PTW13 Lunchtime Series: The Future of Tech Transfer

This lunchtime series will feature a panel discussion on some interesting examples of Tech Transfer success stories. We'll take a look at companies that took regional academic research to build their businesses as well as how the various universities focus their programs. Panelists include John Swartley, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Technology Transfer at the University of Pennsylvania; Todd Johnson, MD, MBA, President of CytoVas, LLC, an early-stage, in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) company; and Robert McGrath, Ph.D. Associate Vice Provost for Technology Commercialization at Drexel. The discussion will be moderated by Christopher Laing, MRCVS, Ph.D., Vice President of Science and Technology at University City Science Center.

Topics we'll be exploring:

Tech transfer programs aren't new, but the focus on entrepreneurial spin-outs have grown in recent years. Why the greater trend? Is this a faculty-only story, or are students getting involved? Where does Philadelphia fit in the national or global tech transfer conversation?
What are a few practical efforts that would grow the tech transfer community here?