The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is fully engaged in technology transfer. NIDA views technology transfer as offering unique opportunities to establish collaborative relationships with the private sector in order to facilitate the transfer of research results into public health advances. Opportunities based upon basic research findings, applied research findings, and in potential product development are considered and appropriate agreements facilitating further research and development may be negotiated within the context of National Institutes of Health (NIH) policies.
Technology transfer activities involving both extramural and intramural research are handled directly through an NIH interagency agreement with the National Cancer Institute's Technology Transfer Center, which provides services to support NIDA's technology development activities. Among these activities are:
- The exchange of confidential information under a Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA).
- The exchange of research materials under a Simple Letter Agreement (SLA) or Material Transfer Agreement (MTA).
- The receipt, by NIDA, of materials under a Materials Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (MCRADA).
- Collaborative research (preclinical or clinical) conducted under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA).
- Clinical studies conducted under a Clinical Trials Agreement (CTA).
NIDA's Technology Development Coordinator (TDC) Ms. Janette Lebron, Intramural Research Program and Alternate Technology Development Coordinators (Alt. TDCs) Ms. Merissa Baxter, NCI TTC, and Ms. Aida Klun, NIDA HQ, work collaboratively overseeing the overall implementation of technology transfer functions mandated by the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 and Executive Order No. 12591. Model NIH agreements are utilized by NIDA for items 1-4, as the starting point for negotiations for formal interactions. Examples of these models are shown on the Office of Technology Transfer/NIH website. Each of the above agreements has certain advantages or disadvantages based on each individual set of facts, and is subject to negotiation. Interactions are expedited and facilitated by discussing the appropriate document with NIDA's technology transfer representative.
For more information contact Ms. Janette Lebron (TDC), (667) 312-5567; Ms. Merissa Baxter (Alt. TDC), NCI TTC, (240) 276-7234; and Ms. Aida Klun (Alt. TDC), (301) 827-5929.
For a more complete description of the NIH technology transfer process and policies, please see the NIH Office of Technology Transfer website at www.ott.nih.gov.