RESEARCH

Many investigators received their initial CREC Certifcation on September 1, 2004. The certification is good for three years, and therefore the September 1, 2007 CREC recertification deadline is quickly approaching! Both University Hospitals Case Medical Center and the MetroHealth System are offering a number of opportunities to acquire CREC over the next month. Please refer to the Office of Research Compliance Research Seminars Calendar page to view the seminars and register for events. Link: http://ora.ra.cwru.edu/research/orc/education/onlinecalendar.cfm.

The current CREC (Continuing Research Education Credit) certificates for many researchers will expire on August 31, 2007. If you have already earned the 12 continuing education credits required to recertify, your new CREC certificate can be downloaded NOW!

New certificates can now be downloaded within one year of the current expiration date, as long as the required continuing credits have been obtained. However, extra credits acquired prior to the expiration date will not roll over into the next cycle. Researchers must still acquire 12 credits per three-year cycle.

To download another individual's CREC certificate using your Case Network ID and Password, follow these steps:

• Go to http://ora.ra.cwru.edu/spiderweb/
• Type in your Case Newtwork ID and Password
• Choose "COI/CREC Summary" from the menu on the left
• View your personal CREC History
• In the "Search" Box at the bottom of the page, type in the last name of any CREC Program participant and view his/her certification status, expiration date
• View, download and print a copy of the current CREC Certificate for that person by clicking on "View" at the right

Please go to this site for information about the chapter, how you can join, and events being planned.

NIH announces the availability of a Niche Assessment Program for its SBIR Phase I awardees in fiscal years (FY) 2007 and FY 2008. NIH has contracted with Foresight Science and Technology to perform Technology Niche Analyses (TNA™) for 75 NIH SBIR Phase I awardees. For each eligible SBIR Phase I project, the TNA™ will assess potential uses of the technology and result in a report that includes:

1. The needs and concerns of end-users that drive the competitive opening in the market
2. Competing technologies and products
3. The competitive advantage of the technology
4. Who the key competitors are likely to be
5. The likely price customers will pay
6. What will drive the market
7. The key standards, regulations, and certifications influencing buyer acceptance
8. The market size and what share should be sought
9. The potential customer, licensee, investor, or other commercialization partner
10. A commercialization strategy that includes tasking and a schedule for implementation

For more information about this program, please go to:http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-080.html

NIH also recently announced the availability of a Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP) for NIH SBIR Phase II awardees from 2002 to 2007. Now in its fourth year, this program is designed to help some of the nation’s most promising life science small companies develop their commercial businesses and transition their SBIR-developed products into the marketplace. (NIH has engaged the services of Larta Institute to help implement the program. Larta has experience in helping businesses bring technologies to the marketplace and has helped companies raise over $1.5 billion in capital.)

The CAP consists of training workshops, individual mentoring and consulting sessions, and it includes an opportunity for companies to present their business opportunities to potential investors and strategic partners at an investment/partnership forum. Participation is free; however, selected participants are responsible for their travel expenses to attend two required workshops and the optional forum.

Selected participants will receive individualized assistance toward accomplishing the following goals:

• Developing or improving strategic business planning
• Developing or improving market identification, definition, and research capabilities
• Developing or improving marketing materials, e.g., investor pitch, company brochure, etc.
• Developing a roadmap for and establish licensing opportunities
• Developing a roadmap for and establish strategic and/or investment partnerships
• Seeking regulatory approvals

For more information about this program, please go to:http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-082.html

The DoD TechMatch system (www.dodtechmatch.com) –is a web-based portal aimed at facilitating technology deployment collaboration by providing DoD Research & Development (R&D) information and identifying Opportunities (FedBizOpps, Grants.gov, and SBIR/STTR solicitations), Licensable Patents, Labs, and current Technology Needs using a unique keyword matching function.

In addition, DoD TechMatch provides a centralized location to find information on 120 Defense labs across the U.S., including a way to contact the technology transfer decision makers at these labs. It also identifies calendar events and hot technologies – technologies from the labs that have the highest commercial potential.

Industry and academia can register at no-cost to receive:

• A single, daily e-mail containing their technology transfer information including possible opportunities and related information.
• A time saving of ~50% in finding Federal Opportunities and Grants.
• Upcoming SBIR/STTR matches (over 3.2 million matches have been sent to our registered users in the last 24 months).
• Access to over 7,500 DoD licensable patents.

If you have questions or would like additional information, please visit DoD TechMatch at http://www.dodtechmatch.com