Materials Transfer Agreement Template for Ireland

A Materials Transfer Agreement sets out the legal terms when one organization shares research materials, samples, or biological resources with another. These agreements are especially important in Irish research institutions and biotech companies, where they protect intellectual property rights and ensure compliance with EU research regulations.

The agreement spells out how the receiving organization can use the materials, any restrictions on research scope, confidentiality requirements, and what happens to any discoveries made using the materials. It also addresses key safety protocols and helps both parties meet their obligations under Irish health and safety laws, particularly when handling biological or hazardous materials.

Use a Materials Transfer Agreement any time your Irish research institution or company needs to share biological samples, chemical compounds, or research materials with external partners. This includes situations like sending cell lines to collaborating universities, sharing novel compounds with testing facilities, or receiving genetic materials from other labs.

The agreement becomes essential when the materials have commercial potential, require special handling, or might lead to new discoveries. It's particularly important for EU-funded research projects, clinical trials involving multiple sites, and any transfer of materials that falls under Irish bioethics regulations or involves potential intellectual property rights.

• Basic Research MTA: Used between academic institutions for non-commercial research sharing, with minimal restrictions on use and publication rights
• Commercial MTA: Includes detailed IP provisions, licensing terms, and profit-sharing arrangements for industry collaborations
• Multi-Party MTA: Designed for large research consortia or EU-funded projects involving multiple Irish institutions
• Biological Materials MTA: Contains specific biosafety protocols and handling requirements for sensitive materials under Irish health regulations
• Clinical Trial MTA: Features additional patient data protection clauses and compliance with Irish clinical research guidelines

• Research Institutions: Universities and research centers that transfer materials to other organizations, often represented by their technology transfer offices
• Biotech Companies: Commercial entities developing or testing new compounds, often sharing materials with research partners
• Legal Teams: In-house counsel or external solicitors who draft and review the agreements to ensure compliance with Irish law
• Principal Investigators: Scientists responsible for overseeing the research and ensuring proper material handling
• Research Ethics Committees: Review and approve MTAs involving human tissue or sensitive biological materials

• Material Details: Document exact specifications, quantity, and handling requirements of materials being transferred
• Usage Terms: Define permitted research scope, publication rights, and any commercial restrictions
• Safety Protocols: List required handling procedures, storage conditions, and Irish health and safety compliance measures
• Intellectual Property: Clarify ownership of original materials and any discoveries made using them
• Key Contacts: Identify authorized representatives from both organizations who will oversee the transfer
• Timeline: Specify transfer dates, research duration, and material disposal or return requirements

• Identification Section: Full legal names and addresses of both transferring and receiving institutions
• Material Description: Detailed specifications of materials, including origin, quantity, and unique identifiers
• Usage Terms: Clear scope of permitted research activities and any restrictions under Irish law
• IP Rights: Ownership provisions for original materials and new discoveries
• Confidentiality: Terms protecting sensitive information and research data
• Safety Compliance: Reference to relevant Irish health and safety regulations
• Termination Clause: Conditions for ending the agreement and material disposal requirements

A Materials Transfer Agreement differs significantly from a Technology Transfer Agreement in several key ways, though both are common in Irish research and development settings. While MTAs focus specifically on the physical transfer of research materials, Technology Transfer Agreements cover broader intellectual property rights and technical knowledge transfer.

• Scope of Transfer: MTAs deal with tangible materials like biological samples or compounds, while Technology Transfer Agreements cover intangible assets like patents, know-how, and technical processes
• Duration: MTAs typically have shorter terms tied to specific research projects, whereas Technology Transfer Agreements often establish longer-term commercial relationships
• Commercial Rights: MTAs usually restrict commercial use, focusing on research purposes, while Technology Transfer Agreements explicitly enable commercial exploitation
• Regulatory Requirements: MTAs emphasize safety protocols and material handling under Irish health regulations, while Technology Transfer Agreements focus more on IP protection and commercialization rules