Many thanks to all who completed NAVREF’s short survey regarding Technology Transfer Program (TTP) and Regional Counsel (RC) services related to CRADAs, and who took the time to provide thoughtful comments. 

Also, thank you to Donna McCartney, Cindy Reutzel, Ron Waldorf and Meshonda Womble-Donaldson who participated in developing the survey and analyzing the results.

The really good news is that 60% of NPCs are “extremely satisfied” or “very satisfied” with TTP services.  Similarly, 71% of NPCs are “extremely satisfied” or “very satisfied” with RC services. 

These very positive results reflect a great deal of work by all parties since CRADAs were first mandated in 2005, and significant progress in acquiring knowledge about CRADAs, developing models and securing master CRADA templates with major pharmaceutical companies.  NPC, TTP, OGC and RC personnel are to be commended for the achievement this represents.

In the coming weeks, NAVREF plans to share these results with TTP and OGC without attribution or identifiers so that where systemic difficulties persist among less than “very satisfied” responders, they may be addressed.  Additionally, NAVREF remains open to TTP and OGC recommendations for how they, RCs and NPCs may work together more efficiently.  NAVREF also may suggest that OGC conduct a survey of RCs to assess their perspective on interactions with NPCs regarding CRADAs.

NAVREF encourages those NPCs that are having difficulties with CRADA reviews to contact the NAVREF office.  We maintain a list of experienced executive directors and grants/contract managers willing to help with negotiations and to prepare redlined CRADAs for RC review in such a way as to expedite the review process to the extent possible.

Survey Results:

Seventy NPCs responded to the survey.  Only two NPCs with CRADA activity did not respond. 

1.  How would you rate your overall satisfaction with the responsiveness of TTP personnel on matters related to CRADAs?

Extremely satisfied – 14% (10)

Very satisfied – 46% (32)

Somewhat satisfied – 34% (24)

Somewhat dissatisfied – 3% (2)

Very dissatisfied – 3% (2)

Extremely dissatisfied - 0

2.  How would you rate your overall satisfaction with the responsiveness of RC personnel on matters related to CRADAs?

Extremely satisfied - 38% (26)

Very satisfied – 33% (23)

Somewhat satisfied – 14% (10)

Somewhat dissatisfied – 12% (8)

Very dissatisfied - 0

Extremely dissatisfied – 3% (2)