Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer

We are the department under the OVPR that handles intellectual property management, startup and innovation support, and technology commercialization. Our office was formed to cohesively provide services that replace the activities of the Office of Technology Commercialization and Industry Engagement and Lab2Market which are no longer active at Baylor.

We have five core functions: 

1. Providing resources and services to support applied research and technology development 
2. Offering programs to equip aspiring entrepreneurs and launch startups 
3. Pursuing intellectual property protection 
4. Connecting research and innovation with commercial success 
5. Strengthening our local technology and innovation ecosystems.

We ask that you submit an invention disclosure form (IDF) and any relevant materials (manuscript drafts, proposals, presentations, etc.) to our office. Once this is submitted, we will evaluate whether the disclosed invention, technology, or innovation can be legally protected, and we will assess the market opportunity for it. Based on these initial assessments, we will pursue intellectual property protection and devise a commercialization plan that aligns with the nature of the invention, institutional priorities, and your goals.

Some common pathways include: 

1. Licensing the technology to an existing commercial organization (i.e. industry or startup) 
2. Developing industry partnerships to pursue sponsored research 
3. Licensing the technology to a faculty or graduate student-led startup to spin out the new business.

If you believe that you have developed intellectual property, or you have questions related to intellectual property or the commercial relevance of your work, you should contact our office. Per the Baylor Intellectual Property Policy, all faculty are required to report the development of intellectual property within 30 days to the OVPR. Baylor-owned intellectual property results from research funded by a grant, contract, or direct support from Baylor including the use of Baylor facilities and equipment.

If you have questions about whether your work has resulted in intellectual property, you should contact our office, and a member of our team will discuss this with you. If it is determined that you have developed intellectual property, we work with the Office of General Counsel and external counsel to determine and pursue the best course of legal protection available for the disclosed intellectual property. To learn more please visit our website.