In the new millennium, the university hopes to firmly establish itself as a premier center for technology transfer. To oversee that effort, Todd T. Sherer, Ph.D. , has been appointed OHSU's new director of Technology and Research Collaborations . Sherer will be responsible for planning, managing and coordinating technology transfer as well as providing leadership strategies for corporate collaborations and establishing start-up companies. The Technology and Research Collaborations office at OHSU manages the university's intellectual property rights, markets properties and forms agreements with potential partners. In the wake of a new discovery, the Technology and Research Collaborations office works with the inventors to further develop the idea and find an appropriate licensee to develop new products.
Revenues produced from the technology go to fund other research and support education.
The technology that comes through our office varies from antibodies, reagents and enzymes that can cure disease to drug discovery tools and new diagnostic therapies. He also would like to further develop and improve policies that impact research and technology transfer on campus. His long-range goals include facilitating local and regional economic development efforts by focusing on new licensing and company activities in the state. He also hopes to work with other members of the business community to develop an environment that is more supportive of new and emerging growth companies, particularly in the areas of biotechnology, bioengineering and bioinformatics. OHSU Provost Lesley Hallick is encouraged by Sherer's enthusiasm for the program.