Partnering - An Effective Path to Commercialization

PARTNERINGAn Effective Pathto CommercializationCatacel Corp.William WhittenbergerMay 14, 2008 1

Catacel makes catalytic heat exchange productsfor fuel cells and hydrogen production.• Create extraordinaryperformance using catalystson metal foil.• Use ordinary or exoticcatalytic materials. (ours,yours, or theirs)• Clever & compact packaging,often involving heatexchange.• Low manufacturing cost.• Good service, fast !May 14, 2008 2

Catalytic & Heat-ExchangingCatalystMaterialsFecralloyFoilsFORMING& COATINGCOATEDFOILSPACKAGINGSSR ®HEP TMCustomSolutionsMay 14, 2008 3

Materials:U. ToledoNexTechAlfa AesarColonialCatacel PartnershipsMetals:M.K.M.V.D.M.HaynesMay 14, 2008 4

Testing:U. ToledoY.S.U.U. MarylandNASACatacel PartnershipsEquipment& Services:M.P.T.A&CMachine TekEbayMay 14, 2008 5

Catacel PartnershipsHydrogen/GTL:A.P.J.M.E.E.R.CHydro-ChemMarketing:NexTechFuel Cell:T.M.I.BattellexxxxxxxxxxMay 14, 2008 6

Catacel PartnershipsOthers:Huntington BankVillage of GarrettsvillePortage CountyEMTECO.D.O.D.Pearne-GordonBober-Markey-FedorovitchMay 14, 2008 7

Relationships PartnershipsMay 14, 2008 8

Build and Maintain yourRelationshipsThey often transform intoValuable PartnershipsMay 14, 2008 9

Choose your partners• From existing relationships !• Or, on the basis of:– Technology– Staying power– Geography– Relationships– Culture and styleMay 14, 2008 10

2004: U. Toledo as a Partner ?• Good technology fit• Proper equipment• Two hour drive• Good relationships as Wright Center• Martin Abraham positive attitude andsensitive to needs of IndustryMay 14, 2008 11

Results from UT Partnership• Numerous grants to date• Testing methods &capabilities• Steam methane reforming• Liquid fuel reforming I.P.• Liquid fuel desulfurization I.P.May 14, 2008 12

Air Products as Partner• Partnership forged from an oldrelationship• They are #1 in their industry• Technology alignment• Style alignmentMay 14, 2008 13

Air Products as PartnerExcellent chance of commercialsuccess together !May 14, 2008 14

Working with Partners• Define the Roles• Define the Expectations• Define the Communication path• Define the Money flow• Define the Intellectual property issuesRECMI ?May 14, 2008 15

Intellectual Property• What does each party bring ?• How shall trade secrets be protected ?– (Hint: Keep them Secret !)• Who owns any new IP ?– Separately developed– Jointly developed• Define the “Field”May 14, 2008 16

IP Value ChainInventionTrade SecretPatentMay 14, 2008 17

IP Value ChainInventionValue to IndustryTrade SecretPatentMay 14, 2008 18

IP Value ChainInventionValue to IndustryTrade SecretPatentValue to UniversitiesMay 14, 2008 19

Don’t Strangle the IP !• Filing patents too early:– Commercial proposition unclear– Prior art against likely future inventions• Filing patents at all:– Can’t enforce the patent, so keep it astrade secretMay 14, 2008 20

IP Value ChainInventionValue to IndustryTrade SecretPatentValue to UniversitiesMay 14, 2008 21

Conclusions• Partners are good, even essential !• Create partners from relationships.• Pick new partners based on technical,strength, geographic, relationship, & stylecriteria.• Define RECMI - roles, expectations,communications, money, & IP.• Don’t strangle the IP.May 14, 2008 22

Thank You !HowdyPartner !