FAQs and Resources

Research is typically ready when it has progressed beyond basic discovery to a stage where it is credible, protectable, and translatable and translatable to real-world use. This often occurs during proof-of-concept, early preclinical, or translational phases—when sufficient data exists to demonstrate feasibility and support intellectual property (IP) protection.

The Licensing & Ventures Group (LVG) evaluates your invention for patentability and commercial potential. They will help determine next steps, which may include:

• Filing for patent protection
• Identifying industry partners
• Licensing to an existing company
• Exploring startup formation

Timelines vary widely, but the process generally includes:

• Invention disclosure
• Intellectual property protection
• Proof-of-concept development
• Licensing or startup formation
• Clinical validation and market entry

Advancing a technology to clinical and commercial impact typically takes several years.

Yes, but timing matters. Publications should be coordinated with IP review to avoid jeopardizing patent rights. Early engagement with LVG helps ensure you can publish while preserving commercialization opportunities.

It can. Public disclosure, including informal discussions, may impact patent rights. Consulting with LVG before sharing your work externally is strongly recommended.

In most cases, inventions developed using university resources are owned by the University. Inventors are eligible to receive a share of any resulting revenue in accordance with university policy.

Get started:

• Review the university policies on intellectual property

Patentability depends on whether an invention is novel, useful, and non-obvious. Many biomedical innovations including methods, therapeutics, devices, diagnostics, and software, may qualify when properly developed and documented.

Once your innovation is protected, the next step is determining how it reaches the market.

There are two viable paths:

• Licensing is often appropriate for technologies aligned with established companies
• Startups may be better suited for early-stage or platform technologies requiring further development

The optimal path depends on the technology, market opportunity, and your level of interest.

The University of Virginia (UVA) offers resources to support startup formation, including customer discovery, company formation, governance, and early-stage fundraising.

Get started:

• Request a startup consultation with the Enterprise Studio
• Explore the UVA Seed Fund
• Review the UVA LVG iCorp customer discovery program

Faculty typically serve as scientific founders, advisors, or collaborators. Your level of involvement is flexible and can evolve over time.

Time commitment varies. Most faculty begin with modest involvement, such as disclosures, meetings, and early validation work. Participation can scale over time, with options ranging from advisory roles to active leadership.

Moving from discovery to patient impact requires funding, validation, and regulatory planning.

Faculty can access a range of internal UVA funding mechanisms as well as external sources (federal, state, foundation, and translational grants) to support proof-of-concept and early de-risking.

Get started:

• Sign up for the School of Medicine weekly funding opportunities email (contact OFR@uvahealth.org)
• Review RFAs for internal commercialization programs

Early engagement is encouraged. Clinical trial support units can assist with:

• Study design
• Regulatory planning
• Feasibility assessments

Get started:

Discuss clinical development considerations with the Clinical Trials Unit

Regulatory requirements depend on whether your innovation is a drug, device, biologic, or software. Considering FDA pathways early can help avoid delays.

Get started:

• Explore the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)
• Investigate the FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) pathway
• Examine the FDA Combination pathway

Yes. Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, residents, and fellows may participate in commercialization activities in collaboration with faculty mentors and in accordance with UVA policies.

Get started:

Connect with the faculty advisors from the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (BIMS)to learn about training and educational opportunities

Commercialization can complement academic advancement when aligned with research impact, funding, and scholarly output. UVA recognizes translational contributions as part of academic achievement.

Get started:

• Review School of Medicine promotion and tenure guidelines

UVA has formal policies to identify, disclose, and manage potential conflicts of interest, ensuring research integrity while enabling responsible commercialization.

Get started:

• Review UVA’s Conflict of Interest Policy

Inventors may receive a share of licensing revenue or equity outcomes according to university policy. Returns vary widely depending on the success of the technology and commercialization pathway.

Get started:

• Review the UVA policy on distribution of innovation revenues