The UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center (CTSC) is facilitating introductions of UC Davis research projects for Merck’s partnering consideration. Merck partnering interests cover a variety of research areas, as specified in the attached document. The CTSC will serve as a conduit for your partnering proposals to Merck. The proposals submitted should provide a good fit with Merck’s partnering interests. Generally, the more proof of concept accomplished, the more likely research projects will be eligible for partnering. However, there is no guarantee that Merck will fund any of the submissions.

The CTSC is the academic home for clinical and translational research at UC Davis. The goal of the CTSC partnering program is to enhance and augment research areas critical to translational science by identifying and facilitating external partnerships for research projects. CTSC will help to develop the proposals to Merck to maximize partnering outcomes. To increase our chances of successful partnering, we are presenting the research proposals in the format of an executive summary that is widely used by the biotech industry.

The CTSC will facilitate applications for partnerships with Merck for all full-time members of the UC Davis faculty, including faculty in the Adjunct or Research series.

UC Davis InnovationAccess, the unit responsible for management of UC Davis inventions and licensing, will evaluate the proposals for confidential information.

Applicants must use the Executive Summary form to complete their application. The Executive Summary should contain non-confidential information only. The proposed layout with examples is attached. Although the final documents should not be more than 1-2 pages long, you may submit rough draft proposals to Kate Marusina, CTSC University-Industry Partnership manager, for review and comments (kate.marusina@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu, 916-703-9177). There are no limitations on the number of proposals submitted by a single PI, as long as they fall within Merck’s scope of interests, and are submitted separately. The final proposals will be submitted to Merck for review through the CTSC.

There is no deadline for these proposals. Proposals are accepted throughout the calendar year.

The CTSC will be conducting a "Merck Partnering Workshop" and Question and Answer Brown Bag Lunch on March 14 2008 from 12-1 pm in the main CTSC auditorium at 2921 Stockton Boulevard, Suite 1400, Sacramento.

1. Does the CTSC contribute funds for these projects?
   
   The CTSC only serves as an interface between Merck and UC Davis. Merck determines projects they choose to partner with and to fund. However, Merck has not committed to funding any projects at UC Davis.
   
   
2. What does a typical partnering process look like?
   
   Non-confidential proposals are forwarded to Merck’s West Coast External Research Liaison. After Merck’s scientists and business development personnel review the proposals, they will contact UC Davis for additional information. UC Davis would then execute a Confidentiality Agreement with Merck, enabling release of more detailed and potentially confidential information regarding the research. Should these discussions progress further, Merck and UC Davis will execute a Research Agreement allowing for the studies to go forward.
   
   
3. Do my forms require institutional signatures from the Office of Research?
   
   No signatures are required for the preliminary proposals. However, UC Davis InnovationAccess will review the applications for confidentiality, and may suggest the filing of a Record of Invention.
   
   

Kate Marusina, Ph.D. MBA (916) 703-9177 or
kate.marusina@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu