Technology Transfer: MTA Guidelines
Material Transfer Agreement Guidelines
The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) at Loyola University of Chicago is dedicated to assisting faculty in documenting the transfer and receipt of materials through Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs). MTAs are legally binding contracts that define the terms under which research materials are shared between institutions, ensuring that intellectual property rights and regulatory requirements are respected.
Loyola University of Chicago is a signatory to the Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement Master Agreement (UBMTA), which is commonly used for the transfer of most reagents and biological materials that are not involved in clinical trials. This agreement streamlines the process and provides a standardized framework for material exchanges.
MTAs are essential for protecting the rights of all parties involved in material transfer. They establish clear terms for ownership, usage rights, publication of results, and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Whether transferring research materials between academic institutions, government agencies, or industry partners, an MTA helps safeguard intellectual property, promotes transparency, and minimizes the risk of disputes. Loyola is required to ensure the recipient of the materials has the necessary approvals in place for use of the requested materials (see Compliance Review).
If you have any questions about the MTA process or need assistance with an MTA, please reach out to Rachel Drucker in the Technology Transfer Office. We are here to support your research and ensure all material transfers are properly documented and compliant with Loyola's policies.
Why do I need to use a Material Transfer Agreement?
MTAs for outgoing material are designed to protect your intellectual property and prevent the material provider from losing control over the material and its research use. If no agreement exists, then the recipient of the material has no legal restrictions on the use of the material, or on transferring the material to others.
MTAs for incoming material protect the intellectual property of the sender. Loyola University Chicago is required to ensure the recipient of the materials has the necessary approvals in place for use of the requested materials (see Compliance Review).
What types of materials can be sent or received using a Material Transfer Agreement?
In general, most materials can be sent or received through an MTA, provided the proper approvals are in place and the research is not related to a Clinical Trial. Below are examples of materials that can typically be transferred using an MTA:
• Biological Materials: antibodies, transgenic and knock-out mice, cDNA, plasmids, reagents, proteins, recombinant proteins, vectors, human embryonic stem cells, and more.
• Pharmaceutical Drugs: materials provided by pharmaceutical companies.
• Computer Software: in some cases, software and intellectual property licensed by Loyola to another party.
• Materials Received Under an Agreement: any material previously received from another party under an agreement.
Certain materials, such as controlled substances, pathogens, viruses, or other potentially harmful biological agents, are subject to special guidelines and procedures. For more information on these specific materials, please contact the TTO.
Compliance Review
MTAs must undergo a compliance review to ensure that the appropriate protocols, are in place, as required.
- MTAs for live animals must have protocols reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
- MTAs for human tissue and/or data must be reviewed to ensure compliance with 45 CFR 46 (and all other applicable federal regulations), and, if required, have protocol(s) reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
- MTA's for biohazardous materials must be reviewed to ensure biosafety compliance and, if applicable, have protocol(s) reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
Initiating a Material Transfer Agreement
To initiate an MTA, follow these steps to ensure proper documentation and compliance:
1. Complete the Cover Sheet
The MTA process begins by filling out the required cover sheet, which captures essential details about the materials being transferred. This form helps ensure that the TTO has all the necessary information to begin the review process.
2. Upload to the Research Channel
Once the cover sheet is completed, upload it to the Research Channel under the corresponding protocol LU# (Loyola University Research number). This ensures that your materials are properly tracked and documented within the university’s research system.
Note: It is customary for the provider of the materials to use their own contract. If the materials are incoming to the University, please upload the provider's MTA along with the cover sheet in the Research Channel under the corresponding LU#.
3. Compliance Review
The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) will review all submitted documents to ensure compliance with university policies, federal regulations, and any other relevant institutional requirements. This step may involve assessing specific protocols related to live animals, human tissue, biohazardous materials, or other regulated materials.
4. Signature Coordination
After the compliance review, the TTO will coordinate the necessary signatures for the MTA. This may include signatures from faculty, university representatives, and external partners, depending on the agreement.
5. Signed Document Distribution
Once the MTA is fully executed, a PDF of the signed document will be sent to the Principal Investigator (PI) for their records. A copy will also be retained by the university for ongoing documentation and compliance purposes.
By following these steps, you help ensure that your material transfers are compliant with all applicable regulations and that your research proceeds smoothly. If you need assistance at any stage, please contact the TTO for guidance.
Material Transfer Agreement Guidelines
The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) at Loyola University of Chicago is dedicated to assisting faculty in documenting the transfer and receipt of materials through Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs). MTAs are legally binding contracts that define the terms under which research materials are shared between institutions, ensuring that intellectual property rights and regulatory requirements are respected.
Loyola University of Chicago is a signatory to the Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement Master Agreement (UBMTA), which is commonly used for the transfer of most reagents and biological materials that are not involved in clinical trials. This agreement streamlines the process and provides a standardized framework for material exchanges.
MTAs are essential for protecting the rights of all parties involved in material transfer. They establish clear terms for ownership, usage rights, publication of results, and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Whether transferring research materials between academic institutions, government agencies, or industry partners, an MTA helps safeguard intellectual property, promotes transparency, and minimizes the risk of disputes. Loyola is required to ensure the recipient of the materials has the necessary approvals in place for use of the requested materials (see Compliance Review).
If you have any questions about the MTA process or need assistance with an MTA, please reach out to Rachel Drucker in the Technology Transfer Office. We are here to support your research and ensure all material transfers are properly documented and compliant with Loyola's policies.