Technology Transfer Handbook: CLDP Achieve Fast Publishing
The Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) and Book Sprints have partnered again, executing an impressive feat: the rapid creation of a policy primer on Technology Transfer. This intensive process produced a complete handbook in just five days, showcasing not only the power of the Book Sprints’ fast publishing methodology, but also the deep expertise and intense collaboration of the authors.
Fostering Connection and Knowledge Exchange
The Book Sprint which transpired from August 3 to 7 in Maryland, USA, brought together a diverse group of intellectual property and technology transfer practitioners, including lawyers, academics, and government officials from Armenia, Croatia, and the US.
Tech Transfer Experts from left to right: Levi Latoz, Alan Gonzales Willert, Priya Prasad, JD, MBA, Davit Ghazaryan, PhD, Naira Campbell-Kyureghyan, PhD, James Filpi, JD, Joy Goswami, MBA, Anastasia Futrell, Richard S. Cahoon, PhD, Michael Samardzija, PhD, JD, Lisa Mueller, JD, Alysa Khouri, Edward Blocker, MS, JD
The Sprint was noted for its overall positive atmosphere and easy collaboration, which was largely attributed to the effort of the organizers and their ability to select a homogeneous team in terms of expertise. Notably, Priya Prasad, Senior Attorney with the CLDP and one of the organizers, was the only one in her group to have attended a prior Book Sprint, but had the great understanding of how to build a good constellation of authors. She had the eye to consider the various expertise to cover all the subject areas in the book, as well as diversity in experiences, perspectives, and job roles to create a better work dynamic.
To foster connection, Book Sprints facilitator Alysa Khouri and our CLDP organizers took advantage of the space they had at the location, Caboose Farms in Maryland. The Sprint started out with a nature walk where Alysa asked the participants to pair up and answer connecting questions and in the middle of the tense writing process, the authors had time for a campfire break, enjoying s’mores. The location even had a cinema room where they did an unveiling of the book cover.
The Challenge: Technology Transfer Handbook Transcreation for Central Asia
The primary challenge was not merely drafting a foundational handbook, but transcreating years of complex Intellectual Property (IP) and commercialization expertise for emerging economies. It was not enough to adopt established Western frameworks, the guidance had to be tailored.
The team deliberately ensured the content addressed cultural differences, resource availability, specific opportunities, and common realities found in Central Asia. For instance, the Handbook accounts for environments where capital formation is uncommon or where a large university might only have a single dedicated technology transfer officer The objective was to provide practical guidance, building a necessary bridge between well-developed Western IP systems and these emerging markets.
The necessity of this cultural adaptation was a prominent discussion point for the authors and served as a major learning experience throughout the process.
An illustration of an invention lifecycle at a TTO
The Output: Foundational Guidance in a Fast Publishing Timeframe
The output is the Technology Transfer Handbook, designed as a starting point for further discussion and a reference for policymakers, researchers, and professionals involved in innovation and R&D. It serves as a bridge, transforming research into products and services that drive economic development.
The Handbook is a key mechanism that provides clear, visual frameworks to simplify complex processes. One key framework is the Invention Lifecycle, which illustrates the systematic steps a new idea must follow within a Technology Transfer Office (TTO).
This flow demonstrates the necessary structure for turning scientific potential into societal benefit. The Technology Transfer Handbook also features case studies per chapter to provide proof and feasibility, ensuring practical application for its readers.
Availability & Next Steps for the Technology Transfer Handbook
The English version of the handbook is now available digitally on the CLDP website. Hard copies will be distributed in the coming months, and translations will follow.
CLDP is preparing a large delegation from Central Asia, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, and North Africa to attend the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) conference in February 2026 to roll out the handbook to constituents. Furthermore, the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) is planning a webinar on the handbook for their IPO Chat Channel in the next few months.
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