FAQ
- Who can apply to the Alfred Mann Institute for development funds?
Anyone who works at USC who has a biomedical idea. This includes doctors or faculty from USC (all campuses), including Children's Hospital. USC students are also welcome.
- What is the organization structure of the Alfred Mann Institute at USC?
The Institute is led by the Executive Director of the organization. Several managers run the functions of Engineering, Marketing, Regulatory, Legal, and Intellectual Property management. Technical resources complement the organization to support inventors. As of late 2010, the organization has 16 employees.
- How does the Alfred E. Mann Institute for Biomedical Engineering relate to all of the institutes and foundations that include Alfred E. Mann in the title?
The Alfred Mann Institutes are associated with universities. As of mid-2012, there are two Institutes:
| | The Alfred Mann Institute for Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California | AMI-USC |
| | The Alfred Mann Institute For Biomedical Development at the Technion-Israel University | AMIT |
The Alfred Mann Foundations are two non-profit organizations located in Valencia, CA. Their missions:
- The Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research accelerates the development of new medical technologies such as implantable neurostimulator systems.
- The Alfred Mann Foundation for Biomedical Engineering focuses on identifying universities who would like to have an Institute. This foundation also supports the established AMIs with expert opinions about technology commercialization.
- Why did Alfred E. Mann establish the Institute at USC?
Alfred E. Mann wanted to bridge the gap between biomedical innovations at universities and the creation of commercially-successful medical devices. This gap is often not fully addressed by grant or venture capital funding.
- How are projects selected by the Alfred E. Mann Institute?
The Institute runs an assessment that evaluates the invention's novelty, impact, and commercial potential. From the portfolio of ideas, AMI and the inventors select the ones where AMI can add most value within its set of resources and that have the most commercial potential.
- What is the relationship between the USC Stevens Center and the Alfred E. Mann Institute?
USC Stevens and AMI frequently exchange information on inventions brought to each group and work collaboratively. Their scope of work differs:
- The Stevens Center is the technology transfer office for USC. USC Stevens provides intellectual property management and licensing functions to all USC inventors. They integrate educational programs and events designed to stimulate innovation across the university.
- AMI-USC focuses on technology development. The Institute helps inventors who have new biomedical product ideas commercialize their concept. Although AMI can also do intellectual property and licensing management, AMI can offer additional resources such as space and engineering staff. The Institute also provides expertise in regulatory, legal and marketing.
- How is the endowment for the Alfred E. Mann Institute at USC allocated?
The funds allocated to a project placed under AMI's umbrella are assigned annually and tied to a detailed program plan. An AMI program manager leads the project. Project funding may cover salaries, equipment, outside services, clinical trials, FDA clearance, and more.
- What is the product focus of the Alfred E. Mann Institute at USC?
AMI USC welcomes product concepts from all medical specializations. The scope is limited to USC-based inventors.
AMI's resources and expertise support the commercialization of medical devices best.
- What stage does AMI fund?
AMI funds technology development. AMI does not fund basic research nor does AMI make venture capital investments.
- Can AMI-USC receive additional funding from a government agency, such as NIH funding?
Yes. AMI can apply for government funding and other grant funding sources.
- Can AMI-USC receive funding from private industry that is interested in sponsoring development?
Yes. A project can receive private funding from any source, provided that the funding supports the Institute's objectives.
- What is the intellectual property policy for AMI-USC?
USC owns the IP of USC employees. When AMI USC takes a program under its umbrella, it licenses IP rights from USC. For a new concept that has been developed while under AMI's funding, the IP belongs to AMI USC. Ideas that have been developed with government funding belong to USC, but are licensable to AMI.
- How is the commercialization process structured at Alfred E. Mann Institute?
See AMI's Process webpage.
- What is the planned exit strategy for products that are developed at the Alfred E. Mann Institute?
AMI launches the commercialization by either licensing the IP to a manufacturer or to a startup company.
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