote inventions through our website and direct outreach efforts.

Studies have shown that the majority of licenses result from contacts already known by the inventors or ZI staff. We also identify licensees through market research, industry events, and existing relationships.

Finding a potential licensee can vary in duration, depending on factors such as the innovation’s attractiveness and stage of development. Most university inventions require substantial commercialization investment, impacting the time to attract a licensee.

Industry partners’ active involvement significantly improves the chances of finding a licensee. Utilize your industry networks to identify potential licensees and communicate the technical advantages of the innovation.

Yes, an invention can be licensed to multiple companies, either non-exclusively or exclusively for specific applications or geographies.