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AUTM on the Air

AUTM on the Air

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AUTM on the AIR is the weekly podcast that brings you conversations about the impact of research commercialization and the people who make it happen. Join us for interviews with patent and licensing professionals, innovators, entrepreneurs, and tech transfer leaders on the issues and trends that matter most.

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Episodios
  • The Price of Patents: How New Tax Proposals Could Transform IP Strategy with Erin Daly

    The Price of Patents: How New Tax Proposals Could Transform IP Strategy with Erin Daly
    Oct 1 2025

    A proposed shift in U.S. patent policy is sparking debate about the future of intellectual property. The idea on the table is a value-based tax that would replace, or sit on top of, the USPTO’s traditional flat-fee system. Instead of paying predictable maintenance fees, patent owners could face annual charges tied to the assessed value of their inventions. This move would dramatically change how portfolios are managed and funded.

    To walk us through the implications, we’re joined by Erin M. Daly, Ph.D., Esq., founder of Daly Law & Strategy. Erin started out in organic chemistry before moving into patent law, and she’s spent her career working with biotech companies and universities on everything from early-stage research to clinical programs. That combination of lab background and legal know-how gives her a practical view of how changes in patent policy land on the ground.

    We discuss why putting a dollar value on patents is never straightforward and how a tax like this could create big headaches for industries that depend on large portfolios, like biotech, semiconductors, and emerging green technologies. We also look at what startups and universities might face if they’re hit with new costs long before their patents generate any revenue.


    In This Episode:

    [01:57] The proposed value-based patent tax is outlined and contrasted with current USPTO fees.

    [02:50] Erin explains how the new system would resemble a property tax on intellectual property.

    [03:49] The U.S. has historically treated patents as a right supported by fees, not as taxable assets.

    [04:42] The proposal is still at the idea stage with no formal rule or bill introduced.

    [06:08] Patent valuation challenges are described, including subjectivity and lack of comparables.

    [08:07] Legal questions emerge about USPTO authority, due process, and potential litigation.

    [10:44] Erin outlines compliance concerns, audits, and paperwork burdens if the IRS were involved.

    [12:49] Biotech and pharma are identified as sectors most at risk under a value-based tax.

    [13:45] Semiconductor and AI industries could face massive valuation tracking costs.

    [14:40] Green tech companies may abandon patents if taxed before commercialization.

    [15:59] Strategic steps for tech transfer offices and companies to assess exposure are discussed.

    [17:39] Trade secrets may become more appealing as an alternative to patents in some cases.

    [18:24] Companies might restructure portfolios or shift filings internationally to reduce risk.

    [20:45] Erin emphasizes the importance of monitoring Congress, Federal Register updates, and IRS guidance.

    [22:55] Coalition groups and bar associations begin mobilizing to oppose the tax proposal.

    [23:33] Early legal challenges are expected to test the limits of USPTO authority and valuation disputes.

    [25:26] We close with a reminder that patent costs are under increasing scrutiny.


    Resources:

    AUTM

    Daly Law & Strategy

    Erin M. Daly, Ph.D. - LinkedIn

    Daly Law & Strategy - Facebook

    USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office)

    Federal Register

    BIO (Biotechnology Innovation Organization)

    Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO)
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    26 m
  • The AUTM Better World Project Revisited: An Updated Look at Technology Transfer's Global Impact

