Step 10: Commercialize & Translate

When your research produces an invention, discovery, or other intellectual property, it may have value beyond publication. Wake Forest Innovations works with faculty to protect that intellectual property, connect with industry and entrepreneurs, and translate discoveries into products, services, and partnerships that benefit the public.  The process is described here.

Disclose your invention

Think your work may have created something new? Expand this section for how and when to submit an IP disclosure to protect your options.

• Complete an intellectual property disclosure and submit it to Wake Forest Innovations as soon as you believe your work may have created something new. 
• Do this before any public presentation or publication that could affect protection. 
• Timely disclosure preserves your options.

Evaluate protection and patentability

Wondering whether your discovery can be protected? Expand this section to learn more.

• Wake Forest Innovations will help assess whether and how to protect the intellectual property, including evaluating patentability and the best path forward given your field and goals.

Connect with industry and licensing

Have a discovery with commercial potential? Expand this section to learn more.

• Where there is commercial potential, Wake Forest Innovations can help identify partners, negotiate licenses, and support startup formation, so your discovery can move toward real-world impact.