Technology Development Office

BC Cancer has a provincial mandate to lead cancer control across British Columbia.
What we do

The Technology Development Office (TDO) helps BC Cancer fulfil its mandate by supporting:

  • Discovery: finding new knowledge
  • Innovation: introducing new ideas, tools or approaches
  • Technology development: moving technology from the lab (bench) to patient care (bedside)

Current cancer treatments that focus on late-stage disease alone cannot achieve long-term cancer control. For this reason, BC Cancer prioritizes translational research - research that turns scientific discoveries into real-world solutions. This includes new methods for early cancer detection and treatments that work at earlier stages, when outcomes are often better.

To support this work, BC Cancer established the Technology Development Office to manage intellectual property and support commercialization.

 

 

The Technology Development Office works closely with researchers to move promising discoveries and inventions toward real-world use. We manage relationships between scientists, clinicians and industry partners to help turn research discoveries into new technologies and innovations.

To meet these internal and external needs, the TDO follows these guiding principles:

  • Transfer technology from researchers to the clinic
  • Ensure fairness and equity for scientists, clinicians and external partners
  • Protect basic science and the scientific process while transferring technology
  • Act as a networking hub connecting industry with BC Cancer's research and technology expertise
Collaborations and affiliations

BC Cancer has formal partnerships with universities and research institutions across British Columbia. These collaborations strengthen research, development and innovation to prevent, control and treat cancer.

BC Cancer is affiliated with:

Together, these organizations advance research into what causes cancer, how to improve treatments, and how to control and cure the disease.

Technology development services

The Technology Development Office provides a wide range of services to BC Cancer scientists.

Research agreements and contracts

The TDO drafts, negotiates and executes agreements between BC Cancer, its researchers, and external institutions or commercial partners.

Individual scientists and BC Cancer staff are not usually authorized to sign agreements on their own. Doing so may create legal risk. The TDO is responsible for preparing and signing:

  • Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
  • Material transfer agreements (MTAs)
  • Service agreements
  • Collaborative research agreements (CRAs)
Research partnering

The TDO serves as a networking and information resource for BC Cancer scientists seeking industry expertise. We help connect researchers with partners who share common interests and support collaborative projects. We will also assist in identifying private and government funding opportunities.

Technology screening

The TDO helps researchers assess new technologies to determine their feasibility and commercial potential.

Intellectual property protection

The TDO maintains a complete record of all BC Cancer intellectual property. Our team supports researchers by protecting IP through patents, copyrights and trademark registrations.

Technology commercialization

In addition to maintaining a list of available BC Cancer technologies, the TDO promotes these innovcations to industry. This includes opportunities for licensing, collaborative research and joint development.

Start-up assistance

The TDO supports the creation of knowledge-based start-ups by identifying commercial opportunities. We help connect BC Cancer scientists with experienced managers and potential investors.

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Invention disclosure

The invention disclosure form supports both the inventor and the TDO in clearly describing a new technology and its potential uses. The form captures details such as:

  • What the invention does
  • Stage of development
  • Barriers to further development
  • Advantages and disadvantages compared with similar technologies

Completing this form also assigns intellectual property rights from the inventor to BC Cancer.

This disclosure is reviewd by the BC Cancer Patent Committee, a group of senior scientists with expertise in intellectual property and commercialization. The committee may recommend one of the following actions:

  • Do not to pursue the invention
  • Continue scientific or clinical development
  • Protect the invention and begin commercialization

Please send the completed invention disclosure form (electronic copy and signed original) to:

The inventor and the appropriate department head must sign the form.

Contact Ron Lauener or Patrick Rebstein to request the disclosure template.

Non-disclosure agreement

A non-disclosure agreement (NDA), also called a confidentiality agreement, is a contract that requires the recipient of confidential information to keep it private. If the recipient discloses the information publicly, they may be sued for breach of contract.

An NDA should be signed whenever confidential information is shared. This includes:

  • New employees
  • Visitors with detailed laboratory access
  • Anyone receiving business plans or other confidential documents

Important: Clearly mark all confidential materials as 'Confidential' so they are protected under the NDA.

Contact the TDO to request a non-disclosure agreement.