    The AUTM Better World Project Revisited: An Updated Look at Technology Transfer's Global Impact
    Sep 24 2025
    How do discoveries in a university lab make their way into everyday life? That question sits at the heart of AUTM’s Better World Project. When it first launched almost 20 years ago, it was just a small booklet with a handful of stories. Today, it’s grown into a global showcase with more than 600 examples of how technology transfer changes lives. In this episode, we’re taking another look at the project, what’s new, and why it continues to matter.I’m joined by RK Narayanan, Senior Director of Business Development and Technology Transfer at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Since 2017, RK has been leading partnerships and collaborations there, but his path stretches across both research and commercialization. He earned a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Arizona and an MBA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Earlier in his career, he held research roles at Harvard Medical School and MIT before stepping into technology management at Illinois, where he oversaw more than 200 innovations in the life sciences. He brings a strong focus on value creation and mentorship to his work in tech transfer.Also joining us is Parag Vasekar, Business Development and Licensing Manager for Physical Sciences at Purdue Research Foundation’s Office of Technology Commercialization. Parag’s training covers the full spectrum of materials science. He holds degrees from Pune University in India, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Central Florida, where he earned his PhD. His career has spanned both academia and industry, and today he plays a key role in evaluating technologies and shaping licensing agreements at Purdue. He also serves as co-chair of AUTM’s Better World Project Committee, giving him an inside view of how the initiative has expanded and adapted over time.Together, RK and Parag walk us through the growth of the Better World Project from those early printed pages to today’s award-winning stories. We’ll talk about standout innovations like UMass Amherst’s PFAS-destroying water purification system, the artificial pancreas, and breakthrough cancer treatments. More importantly, we’ll hear why this project isn’t just about showcasing innovation, but about showing the human impact of university research on communities worldwide.In This Episode:[01:30] RK’s career path is highlighted, from research at Harvard and MIT to overseeing 200 innovations at Illinois.[02:00] Parag’s academic and professional journey is detailed, with expertise in materials science and licensing.[03:12] The Better World Project has grown from hundreds to more than 600 innovation stories.[04:57] Examples like the Honeycrisp apple, N95 mask, and Google show university research impact.[05:39] The project began as a way to highlight outcomes of the Bayh-Dole Act and has since gone global.[06:14] From print to online multimedia, the growth reflects the maturing of the field.[07:01] Parag shares what drew him to the project and how it connects the “what” of tech transfer to the “why.”[09:09] RK explains how the project’s expansion shows the maturation of tech transfer beyond transactions.[10:14] Impact is measured in healthier patients, cleaner water, and stronger communities.[10:49] Lisa references Kate Zernike’s call for better storytelling in academic research.[11:22] Parag outlines the Better World Project Award process and the criteria for submissions.[12:29] The committee reviews entries before finalists go to the AUTM community for a vote.[13:26] UMass Amherst’s PFAS-destroying water purification system is highlighted as the 2025 winner.[14:38] Judging criteria have broadened from blockbuster drugs to more holistic measures of impact.[15:48] The committee looks for “aha” moments where research curiosity directly impacts lives.[16:33] RK explains how the project highlights long-term value beyond licensing revenue.[17:04] Examples like the artificial pancreas and PFAS system show impact measured in human terms.[18:22] Representation matters: the project spans medical devices, agriculture, and consumer products.[19:03] A story from Pakistan’s NUST about a vibrational wave therapy device illustrates global reach.[20:25] The project’s role during the pandemic highlighted universities’ rapid responses and collaboration.[21:35] Stories included rapid diagnostic tests, open-source ventilators, PPE solutions, and vaccines.[22:27] The key lesson: urgency and collaboration enable universities to meet global challenges.[23:08] Parag describes how multimedia storytelling broadened the project’s reach and emotional impact.[24:46] Barriers for smaller offices include staff limitations and lack of marketing expertise.[25:31] AUTM staff provide editorial support and encourage frequent submissions.[26:11] Parag shares the committee’s vision for the next five years, focusing on global reach and diversity.[27:05] New story categories now include AI, sustainability, ...
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    44 m
  • Research Integrity and the High Stakes for Technology Transfer with Michael R. Samardzija

