Finding life science technologies to commercialize can be a challenge. Working with technology transfer departments at many research universities can also be a slow process. This begs the question, Why don't the scientists responsible for the discovery of a life science technology have more say in the commercialization process?
In other countries, scientist have much more control over the commercialization process. The research university where the discovery takes place still gets its cut of the profits generated from the technology, but the scientist has the option of working directly with business interests who may be interested in bringing the technology to market.
Under the current system, technology licensing offices and technology transfer offices centralize the commercialization process. This, however, grants these entities monopoly control over licensing activities. Since university and federal labs already get a cut of the income from intellectual property rights, Why should they have a say over licensing as well? Furthermore, it can be argued that some universities are satisfied with their returns, and see no reason for further licensing of some technologies. This holds back innovation, as well as the amount of business a technology can generate.
Allowing the scientists to have a say in the commercialization process would increase the number of technologies brought to the marketplace. What's more, it would occur at a quicker rate.
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