Material transfer agreement (MTA)

A material transfer agreement governs the transfer of research materials from an owner to another institution for research purposes.

Materials may include:

  • Cell lines and cultures
  • Plasmids, nucleotides and proteins
  • Bacteria and transgenic animals
  • Pharmaceuticals and other chemicals

MTAs typically define:‎

  • The materials being transferred
  • How the recipient may use the materials
  • Ownership of inventions and research results
  • Confidentiality requirements
  • Access to reports and publications
  • Warranty limitations and indemnification

Source: Brian Leslie, AUTM Educational Series: Material Transfer Agreements, 1998.‎

Contact the TDO to request a material transfer agreement.

Policies

All BC Cancer employees should note that the PHSA Intellectual Property Policy applies to technology transfer activities at all BC Cancer sites.

If you have questions, please contact the Technology Development Office.

 
Why we do it

TDO's vision is to contribute to the development of Intellectual Property created by the scientists, clinicians and technologists of BC Cancer 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 BC Cancer 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 BC Cancer 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, BC Cancer has been a part of the technology transfer trend with the development of patents, licenses and spin-off companies. However, until recently BC Cancer has not had a co-ordinated approach to technology transfer. In 1998, the BC Cancer Foundation and BC Cancer Executive and Boards of Directors identified the need to support Intellectual Property development and technology transfer. As a result, the Technology Development Office was formed in September 1998.

Who we are

​​Sarah Jane Lee, MBA, BSc 

Director 

sjlee@bccancer.bc.ca​

Sarah Jane Lee joined the Technology Development Office (TDO) in June 1999. As director, she leads the identification and assessment of intellectual property with commercial potential. She also supports the development of business models that help move discoveries to market.

Sarah earned a bachelor of science in human nutrition from the University of British Columbia in 1995 and a master of business administration from the University of Saskatchewan in 1998.

Alongside her role at BC Cancer, Sarah managed SmartStart Business Resources from 2000 to 2003 and continues to provide consulting services to early-stage companies. She focuses on business planning and management consulting and serves annually as a mentor and judge for the TELUS New Ventures competition. 

Patrick Rebstein, PhD 

Senior manager, intellectual property

prebstein@bccancer.bc.ca​

Patrick Rebstein joined the TDO in July 2004. He works with BC Cancer scientists and clinicians to support the scientific development of intellectual property and help move discoveries toward clinical application.

Patrick earned a master of science in medical biophysics from the Ontario Cancer Institute (University of Toronto) and a PhD in microbiology and immunology from the University of British Columbia.

He brings more than seven years of industry experience in drug discovery. Before joining BC Cancer, he worked at Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals and later at Active Pass Pharmaceuticals, where he became director of drug discovery. His background helps guide early-stage research through development, translation to the clinic, and commercial assessment. 

James Schlosser, MSc 

Senior manager, business development and contracts

jschlosser@bccancer.bc.ca

James Schlosser joined the TDO in 2009 as an officer, business development and contracts and was promoted to senior manager in 2012.

Before joining BC Cancer, James completed the WestLink Internship program, with placements at Lions Capital, BC Cancer (TDO) and Perceptronix Medical Inc., a BC Cancer spin‐off company. He has also worked at UBC Wine Research Centre/AGCanada as a project coordinator and viticulture research technician.

James holds a BSc in biology from the University of Victoria, a BSc (Honours) in oenology and viticulture, and an MSc in biology from Brock University.

Ron Lauener, PhD 

Technology manager

rlauener@bccancer.bc.ca

Ron Lauener joined the TDO in December 2002 as a scientific development officer. In his role as technology manager, he works with researchers and clinicians to support the scientific development of intellectual property, advance translational research, and strengthen commercial potential.

Ron earned a BSc in chemistry from Simon Fraser University, followed by an MSc in genetics and a PhD in experimental medicine from the University of British Columbia.

He previously worked at Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals as a senior scientist, where he led several pre-clinical drug discovery projects focused on small-molecule therapeutics. He also served as divisional leader for the biochemistry group. Ron has more than five years of industry experience translating discovery research into clinical proof-of-concept.

Other staff

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