Terms and Conditions

The Research Biobank at the University Hospital of Padova collects, stores, and distributes biological samples and associated data to support research into the causes, diagnoses, and treatments of diseases. This resource is accessible to investigators from academic institutions and commercial organizations, following strict ethical and legal guidelines. Access to these materials operates on a cost-recovery model, where investigators contribute to the costs of processing, preparation, transport, collection, and storage of the samples. 

Supply and Use of Materials 
The Research Biobank (hereinafter referred to as the "Custodian") supplies biological samples and/or data (referred to as "the Materials") to recipient institutions under the following terms: 

1. The Custodian agrees to provide the Materials in accordance with its data and sample access policies, as outlined in the approved study application. 
2. In case of any conflict between these terms and a Materials Transfer Agreement (MTA), the terms of the MTA shall prevail. 
3. Ownership of the Materials and any unmodified derivatives remains with the Custodian. 
4. The Recipient must cover the costs of retrieving, processing, packaging, transporting, collecting, and storing the Materials as specified in the applicable cost model. 
5. The Materials may only be used for the purposes of the approved study, adhering to good laboratory practices. 
6. The Recipient may not distribute, sell, or transfer the Materials to third parties, nor use them in human subjects, clinical trials, or for diagnostic purposes. 
7. Accurate records of all research activities involving the Materials must be maintained, and compliance with relevant laws and regulations is mandatory. 
8. Samples must be treated as potential biohazards, with associated risks being the responsibility of the Recipient. Unused Materials must be returned or disposed of upon study completion or consent withdrawal. 

Data Protection 
The Custodian ensures that all data associated with the Materials is provided in anonymized or pseudonymized form. The Recipient must: 

• Adhere to applicable data protection laws and do not attempt to identify individuals from the data. 
• Inform the Custodian immediately if any personal data is inadvertently received and handle it in accordance with the Custodian's instructions. 

Confidentiality 
The Custodian and the Recipient agree to maintain confidentiality regarding: 

• Any information classified as "Confidential Information," including patient data, study details, and Material-related data. 
• Disclosure of such information will only occur with prior written consent or if required by law.

 
Intellectual Property and Publication 

1. Ownership of intellectual property rights existing prior to the transfer of Materials remains unchanged. The Custodian retains ownership of the Materials and any unmodified derivatives. 
2. Intellectual property rights arising from the use of Materials will belong to the party that creates them or as specified in any MTA or collaboration agreement. 
3. If the Recipient owns the similarity, it grants the Custodian a right to use it for teaching, non-commercial research, and patient care purposes. 
4. Publications or presentations of results involving the Materials require prior review by the Recipient. A draft must be submitted at least 60 days prior to submission, and delays of up to 90 days may be requested for the removal of confidential information or patent applications. 
5. The Custodian must be acknowledged in all publications, presentations, or promotional materials that utilize the Materials. 

For more details, please contact the Research Biobank team at the University Hospital of Padova.