TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION COLLABORATION AIMS TO STRENGTHEN REGION'S STRATEGIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) has partnered and invested in Quantum Technologies (www.quantumtg.com), a new Technology Commercialization Business designed to target the development of strategic Intellectual Property (IP) created by Drexel University and other Universities and scientists.

Quantum Technologies is a leading-edge research, engineering and technology commercialization company that provides the infrastructure to drive the next generation of technologies to market by integrating applied research, commercial sponsorship and DOD driven applications.

This investment allows Quantum to formulate delivery of their core technology platforms and operate near Ben Franklin's primary offices in the Building 100 Innovation Center, Philadelphia Navy Yard.  Ben Franklin will provide technology commercialization support including product development expertise, market research services, grant proposal assistance, and networking with other regional universities.

This partnership draws on the member's strengths: Drexel University brings cutting edge research, Ben Franklin brings technology commercialization expertise and company portfolio management, and Quantum provides the expertise to structure the relationships and drive the next generation of technologies to market.

Quantum Technologies takes a unique approach to technology commercialization. Quantum signs a commercialization agreement with the university, and then conducts an extensive study of their past, present and future technology platforms and patent portfolios. It then benchmarks each technology platform into four basic categories; Market Industry Size, Application Focus, Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and finally Intellectual Property. These four criteria are then assessed and technology platforms are chosen for commercialization in cooperation with commercial sponsors or government programs.

In order for a technology to be selected by Quantum for commercialization, it must undergo a rigorous evaluation process.  Quantum is currently commercializing technology companies in the Sensor, Energy, Materials and Microscopy, spaces.

Quantum also provides Open Innovation with it's commercialization process, and confidentially reaches out to over 60 well recognized scientists nationally to assess technology challenges in this proposed development effort.  This enables corporations to fast track a technology platform to market at a reduced cost.

“In Quantum, we are proud to partner with Universities and the private sector in our pursuit to breakdown barriers to commercialization for the region,” said RoseAnn B. Rosenthal, President & CEO of Ben Franklin.   “Quantum is part of Ben Franklin's Regional Energy Strategy, accelerating alternative energy and clean technology development.  The strategy leverages and develops the region's assets, and focuses on investment and commercialization,” she added.

Commenting on the new commercialization model, Founder and Managing Director of Quantum Technologies Lothar Budike stated  “In commercializing cutting edge technology, there is potential for a disconnect between the technology path envisioned by the scientist and the ultimate commercial need of the industry.  This disconnect becomes heightened when establishing a value at the outset of any development program.  The Quantum model brings together these stakeholders up front, agrees on a translational research and development path to the market, and then creates a value proposition between all the parties to facilitate a deployment that is on time and on budget.”

“This partnership is another example of Drexel's commitment to bringing technological breakthroughs developed by our researchers to commercialization. We created a unique partnership with Quantum and Ben Franklin that has the ability to rapidly transform technological discoveries to the marketplace” said Dr. Anthony Lowman, Interim Senior Associate Vice Provost of Research for Drexel University and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in Drexel's College of Engineering.

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