Start-Up Program 2.0: An Evaluation Option License Program

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), through the NCI Technology Transfer Center (TTC), offers a term-limited, exclusive Start-Up Evaluation Option License to start-up companies developing early-stage vaccine, therapeutic, device, and certain diagnostic technologies.

The NCI Start-Up Evaluation Option License provides short-term exclusivity to certain NIH technologies while companies evaluate a technology or raise funding for future development. Companies can convert to a full NIH Exclusive Patent License at the end of the option period if the company plans to continue commercial development of the technology.

Company Criteria

Start-Up Evaluation Option Agreements are available to companies that meet the following criteria:

less than 5 years old;
have less than $5 million in capital raised; and
have fewer than 50 employees.

Companies must license at least one United States patent and commit to developing a product or service for the US market. Companies may license patents filed in other countries if the company commits to bringing products to markets in those countries as well.

Participating NIH Institutes and Centers

The Start-Up Evaluation Option License encompasses select intramural inventions from NCI and the nine NIH Institutes and Centers served by the TTC:

Features of the NCI Start-Up Evaluation Option License

24-month option period;
$5,000 execution royalty within 60 days of the effective date;
$5,000 patent royalty due on the one year anniversary of the effective date;
NCI and NCI client Institutes pay on-going patent expenses for licensed patent rights during the option period; and
Option to convert to an Exclusive Patent License, not automatic, but conditioned upon a) meeting the milestones in the Option Agreement, and b) a revised Commercial Evaluation Plan that supports commercial advancement of the technology.

The full terms of the NCI Start-Up Evaluation Option License and of the NIH Exclusive Patent License are available online and by email request to the NCI TTC.

The process to obtain a Start-Up Evaluation Option License

Company identifies a technology of interest from our website and confirms with the Technology Transfer Center that it is suitable for this program.
Company submits a license application for their chosen technology, including an initial, but detailed, Commercial Evaluation Plan to the TTC Technology Transfer Manager;
Based on the Commercial Evaluation Plan submitted to the TTC, company negotiates a license Field of Use with the NCI Technology Transfer Manager;
The Technology Transfer Manager will review the submitted License Application, Commercial Evaluation Plan, and requested Field of Use to make a preliminary determination to see if the requirements of 37 CFR 404 have been satisfied;
If the preliminary determination is satisfactory, NCI will advertise a "Notice of Intent to Grant an Exclusive License" in the Federal Register (FRN) with a notice period of 15 days; and
The company and the Technology Transfer Manager negotiate and finalize the Start-Up Evaluation Option License if no insurmountable objections to the FRN are received.

The Start-Up Evaluation Option License application is available on this web site. Guidance for completing the license application can be obtained by reviewing the Guidance Document or by contacting the NCI TTC. Please note this Guidance Document is ONLY to assist in completing the license application. Please note this Guidance Document is ONLY to assist in completing the license application.

Questions About This Program?

For any questions regarding this program, please contact Mr. Richard Rodriguez, Associate Director, NCI Technology Transfer Center by email or by telephone 240-276-6661.