Page 64 - Mass General Brigham - Innovators Guide 1.1

64 INNO V AT O RS GUIDE | M ASS GENERAL BRIGH AM

13
Managing Conflicts

13 of Interest (COI)

Definition Policy outline

Collaborations with industry are increasingly required to translate research The outline of policy provisions below is offered to make sure that you are
and its clinical application. The federal government statutorily encourages aware of what the limitations are and to make it easier for you to structure
institutions and investigators to work to commercialize the research it outside relationships that are fully compliant with institutional policies.
sponsors. Organizations that provide clinical care and conduct clinical The below summarizes the policies; staff are encouraged to consult the
and laboratory research, academic medical centers and their faculty are full policy documents for more details, http://www.partners.org/Assets/
required to comply with many requirements when they work with industry. Documents/About-Us/OII/OII_Policy.pdf. For ease of reference, policies
These are designed to ensure that research, educational activities, and are organized by topic areas.
patient care are not inappropriately influenced by economic stake holding.
Mass General Brigham supports outside relationships, within certain
parameters, as they can provide staff with important professional Office for Interactions with Industry
opportunities that often enhance their work within the system. Mass
General Brigham and Harvard Medical school have adopted COI policies The Mass General Brigham Office for Interactions with Industry (OII) was
that manage, restrict and, in some situations, prohibit certain specific types established to assist Mass General Brigham staff members in navigating
of outside activities; and has adopted certain processes for the handling of these policies and to oversee the processes. The staff of OII is available to
these activities. By having these policies and processes, we are preserving assist all innovators. Inquiries can be sent to: PHSOII@partners.org.
the ability of our institutions and staff to engage in many sorts of fruitful Where appropriate OII is available to meet to discuss these provisions
relationships with industry while at the same time protecting the integrity and their impact.
of our research and other Mass General Brigham activities.

Innovators are encouraged to become familiar with the policies and the
logic behind them. Typically, the more knowledgeable an innovator is the
more quickly the COI process can advance.