At a time when regional economic stimulus is needed, Syracuse University College of
Law's New Technology Law Center (SUNTEC) is supporting the launch of
Technology Commercialization Clinics (TCCs) across the state. On Jan. 28, leaders
from Niagara University, the Rochester Institute of Technology and Stony Brook
University will visit the SU College of Law for a 10 a.m. ceremony and discussions
about the new TCCs at their schools. The TCCs seek to transform research and
inventions into marketable products for regional companies and drive growth in the
area.
This new model consists of utilizing graduate programs in law, engineering, business
and other disciplines to provide technical, marketing and legal research and analysis
to early-stage companies and universities endeavoring to bring new technologies to
market. Participation in such a program offers graduate students in New York state a
unique opportunity to study technology commercialization in a real-world setting
while providing client organizations with valuable research and analysis.
The new New York state TTCs will be modeled on the existing SU College of Law
Technology Commercialization Research Center (TCRC) established at SU College of
Law by law professor Ted Hagelin more than 20 years ago. The TCRC was the first
program in the country specifically designed to train law and other graduate-level
students in the field of technology commercialization. The development of the new
TCCs is the direct result of two $125,000 grants obtained by Assemblyman William
Magnarelli (D-120).
"The expansion of the Technology Commercialization Clinics to Niagara University,
RIT and Stony Brook University is a great example of institutions of higher education
partnering with businesses to enhance local job markets and establish connections that
will encourage graduating students to stay in Upstate New York," says Magnarelli. "I
am proud to have secured $250,000 in grants to develop this program. All of New
York state will continue to benefit from the research and analysis these students offer
to homegrown companies and laboratories as they study technology
commercialization."
"We are very grateful for Assemblyman Magnarelli's continued support of this
important statewide economic development initiative," says Hagelin. "We are pleased
at the willingness of other universities in New York state to create a network of
Technology Commercialization Clinics to support new technologies and promote
economic growth across the state."
"Niagara University is excited to be part of this important initiative," says Steven
Mayer, director of Niagara University's technology commercialization clinic. "The
TCC can be an important tool to assist in the continued economic development of the
city of Niagara Falls and the Western New York region."
"RIT is delighted to participate in the new SUNTEC-developed Technology
Commercialization Clinic. We have been actively involved in technology
commercialization activities for many years, but SUNTEC provides a unique
opportunity for us to collaborate, benchmark and learn within a network of similarly
motivated universities," says Richard DeMartino, who is the director of the Simone
Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at RIT. "The Rochester region, which has
struggled with the declines of its traditional employers, has a wide range of unique
technology portfolios. The TCC serves as a dynamic program seeking to
commercialize these activities."
"The Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University aligns the TCC concept with
direct investments in research infrastructure, technology development and workforce
training," says Joseph Scaduto, assistant director of business development at the New
York State Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University. "The unique business
development capabilities and customized assistance the TCC can deploy on behalf of
emerging technology companies are critical to this comprehensive strategy meant to
advance an innovation-based economy throughout New York state."
Since its inception, the SU TCRC has undertaken more than 100 technology
commercialization research projects on behalf of large, medium, small and start-up
companies, universities, federal research laboratories and technology development
organizations. The grant is funded by the Empire State Development Corp.
Syracuse University College of Law also serves as the NYSTAR-designated New York
State Science & Technology Law Center.
For more information, visit http://nys-stlc.syr.edu/.