    Research Integrity and the High Stakes for Technology Transfer with Michael R. Samardzija
    Sep 17 2025
    Most people hear the phrase “research misconduct” and think it’s an issue reserved for academia. But the truth is, it can rock the entire innovation ecosystem. One altered image in a dissertation might sound small, but it can snowball into collapsed companies, hundreds of millions in losses, and a deep erosion of trust in science itself.Joining me to dig into this reality is Michael R. Samardzija, Senior Counsel at Womble Bond Dickinson. Michael’s career is unique because he’s lived on both sides of the technology transfer world. He earned his PhD in Physiology and a Master’s in Exercise Physiology from Loma Linda University, then went on to get his JD from the University of San Diego. Over the past two decades, he’s worn many hats including Vice President of Research Affairs at Loma Linda University Health, where he launched the N3eight business incubator, Director of Intellectual Property at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and leadership roles at firms like Dentons and Bracewell & Giuliani. That blend of academic and legal experience gives him a rare perspective on the challenges TTOs face every day.Michael recently put a name to something many of us have only seen in fragments what he calls “Research Misconduct’s Butterfly Effects”. It’s the idea that what looks like a single, contained problem in a lab can ripple outward, creating consequences for commercialization, partnerships, and the credibility of institutions. Today, he’s here to break down those connections and share what they mean for technology transfer professionals navigating this complex landscape.In This Episode:[01:29] Michael’s dual background in law and academia is outlined, including his leadership roles and IP experience.[02:11] Michael explains “Research Misconduct’s Butterfly Effects” and why it matters for technology transfer professionals.[02:59] Defining research misconduct with fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism, proven by preponderance of the evidence.[04:04] Misconduct in publications can invalidate patents, licenses, and commercialization efforts.[05:27] Michael shares how his career shaped his views on risk management for TTOs and the rising tide of retractions.[06:03] Licensees may begin requiring universities to warrant patents that are free of misconduct, a risk institutions must prepare for.[07:12] Tech transfer offices should consider sequestering underlying data to provide transparency for licensees.[07:51] Organized fraud networks, “paper mills,” and systemic pressures to publish are fueling misconduct at scale.[09:13] A student uncovers duplicate publications across different journals, leading to a retraction.[10:18] Publication mills profit by selling authorship or fabricated manuscripts, creating an industry of fraudulent science.[12:21] High-profile cases show faculty losing positions over fabricated or cherry-picked data, with countries like India now imposing strict punishments.[13:49] International collaborations bring value but also increase risk when oversight standards differ globally.[14:15] Case study of Athira Pharma illustrates how research misconduct spiraled into legal, financial, and reputational crises.[15:06] Faculty at Washington State University discover dementia drug candidate Dihexa and form a startup.[17:01] Millions in NIH funding and clinical trials follow, but manipulated images in early publications trigger scrutiny.[18:22] The former graduate student admits to embellishing images, yet fundraising and IPOs continue, raising over $400M.[20:04] A whistleblower files a False Claims Act suit, leading to DOJ involvement and company stock plummeting 40%.[21:16] The case settles for $4 million, with ongoing investigations, shareholder lawsuits, and SEC concerns.[23:02] Washington State University removes the student’s dissertation and launches an inquiry.[24:12] Athira’s valuation collapses from $670M in 2020 to $25M in 2025, showing the profound damage of misconduct.[25:00] Michael stresses the need for better due diligence, expert involvement, and clear standards on acceptable data/image alterations.[27:21] TTOs should resist warranties but offer licensees access to original data for their own investigations.[28:38] Retracted papers may serve as tools in patent prosecution or litigation, a double-edged sword for TTOs.[29:09] Practical steps for TTOs include careful fraud language in agreements and collaboration with research integrity offices.[32:01] Recommendations include close coordination with integrity officers, rapid response plans, and careful handling of inventor payouts.[34:24] Michael advises TTO professionals to self-report suspicions quickly to protect institutional reputation.[36:20] Tech Transfer professionals should innovate with integrity and stay vigilant against misconduct.Resources: Michael R. Samardzija - Womble Bond DickinsonMichael R. Samardzija - LinkedInMichael R. Samardzija - Loma Linda UniversityOffice of Research ...
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    37 m
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