JTG NEWS & INFO

Keisen Associates and Japan Technology Group, a firm specializing in technology transfer and intellectual property licensing, will attend the AUTM 2026 Annual Meeting to be held in Seattle, United States, in February 2026. Representing both organizations, Taro Yaguchi, Japanese Patent Attorney, will participate in the meeting and engage in information exchange and discussions with technology transfer professionals from universities, research institutions, companies, and the investment community worldwide.

The AUTM Annual Meeting is a practice-oriented international conference focusing on the commercialization of university-generated technologies, international technology transfer, and the effective utilization and monetization of intellectual property. Through participation in this meeting, Keisen and Japan Technology Group aim to further strengthen their support for Japanese universities, research institutions, and companies in international intellectual property and technology transfer activities.

What Is the AUTM Annual Meeting?

The AUTM Annual Meeting is an annual international conference organized by the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM), dedicated to technology transfer, industry–academia collaboration, and the commercialization of intellectual property generated by universities and research institutions. Participants include technology transfer offices (TTOs) from universities and research institutions, corporate R&D and open innovation professionals, startups, investors, and experts in patents, licensing, and intellectual property strategy from around the world, with a strong presence from the United States.

A key feature of the AUTM Annual Meeting is that it goes beyond general information sharing or case studies. The conference provides a forum for concrete discussions and networking that often lead to actual technology licensing, collaborative research, and commercialization initiatives. Unlike academically oriented conferences, AUTM emphasizes a practical perspective—how research outcomes can be delivered to society and transformed into tangible value—making it an essential opportunity for stakeholders involved in university technology utilization and international IP strategy.

About AUTM (Association of University Technology Managers)

AUTM (Association of University Technology Managers) is an international non-profit organization composed of professionals engaged in technology transfer and intellectual property management at universities and research institutions. Founded in the United States in 1974, AUTM has grown into a global organization that includes technology transfer offices, research institutions, hospitals, government laboratories, corporations, investors, and IP and licensing professionals worldwide.

Today, AUTM is widely regarded as one of the most influential organizations in the field of technology transfer. It plays a central role in the practitioner community responsible for commercializing university-originated technologies. Its activities extend beyond the United States, fostering international collaboration across Europe, Asia, and other regions.

AUTM’s Role in Supporting the Commercialization of University Technologies

AUTM’s primary mission is to ensure that research outcomes and inventions generated by universities and research institutions are returned to society and converted into economic and social value. Accordingly, AUTM emphasizes practical technology transfer activities such as patent licensing, collaborative research, and startup formation, rather than focusing solely on intellectual property protection.

AUTM supports the quality and efficiency of technology transfer through educational programs, the sharing of best practices in contract negotiation and valuation methodologies, and the accumulation and publication of success stories and statistical data. In doing so, AUTM seeks to systematize technology transfer know-how as internationally shared professional knowledge, rather than relying on individual experience or institution-specific practices.

Practical Characteristics of the AUTM Annual Meeting

The AUTM Annual Meeting is the core annual event of AUTM, integrating education, networking, and practical collaboration at a high level. Numerous sessions and workshops address topics directly relevant to practice, including patent licensing negotiations, technology valuation, startup creation, and the latest trends in industry–academia collaboration.

Another defining feature of the meeting is the abundance of opportunities for one-on-one meetings and informal interactions among participants. AUTM also provides an online networking platform called AUTM Connect, which facilitates targeted networking. Through these mechanisms, discussions often move beyond information gathering to concrete opportunities for technology adoption, licensing, and collaborative research. The AUTM Annual Meeting is therefore positioned not only as a forum for discussion, but also as a place where practical initiatives begin to take shape.

Significance of AUTM for Japanese Universities and Companies

In recent years, Japanese universities, research institutions, and companies have shown increasing interest in the commercialization and international deployment of research outcomes. At the same time, technology transfer practices and contractual norms in overseas markets—particularly in the United States and Europe—often differ significantly from those in Japan, making effective collaboration challenging without sufficient understanding and experience.

The AUTM Annual Meeting provides a valuable opportunity for practitioners to directly learn about international technology transfer practices and exchange views with their counterparts. For Japanese universities and research institutions, it offers important insights into how their technologies can be positioned and utilized globally. For companies, it serves as a practical venue to explore promising technologies and potential partners at overseas universities.

Keisen and Japan Technology Group intend to leverage the knowledge and networks gained through AUTM participation to support Japanese universities, research institutions, and companies in their international intellectual property and technology utilization efforts.

Objectives of Participating in AUTM 2026

The primary objective of Keisen International Patent Office and Japan Technology Group in attending the AUTM 2026 Annual Meeting is to gain up-to-date insights into international technology transfer and intellectual property utilization practices, and to translate those insights into effective support for Japanese universities, research institutions, and companies.

Specifically, we seek to obtain first-hand information from practitioners on the latest trends in technology transfer at U.S. and European universities, practical approaches to licensing agreements and collaborative research, and models for commercializing research outcomes, including startup formation. Another important objective is to build networks with overseas universities, companies, and investors, and to explore concrete opportunities for the international utilization of Japanese technologies and intellectual property.

Through these efforts, we aim not only to collect information, but also to re-examine the challenges surrounding Japanese intellectual property and technology from an international perspective and contribute to the development of more practical and sustainable technology transfer and IP strategies.

Support We Provide Through Participation in AUTM 2026

By leveraging the knowledge and networks gained through participation in the AUTM 2026 Annual Meeting, Keisen and Japan Technology Group will provide the following support.

For universities and research institutions, we offer advice on patent strategy and filing with an eye toward international utilization, research into technology needs of U.S. and European companies, support for international licensing of university technologies, and assistance with enforcement of intellectual property rights. In particular, we emphasize case-based support in marketing, contracting, and negotiation, grounded in U.S. and European technology transfer practices.

For companies, we provide support in identifying and evaluating promising technologies held by universities and research institutions in the United States, Europe, and Japan, as well as practical assistance in collaborative research and licensing negotiations with overseas universities. By integrating R&D strategy with intellectual property strategy, we aim to facilitate effective technology adoption and commercialization.

We also offer consulting services on technology transfer and IP monetization, providing internationally informed advice on how best to utilize existing patents and research outcomes and how to develop IP strategies for global deployment. Acting as a bridge between Japanese and overseas legal and practical frameworks, we strive to deliver concrete and realistic support.

Information Exchange During the Meeting

During the AUTM 2026 Annual Meeting, Mr. Yaguchi, representing Keisen and Japan Technology Group, plans to engage in information exchange and discussions with universities, research institutions, companies, and technology transfer professionals.

Discussions will focus on practical perspectives related to the international utilization of university technologies, collaboration with overseas universities and research institutions, and intellectual property strategies for the commercialization of research outcomes. The goal is to deepen mutual understanding and explore the potential for future cooperation through engagement at AUTM.

Contact

If you have any questions regarding the AUTM 2026 Annual Meeting or topics addressed at the conference, please feel free to contact us. We will follow up as appropriate based on the nature of your inquiry.

 

*The above information is provided by the Japan Technology Group (JTG) based on its own compilation, summary, and translation (in the case of news originating overseas) of key news items.