The University is interested in making connections with Industry-some investigators are in hopes to build a relationship in which the company will fund more research and be a source of funding for the lab. Others are doing it not only for the money, but in certain cases (as the contracts will determine) the ability to publish on the research. A PI always loves to add another publication to the books.

If you do a service agreement for a company, they may provide something to in the future. For example, maybe provide material (a drug) for internal research purposes under a Material Transfer Agreement or collaboration agreement. In this situation the lab would not have to pay for the material, they essentially get it for free but as everyone knows company’s don’t just give things for free. Industry material transfer agreements/ collaborations include strict restrictions and basically want the university to assign all of the rights away to any invention that arises in relation to the drug. This is why Tech Transfer Offices are crucial in reviewing/negotiating Industry contracts in order to protect the university’s IP.