Strategy 1. Arrange to work with a manufacturer at some point.

You will need to decide how early in the course of the project you will involve the manufacturer. When the manufacturer makes some type of commitment or participates in the development, then they are more likely to follow through with production and marketing.

By involving a manufacturer early (at the conceptualization stage), you may be able to gain some valuable assistance in technical aspects of the project, or you may be able to obtain some support (equipment, etc.) not otherwise available.

By involving a manufacturer at the prototype stage, you stand to gain a degree of commitment that is much greater than is likely after-the-fact.

- Involving a manufacturer at the feasibility prototype (proof of concept) stage may make it possible to incorporate proprietary information known only to the manufacturer.

- Involving a manufacturer at the laboratory prototype (demonstration of utility) stage may help to expand the pool of test-users beyond the VA patient population.

- Involving a manufacturer at the pre-production prototype (VA Evaluation Unit) stage may save in tooling costs for the manufacturer or advance the date when the product will be marketed by consideration of alternative designs or components in the prototype.

Investigator

Transfer Officer

Center Director