Office of Technology Transfer and Commercial Development Staff
Richard R. Matner, PhD, MBA – Director of Technology Transfer Office
Education and Background
Dr. Matner earned a doctorate in Radiation Biology and Biophyics (1980) from the University of Rochester and a Masters of Business Administration (1993) from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. He came to RPCI from 3M Corporation, Health Care Division, St. Paul, MN, where he spent 21 years in life science research and business development responsible for commercialization of technologies developed within various life sciences divisions of 3M.
Responsibilities:
The Director is head of the Technology Transfer Office. This position directs and manages the intellectual property and technology transfer activities at Roswell Park. Provides full time activities on technology transfer matters, but also participate in a limited number of additional activities related to corporate relationships such as industrial sponsored research agreements. With legal counsel assistance, interprets Roswell Park policies as they pertain to technology transfer activities; manages the licensing, business development, and administration staff and communicates with the Institute's senior administration officials and various governing boards. Activities performed in the Technology Transfer office managed by the Director include writing and managing licensing agreements and other technology transfer agreements, assessing the protectability and commercial potential of new invention disclosures; obtaining and maintaining intellectual property protection through internal and external legal counsel; pursuing expanded relationships with outside commercial interests such as sources of venture capital, external businesses, and economic development agencies; managing the commercial development fund; attracting venture capital for investment in technologies; managing the Technology Transfer Office budget; facilitating relationships among faculty, industry, research sponsors, patent counsel, and institute administrators; and facilitating the creation of spin-off companies from Roswell technology.
Edward T. Tirpak, Esq. - Associate Director
Education and Background:
Mr. Tirpak has been a licensed patent attorney for 17 years, has over 10 years full time Technology Transfer and licensing experience, and has taught Technology Transfer/IP Management and Licensing at UB Law School and UB’s School of Management as part of their J.D. and M.B.A. programs. Mr. Tirpak earned his J.D. Degree from UB Law School (1992) and his B.S. Degree (In Vitro Cell Biology/Biotechnology) from S.U.N.Y. at Plattsburgh (1989).
Responsibilities:
The Associate Director reports to the Director of Technology Transfer and assists the Director with the full range of intellectual property and Technology Transfer activities at RPCI. Specific activities the Associate Director assists the Director with include: intellectual property matters, negotiation and drafting of IP Licenses and related Agreements, patent docket, license docket and patent budget management, business development/start-up efforts, interactions with Health Research Inc and RPCI’s Legal Department and Committees, Technology Transfer Policy matters, assessing Invention Disclosures, securing patent protection through interactions with outside counsel, and facilitating internal and external relationships and educational efforts.
Kristen Castner – Intellectual Property Manager
Education and Background:
Kristen E. Castner earned a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies (1999) and an Associate of Science in Paralegal (1997) from Bay Path College, Longmeadow, MA. Prior to joining Roswell Park in 2002, she spent 3 years in the corporate Intellectual Property Department at Corning Incorporated in Corning, NY, where she assisted staff attorneys in patent and trademark prosecution as well as IP litigation for the company’s Optical Communications Division.
Responsibilities :
The Intellectual Property Manager reports to the Director of Technology Transfer. IP Manager handles all aspects of the Invention Disclosure management and reporting process including receiving disclosures and other related patent documents, performing federal invention reporting, and managing communications with outside patent counsel. Additional duties include supporting the licensing process and market research functions, office and contract/IP database management, financial functions such as receipt and distribution of royalty income, issuance and collection of invoices, and tracking and analyzation of all patent-related legal expenses. Reviews and negotiates Material Transfer Agreements and Confidential Disclosure Agreements in conjunction with the Office of General Counsel at Roswell Park.
