Moffitt Cancer Center is internationally recognized for its focus on translational research and personalized cancer care. The mission of Moffitt is clear, focused, and fully stated in nine words, “To contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.”
Since 2004, the Innovation Office is credited with a total of 66 United States patents issued and 160 license agreements executed, as well as approximately $30 million in industry alliances funding for Moffitt in the past year and a half.
The Innovation Office serves as Moffitt’s tech transfer entity that identifies new and
exciting research discoveries that have potential commercial value and works to bring them to market. In addition, a greater emphasis is placed on forging research industry alliances, which align with Moffitt’s Research Strategic Plan – Research Financial Viability & Expanding Moffitt’s Innovation Portfolio. Some of the prominent new industry alliances include Celgene, Forma Therapeutics, and Lion Biotechnologies, which provide Moffitt with critical research funding and access to novel technologies and technical expertise. Read more about Moffitt’s Innovation Office, innovation.moffitt.org.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Associate Director, Licensing will lead the Patenting and Licensing Business Unit in the
Office of Innovation and Industry Alliances. This includes the protection and commercialization of pharmaceutical, biologic, medical device, diagnostic, and software technologies and responsibility for all aspects of technology transfer from ferreting technologies to industry licensing, i.e. evaluating patentability, market research, and identifying competitive advantages on new technologies.
The Associate Director will determine technology valuation/pricing, prepare term sheets on essential financial terms, negotiates definitive documents (e.g. license agreements and equity agreements), and monitors performance and compliance.
Key to the position is providing faculty education and training on technology transfer principles, intellectual property law, commercialization strategies, and biotech startups as well as developing and implementing marketing campaigns for available technologies.
Responsibilities:
- Assess technologies for patentability and commercial potential
- Negotiate licenses with established companies and startups
- Procures U.S. and foreign patents
- Supervises two team members in the Patenting and Licensing Business Unit
- Ensure quality standards are met
Credentials and Qualifications:
- PhD (preferred) in Life Sciences
- Six (6) years of technology transfer, licensing, and/or business development
- Knowledge of academic institutions such as cancer centers, research institutions, or universities
- Supervisory/leadership experience a plus
Interpersonal Skills:
- Ability to succinctly and eloquently pitch new technologies to potential partners
- Highly organized and has strong time management skills
- Deep problem-solving skills based upon fact finding, research and collaboration
- Highly organized and has strong time management skills
- Effective inter-personal skills and high emotional intelligence
- Broad negotiation skills and ability to forge win-win partnerships
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to interact with all stakeholders and partners
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Vortechs Group and Moffitt Cancer Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or protected veteran or disabled status. We seek candidates whose skills, and personal and professional experience, have prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence.
For more information and the application process, see the Moffitt Cancer Center Position Specification.
