Centre for Drug Research and Development

Frequently Asked Questions

To help you understand how you can work with the Centre for Drug Research and Development, we have put together the following questions and answers.

What qualifies as a CDRD project?

• All projects submitted for consideration must have therapeutic and commercial potential.
• There must be demonstrated potential for obtaining a strong intellectual property position.
• The project must have well-articulated milestones and deliverables.
• CDRD must have adequate physical and intellectual resources to add value to the project.

Will I lose control of my research if it becomes a CDRD Project?

No. CDRD understands that as a principal investigator, you know more about your research than anyone. We will provide the support that you need in order to progress your discovery toward commercialization. By putting a project-specific management team in place, CDRD provides you with the ability to continue to guide your work with the support of industry professionals.

Who controls the intellectual property (IP)?

• The principal investigator and his or her affiliated institution maintain control of all pre-existing IP.
• Any new intellectual property created by the principal investigator remains the property of the principal investigator and his or her affiliated institution in accordance with the institution’s IP policy.
• The principal investigator retains the right to publish all results.
• CDRD works together with the principal investigator and the technology transfer offices at affiliated institutions to determine the best course for each technology on a case-by-case basis.
• In return for the contribution made by CDRD, CDRD Ventures Inc. (CVI), the commercial arm of CDRD, has only a first right to negotiate on terms for a licence to technology arising from the CDRD project. CVI is allowed 90 days in which to make a decision as to whether it would like to license the technology. During these 90 days your technology transfer office cannot out-license the technology. If after 90 days CVI does not want or cannot come to an agreement, the licensing option is terminated.

Can the technology transfer office and principal investigator market the technology while it is a CDRD project?

Yes. The mandate of CDRD is to improve the chance for commercialization of early-stage ideas generated from affiliated institutions. Should the principal investigator wish to discuss and present intellectual property related to the CDRD project with other companies, he or she is free to do so. What CDRD and CVI ask is that the technology transfer office and the principal investigator communicate their intentions so that all parties are fully aware of ongoing commercialization activities. CDRD may advise the technology transfer office and the principal investigator that their chances of success will improve with more data and encourage that they hold back on presentation until that information is available.

Does working with CDRD affect my eligibility for grants?

Working with CDRD should increase your ability to fund projects. Showing that you have a project team of experts in the field of drug development to support your work will make your grant applications more competitive. For CDRD-approved projects, CDRD can provide assistance in obtaining additional means of funding by providing scientific, strategic, and editorial input and letters of support for new grant applications.