Research Universities See Increase in Patents

Research universities are being more assertive by filing for more technology patents and fostering more small-business relationships, according to a study released by the Association of University Technology Managers.

The AUTM is a nonprofit organization that manages intellectual property by representing 142 universities around the nation.

In 2000, American colleges and universities filed for 8,534 patents and collected more than $1 billion in generated royalties from previous patents, a 40 percent increase from the previous year.

Local universities also have experienced growth in their licensed patents and small business startups.

In 2001, UNC-Chapel Hill filed for 98 patents, and 32 were issued.

At N.C. State University, 100 patents were filed, and 45 were issued in 2000.

According to Mark Crowell, associate vice chancellor for and director of UNC-CH's Office of Technology Development, revenue from patents and licensed technology generated around $1.2 million dollars for the University.

But Crowell said UNC-CH's revenue from patents is low in comparison to some other research universities.

"I think it would be fair to say that we are lagging," Crowell said.

Although the universities surveyed by the AUTM earned more than $1 billion dollars, revenue from research patents is not a significant source of income for universities.

Tony Waldrop, UNC's vice chancellor for research and graduate studies, said patent royalties are not substantial and sometimes barely cover the costs associated with researching.

Waldrop said the University has interests in protecting its research and marketing useful products and technology for the benefit of society.

"We are pushing for the opportunity for faculty, not for an immediate revenue stream." Waldrop said.

University research also develops into the creation of small businesses. In 2000, 12 new companies started from research done at UNC-CH, most of which are biotechnology businesses, such as Micell Technologies, Oriel Therapeutics Inc. and DarPharma.

Tim Lucas, director of news services at N.C. State, said the university is ranked fourth nationally based on numbers of startup companies, most of which originate from the university's Centennial Campus.

Lucas stressed that while revenue from patents is appreciated by university administrations, university funds are not being diverted away from other research programs that might be less profitable economically.

He said the focus of academic research will continue to be improvement in the classroom, laboratory and consumer market. Lucas said, "Technology transfer is a huge part of what we do."

The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.