NIH recently announced funding for FY 2014 for their Niche Assessment Program geared to SBIR/STTR Phase I awardees (NOT-OD-15-003) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-15-003.html. The program involves three steps that entail collecting information to identify feasible applications for the technology, do an in-depth market study on the technology, and then market the technology to end users.
This program can be a big help to jump-start a company’s commercialization efforts by providing market insight and data. This information can be used to strategically position a company’s technology in the marketplace by helping to develop commercialization plans for Phase II applications and also by introducing small businesses to potential partners.
These services in place to help 136 NIH SBIR/STTR Phase I awardees, is provided by Foresight Science & Technology www.foresightst.com of Providence, Rhode Island. Foresight uses their Technology Niche Analyses® to assess potential applications for a technology and then for one specific viable application.
The Niche Assessment Program is appropriate for all types of technologies such as devices, drugs, biologics, and therapeutics as well as those companies developing software, educational, and multi-media behavioral science products. The program is also appropriate for those seeking strategic alliances, investors, and/or immediate customers.
The analysis will assess:
- Needs and concerns of end-users
- Competing technologies and competing products
- Competitive advantage of the technology
- Market size and potential market share
- Barriers to market entry
- Market drivers
- Status of market and industry trends
- Potential customers, licensees, investors, and other commercialization partners
- Price that customers are likely to pay
The 136 slots available to the program will be filled on a first come, first served basis. The average time to complete a technology niche analysis is 2 to 3 months. Since reports will be generated in the order that the applications are received and must be completed between November 2014 and early March 2015, each participant will receive an in-depth report on Foresight’s findings.
All active NIH SBIR/STTR Phase I awardees by grant or contract are eligible to apply. To participate go to the online registration form at www.foresightst.com/nihreg. For more information contact Paula Williams, Project Coordinator at Paula.Williams@foresightst.com or call 401-273-4844, extension 4001.