Marshfield Clinic and UW’s WiSys link up for tech transfer

Marshfield Clinic and WiSys Technology Foundation, Inc., the patenting and licensing organization of the University of Wisconsin (UW) System, today jointly announce a partnership to strengthen collaborations in research and technology transfer*.

This is the first time WiSys has entered into a collaborative relationship with an institution outside of the UW System.

WiSys, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), the nation’s pre-eminent technology transfer organization, will provide patenting and licensing services to Marshfield Clinic scientists as well as facilitate collaborations between University and Clinic researchers.

“Just as the UW School of Medicine and Public Health has long offered research expertise to UW-Madison and the state, this enterprise brings together Marshfield Clinic’s premier clinical research and the world-class UW System for the benefit of the common good,” said Kevin Reilly, UW System president.

The agreement is expected to benefit researchers at both institutions by enabling them to work together, jointly develop intellectual property and create advancements in human health. Both institutions will work together to identify areas of potential collaborations and facilitate joint research programs.

“Our vision is to create a truly statewide technology transfer organization through partnership with Marshfield Clinic and emulate the success of WARF in Madison to other regions of the state,” said Carl Gulbrandsen, managing director of WARF and president of the WiSys board of directors; and member, National Advisory Council, Marshfield Clinic.  

Marshfield Clinic (www.marshfieldclinic.org) is the largest private group medical practice in Wisconsin and one of the largest in the United States, with 736 physicians representing 86 medical specialties in 41 sites in Wisconsin. MCRF has 30 Ph.D. and M.D. scientists and 180 other staff, who provide support for approximately 200 physicians throughout the Marshfield Clinic system engaged in research in areas such as clinical research, human genetics, agricultural health and safety, bioinformatics and epidemiology. UW System has more than 200 faculty engaged in developing therapeutic molecules for various diseases, medical imaging technologies for diagnosis, equipment to assist the disabled and research tools for medical research. 

Formation of this partnership is designed to bring together world-class researchers, share resources, protect intellectual property and benefit the state by transferring cutting-edge technologies to businesses.  

“This agreement marks a significant step towards marshalling two institutions’ creative powers for the benefit of our society,” said Karl Ulrich, M.D., M.M.M., president of Marshfield Clinic. “This collaboration with WiSys will allow us to do things that may not have become a reality otherwise.”

“For Marshfield Clinic, the true benefit is how technology developed through this arrangement will translate into direct patient care. Our goal is to discover and communicate scientific knowledge that substantially improves human health and well being,” said Humberto Vidaillet, M.D., director, MCRF.

WiSys (www.wisys.org) identifies innovative technologies developed throughout the University of Wisconsin System and brings them to the marketplace for the benefit of the inventors, their colleges, Wisconsin’s economy and society as a whole.

Technology transfer collaborative efforts at Marshfield Clinic will be under the direction of Robert A. Carlson, M.D., director of Marshfield Clinic Applied Sciences, the Clinic division that will oversee the agreement at Marshfield.

“This collaboration will greatly accelerate Marshfield Clinic’s technology transfer program. Access to the wide array of resources of WiSys will provide the Clinic the ability to effectively evaluate and pursue intellectual property opportunities. A key component of this agreement will be research that brings together the unique strengths of each organization. Together, we can facilitate the timely transfer of medical discovery to patient care. This relationship, which is a first for both institutions, will create a synergy that allows both organizations to work toward the common goal of enhancing scientific discovery, protecting our nation’s health and improving quality of life,” said Carlson. 

“This partnership is an extraordinary step forward for Marshfield Clinic, providing opportunity to advance research to find cures for deadly diseases and improve quality of life,” said Mark Bugher, director, UW Research Park, Madison; chair, National Advisory Council, Marshfield Clinic; and chair, Laird Center for Medical Research fund-raising campaign, Marshfield Clinic.