“Transformative discoveries, inventions, and therapies often come from small beginnings” this is the motto of Champ Gupton’s office at the University of North Carolina Office of Technology Commercialization (known as the OTC). Listen as Champ shares what the OTC is and what the Office of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development branded by the University Community as Innovate Carolina, does for faculty, staff, and student entrepreneurs.
Champ has held the position of Commercialization Manager of Technology Commercialization at the OTC since May 2016. Before joining OTC, he worked as a technology licensing manager at Ohio State University for four years, managing intellectual property (IP) matters in medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, chemistry, and biochemical engineering. Champ is also a member of the Association of University Technology Managers and the Licensing Executive Society.
Has the Bayh-Dole Act impacted your University? Listen in as Lisa and Champ discuss IEED and the startups affiliated with the UNC, the structure of the OTC in terms of business, licensing and startups, his team, and the impact the Bayh-Dole Act has had on innovations in the U.S. and Universities in general.
Champ gives us a rundown on the average number of inventions, patents and startups his office is seeing per year, the AIA and how it has changed his offices’ approach to the patent and how his office handles litigation. Additionally, they discuss the University’s corporate partners and the role they play in technology transfer at UNC.
Every industry has challenges, and tech transfer is no exception. Listen as Champ shares the most significant issues his department faces, the role AUTM and other organizations play, the importance of credentialing, and what he would ask for if he had three wishes for UNC.
In This Episode:
[02:01] Welcome to the show, Champ!
[02:15] Champ shares his background and what led him into the Tech Transfer field.
[03:08] How did you end up here in North Carolina?
[04:58] They discuss some of the successful IEED startups affiliated with the University.
[06:28] Champ speaks about the structure of the OTC in terms of licensing, business and startups
[08:20] How large is your team? Combined with Innovate Carolina?
[09:11] Champ shares his view on what impact the Bayh-Dole Act has had on innovation in the U.S and Universities.
[10:23] Champ speaks about the average number of inventions, patents, and startups that he sees per year.
[11:26] Did the enactment of the AIA in 2012 change your office’s approach to the patent process?
[14:45] Champ shares how his office approaches litigation and how they defend infringed patents.
[16:24] They discuss the procedure for vetting invention disclosures and how they decide whether to pursue patent protection on a particular invention disclosure.
[19:47] Does your office do a lot of foreign filing or international patents?
[20:32] Champ speaks about corporate partners and the role they play in technology transfer at his University.
[21:58] Champ shares about their partner Pinnacle Hill and what they bring to the table.
[22:57] Do you partner with any philanthropic organizations like Gates Foundation and Parker Institute?
[23:35] Champ describes some of the things he would change if he could go back in time.
[25:12] Champ speaks about some of the significant success stories that he is proud of, personally and with the OTC.
[27:04] What would you say are some of the most significant challenges your office is facing?
[30:20] Champ says that, unfortunately, they do not have any programs to assist women, inventors, or entrepreneurs, but they support them and have some real success stories.
[31:13] What is your view on the role of AUTM and other organizations? Do they provide value?
[33:23] Champ shares his insight into credentialing and where he believes it makes a difference.
[35:00] If you could have three wishes granted for UNC, what would they be, and why?
[36:57] Champ, thank you so much for being on the show today!
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