UGA’s Technology Commercialization Office has been ranked among the best in the nation in moving research breakthroughs from the university to the marketplace for the fourth consecutive year.
The most recent report published by the Association of University Technology Managers in December placed UGA second among all U.S. universities for the total number of license and option agreements executed. Only the University of Washington ranked higher.
Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, the University of Michigan, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Florida and Stanford University also were among the top 10. Notably, only UGA and the University of Washington ranked among the top five for the past four years in a row.
The annual report is the primary source for quantitative information about licensing activities at U.S. universities, hospitals and research institutions.
“Through their innovative work, UGA researchers are making significant contributions in improving the lives of millions of people around the world. The TCO team is very proud and grateful to our researchers who work with our office and help us in bringing their technologies to market for public benefit,” said Sohail Malik, director of TCO. “The secret of our success lies in the teamwork between our researchers and the TCO staff. The credit for our high national ranking goes to our researchers for their relentless efforts in pursuing creative research, our experienced, professional commercialization team and the support of university’s senior administration.”
UGA also ranked highly for licensing revenues, which are used to support university research. With $6.7 million in fiscal year 2010 revenue, UGA ranked 15th among public universities. In addition, with total licensing revenues of $61.3 million, UGA ranked ninth among public universities, and 18th overall for the period (2008-2010) cited in the AUTM report.
Through domestic and international licensing activity, TCO facilitates partnerships with industry and other institutions that result in the translation of UGA research discoveries into tangible products that benefit Georgia, the U.S. and the world. More than 300 products originating from UGA have reached the marketplace. Examples include a drug for the treatment of hepatitis B; plant varieties such as peanuts, and blueberries, as well as vaccines, research tools, software applications and more.
“The success achieved through the combined efforts of UGA researchers and our Technology Commercialization Office continues to be a great source of pride for the university,” said David Lee, vice president for research and executive vice president of the University of Georgia Research Foundation Inc.
