Before transferring information, materials or data to third parties, there are agreements that often need to be executed to protect intellectual property rights, comply with applicable law and promote the ethical use of shared resources. The Innovation and Commercialization Contracts Team provides these services and can help advise of the type of agreement needed.
Types of Agreements
Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs)
Also known as Nondisclosure Agreements (NDAs), CDAs are used to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information, including information about intellectual property rights and unpublished research findings. CDAs also protect the proprietary information of third parties that Ohio State researchers may need to evaluate research opportunities and assess the feasibility of conducting a clinical trial at Ohio State. Due to Ohio State’s Institutional Data Policy, Ohio State does not sign separate CDAs that bind principal investigators or co-researchers who have access to the confidential information. Requests for CDAs may be submitted electronically through Cayuse Inventions.
Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs)
MTAs describe the terms under which Ohio State and external researchers may share materials, typically for research or evaluation purposes. MTAs are administered by Innovation and Commercialization Contracts Team for incoming and outgoing materials for research purposes and in conjunction with licensing.
- A Simple MTA or a Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement (UBMTA) should be used without changes for non-human biological materials that will be used for in vitro research by research colleagues. Email the Innovation and Commercialization Contracts Team for a template.
- For human tissue and human research: The transfer of human biologic material, tissue and specimens for use in humans is governed by separate regulations. Requests for MTAs to cover these transfers may be submitted electronically through Cayuse Inventions.
- When sharing materials with a company, additional terms and conditions may be required by the company. ERIK’s Innovation and Commercialization Contracts Team can help determine the appropriate MTA to use by request, submitted electronically through Cayuse Inventions.
Data Use Agreements (DUAs)
DUAs are used for transferring protected health information (PHI) or other sensitive data into and out of Ohio State. Requests for Data Use Agreements for research purposes may be submitted electronically through Cayuse Inventions.
DUAs needed for health care operations should be routed through legal counsel for the appropriate Ohio State health care unit.