SUBJECT:  Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) Process Committee

UCSD is presently engaged in a review of various university-industry interactions and the transfer of research materials is an area which has been identified by the campus Technology Transfer Advisory Committee for further study. The number of agreements handled by the University for the transfer of research materials (biological, human tissue, chemical compounds, etc.) both into and out of the campus has grown rapidly in the last several years (volume last year exceeded 400). Since the prompt negotiation of agreements to facilitate the transfer of such materials can be a critical element in the progress of a research project, the Chancellor has charged a group of both faculty and administrators to make sure that our policies and procedures serve the best interests of the campus.

The members of the group are as follows:

Dr. Jeffrey Chang, Reproductive Medicine
Dr. Maarten Chrispeels, Biology
Dr. Nigel Crawford, Biology (alternate)
Dr. Daniel Donoghue, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Dr. Martin Haas, Cancer Center
Dr. Willimam Kuperman, Marine Physical Laboratory, Chair

Administrative Support:

Linda Dale, Office of Contract and Grant Administration
Alan Paau, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Services

The charge of the group is to review current practices and recommend any changes that may be appropriate as noted below:

1. Review of current processes for:

- Transfer of materials to UCSD from commercial entities;
- Transfer of materials to UCSD from non-profit entities;
- Transfer of UCSD materials to commercial entities;
- Transfer of UCSD materials to non-profit entities;

2. Internal administrative practices associated with MTA transfers.

3. Guidelines for recovering the costs of providing materials to outside entities.

4. Information available to and communication with researchers and administrators.

Group discussions are ongoing and you are encouraged to provide any specific comments or suggestions to the group members for consideration at upcoming meetings. Please do not hesitate to contact group representatives individually or email your comments directly to Dr. William Kuperman, Chair (wkuperman@ucsd), with a copy to Linda Dale (ldale@ucsd).

                                                Linda Dale
                                                Director