Licensing Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Why do we need a license from RCT?
A: Research Corporation Technologies owns the Pichia Expression Platform which consists of the Pichia Classic Expression System and Pichia GlycoSwitch® Expression System. RCT allows companies to evaluate each system for a one year period under a limited use license that is included with the purchase of a Pichia Classic kit from Life Technologies (e.g., the Original Pichia Expression Kit or the EasySelect Pichia Expression Kit) or a Pichia GlycoSwitch® kit from BioGrammatics. After the one year evaluation period, RCT offers various types of flexible commercial licenses to perform research or make and sell products. See Licensing for more details
Q: We have purchased a Pichia kit from Life Technologies or BioGrammatics and would like to continue to work with the system. How much does a license cost?
Pichia Classic:
RCT offers various commercial licensing options ranging from a license to a single product to a license for unlimited product development and sales. The license issue fees range from $10,000 to $75,000 and the annual minimum fees range from $5,000.00/year to $30,000.00/year. Royalty rates range from 1-5% depending on the type of license granted and type of product sold (e.g. industrial product V. medical product).
If you are interested in learning more about our Pichia Classic license terms and templates, please contact us by clicking below or calling Brad Morie at 520-748-4413 or by email.
Pichia GlycoSwitch®.
RCT offers various commercial licensing options ranging from a license to perform commercial research to a product license that enables the sale of specific products made using Pichia GlycoSwitch®. Please contact Brad Morie at 520-748-4413 or by email to learn more about Pichia GlycoSwitch® license terms.
Q: RCT has no patents in my country. Do we still need a license from RCT and why?
A: The Pichia Classic and the Pichia GlycoSwitch® Expression Systems are protected by patents in many countries but also contain proprietary strains and vectors that are owned and controlled by RCT. Therefore, any use of these systems requires a license from RCT. Some recently issued patents include US 8,354,268 and US 8,058,053.
Q: But we never purchased anything from RCT?
A: To make Pichia Classic more accessible to the commercial biotechnology industry, RCT granted Life Technologies a license to produce and sell Pichia Classic kits for evaluation purposes only. Under the license agreement that accompanies each Pichia Classic kit from Life Technologies, commercial use of the system is not permitted without a license after the evaluation period. With regard to Pichia GlycoSwitch® RCT has licensed BioGrammatics, Inc. the right to produce and distribute Pichia GlycoSwitch® kits and each purchase of a kit also includes a license to evaluate the system for a limited period of time.
Q: We worked with the Pichia Classic System or the Pichia GlycoSwitch® System in the past. Can we purchase the materials again?
A: Each commercial entity that purchases a Pichia Classic Kit or a Pichia GlycoSwitch® Kit is allowed a single, one yearlong evaluation period. At the end of this period, your company will need to take a commercial license from RCT to continue working with the system or destroy all materials. After executing a commercial license with RCT, you can continue to purchase materials over and over. If you have found that the one year period is not enough time to evaluate a particular system, please contact Brad Morie at 520-748-4413 or by email.
Q: We want to work with a third-party contractor during our evaluation period. Is that allowed?
A: Yes. Life Technologies has the right to perform contract services for Pichia Classic users during their evaluation period as well as several other commercial parties. BioGrammatics has the right to perform contract services for Pichia GlycoSwitch users during their evaluation period. Please contact RCT for a referral to other service providers.
Q: Do academic institutions require a license agreement from RCT?
A: As long as an academic uses the Pichia Classic or Pichia GlycoSwitch® systems in the laboratory for non-commercial use, no license is required.
Q: Can an academic transfer the Pichia Classic or Pichia GlycoSwitch® systems or materials to another site?
A: No. The transfer of Pichia materials to a site other than the licensee’s laboratory is not permitted without prior written permission from RCT.
Q: I tried to purchase Pichia materials from Life Technologies or BioGrammatics and was referred to RCT for further discussions. Why am I not able to purchase the materials?
A: There could be several reasons. For example, someone else at your company has previously worked with the Pichia Classic System or Pichia GlycoSwitch® System and the one year evaluation period has expired. Each commercial entity is allowed only one evaluation period for each system. Please contact RCT so we can work with you to remedy the situation.