TDO's vision is to contribute to the development of Intellectual Property (IP) created by the scientists, clinicians and technologists of the BC Cancer Agency by protecting the IP through patenting and other means with the goal of improving patient outcomes through the application of new knowledge. The role of the TDO is to maximize commercial opportunities without inhibiting the scientific process. Both the inventors and the BCCA share in the benefits of the commercialization process. When breakthrough technologies are identified, TDO nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit of the scientists and research clinicians at the BCCA and encourages and assists them to actively participate in the spin-off companies that emerge. Universities, hospitals and corporations are all involved in the development of new ideas that lead to new innovations, products and services. Over the past twenty years, Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan have established sophisticated processes to transfer ideas from academic institutions and hospitals into industry. This transfer is done primarily by Technology Transfer Offices and involves a number of methods including licensing agreements, joint ventures or start-up of new "spin-off" companies.
In 1998, Canadian research institutions received over 13 million dollars (US) in licensing income and 58 start-up companies were formed. In the same year, licensing agreements in the US generated $33.5 billion in economic activity and supported 280,000 jobs. Many of the technology transfer patents result in products such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology products, software programs, and agricultural products that both enhance the lives of people and provide economic benefits for the universities and hospitals.
Since the 1980's the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA) has been a part of the technology transfer trend with the development of patents, licenses and spin-off companies. However, until recently the BCCA has not had a co-ordinated approach to technology transfer. In 1998, the BC Cancer Foundation (BCCF) and BCCA Executive and Boards of Directors identified the need to support Intellectual Property development and technology transfer. As a result, the Technology Development Office (TDO) was formed in September 1998.
