Best Practices for Interacting with Industry: NDAs, Industry Sponsored Research, Licensing and Beyond.

Session Title for Website and App: Best practices for interacting with industry: NDAs, industry sponsored research and beyond

Special Session Program Description: This special session panel discussion is designed to equip academic professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary for successful collaborations with industry partners. The session will explore the critical aspects of industry-academic interactions, beginning with the fundamentals of signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), to securing industry-sponsored research projects, and advancing through the stages of prototype development, licensing patents, and co-developing products for market entry. Experts will discuss strategies for navigating these interactions effectively, addressing common pitfalls such as unrealistic expectations and misconceptions about the roles, goals, and resources that industry can offer. By providing a comprehensive overview of the best practices for each stage of industry engagement, this panel aims to enhance the success rates of these collaborations, ensuring that both academic inventors and their industry counterparts can achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. This session is motivated by the high interest and numerous ideas emerging from academia, which often face hurdles in realization due to gaps in understanding and alignment with industry standards and expectations.

Committee, Sig, or Organization Title: Industry Committee