Impact of COVID-19 on TTOs

Recent dramatic changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted human society as a whole. University communities, including their technology transfer and commercialization functions, are not immune to these effects. In most cases, radical alterations of business practices have been implemented to adjust to this new environment – an environment still in upheaval.

In response to this rapidly changing and uncertain environment, Apio Innovation Transfer has planned a series of surveys to help share the reactions of university technology transfer offices to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope the results of these surveys keeps our peers better informed of how offices have reacted to the current challenges as well as how they may plan to react in the future.  

The initial portion of the survey was directed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the workload of a university technology transfer office. Even with campuses largely emptied, most of the basic workload indicators were up (new disclosure rates, overall demand for services and new licenses completed). Two other basic indicators were essentially flat (new patent application filings and new license inquiries).

The second portion of the survey was directed to identifying changes in the work environment and possible future adjustments the changes in resources dedicated to technology transfer and commercialization. Not surprisingly, the survey indicated the greatest challenges are associated with adjusting to remote business practices required by virtually universal shelter in place requirements. Overall, respondents expect budget cuts, with 70% expecting budget cuts up to 25%. If budget cuts are implemented and staff/effort reductions are required, areas highlighted in the survey for possible reduction are in the areas of marketing and office support staff. However, if given a choice, over 50% respondents would target their patent budget for reduction rather than reducing staff.

Ray Wheatley, Managing Director

Download a PDF of the survey results

To watch a discussion on each of the questions, please click on the following links: