The TechLink Center at Montana State University has entered into a five-year agreement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to support the transfer of new technologies from VA research centers to commercial markets. This process, known as technology transfer, aims to move innovations developed within federal labs into products and services that can benefit veterans and the broader public.
Previously, TechLink’s role in supporting VA tech transfer was renewed annually since 2018. The new multiyear agreement, effective October 1, is expected to provide continuity and strengthen collaboration between MSU and the VA.
“It’s been incredible to work alongside the VA to move years of critical research toward products and services that can help people, especially our nation’s veterans,” said Austin Leach, associate director of TechLink at MSU. “The partnerships we will continue to establish under this multiyear agreement will allow our team to build deeper, stronger relationships with industry, ensuring the VA’s research can realize its intended purpose.”
TechLink was founded in 1996 and recently marked 25 years as the national tech transfer partner for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). According to Leach, TechLink collaborates with both VA medical centers and DOD laboratories nationwide. He stated, “We have the incredible mission of ensuring that our national investment in federal research has the chance to become something real – a new medicine, or therapy, or maybe a market-shifting innovation.”
Leach noted that TechLink’s experience with DOD tech transfer helped establish its relationship with the VA. “The VA recognized our success with the DOD and overall leadership in federal technology transfer and they thought that our work would be beneficial to them,” he said. “We forged a relationship that led to execution of our first agreement with the VA.”
As a national partner for both agencies, TechLink identifies promising technologies from VA and DOD labs and connects them with potential manufacturers through licensing agreements or cooperative research projects. One example is an electronic screening tool developed by researchers at the VA San Diego Healthcare System. Originally designed to help clinicians assess returning veterans for risks such as suicide or homelessness, this tool was licensed by Missouri-based company Total Orbit. The company integrated it into their CareOrbit system—a digital platform now available in hospitals—to streamline patient engagement.
“The government spends billions of dollars each year funding research and development in federal labs,” Leach said. “Companies can license inventions that come from that R&D and use them to solve existing marketplace problems. I’ve seen firsthand how these inventions create real-world opportunities for companies ready to act.”
Since 1999, TechLink has facilitated over 2,000 tech transfer agreements between businesses and federal laboratories without charging companies for its services. The center operates on federal funding along with infrastructure support from Montana State University.
“Our goal is to convert the VA research into products and services that benefit veterans and civilians alike,” Leach said. “Veterans have unique needs that are being addressed through research across VA medical centers nationwide. Through TechLink facilitated partnerships with industry, the VA can turn its research into specific products and services that meet the needs of veterans and contribute to national economic growth.”
Supporting MSU’s land-grant mission by generating economic activity is also part of TechLink’s objectives; through its work with DOD alone, it has contributed nearly $10 billion in economic impact.
“We are delighted to have entered into a long-term partnership agreement with Veterans Affairs,” said Alison Harmon, MSU’s vice president for research and economic development. “The partnership contributes to the many ways that MSU strives to support veterans while ensuring that more VA innovations will be commercialized for the benefit of veterans and society. Meanwhile, the project also helps build a relationship with the VA I hope will lead to other mutually beneficial research collaborations.”
