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Research on the rise, UA ranks third in Ohio in patents

Akron, Ohio, Aug. 31, 2009 - Researchers from The University of Akron disclosed 58 new inventions, filed 20 patent applications and received eight patents during fiscal year 2009, bringing UA's total U.S. patent count to 302 and placing the university as the third highest patent holder in the state. Ohio State University ranks first with 389 and Case Western Reserve University places second with 359. In patents per research dollar amounts, UA places first among the three universities.

These rankings are based on the June 30, 2009 report from the UA Office of the Vice President for Research to the UA Board of Trustees. The report - which covers UA and the University of Akron Research Foundation's (UARF) externally funded research programs - discloses that grants and contracts awarded for the past year totaled $48.3 million, up 40.9 percent (from $34.3 million in 2008), based on 443 projects. Federal awards were $17.8 million.

"The University of Akron Research Foundation has received $3.1 million for this past year based on 67 industrial grants and contracts," says UARF President Dr. George Newkome, UA vice president for research and dean of the graduate school. "License fees were off due to our national economy, but we did attract $455,000 last year, had three new license agreements and six new startup companies based on UA technology."

Established in 2001, the UARF holds equity in several companies for the benefit of the University. The foundation also administers private sponsored research agreements, allowing companies to receive an indemnity on the services provided, explains Wayne Watkins, UA associate vice president for research and president of the University Economic Development Association (UEDA). Watkins adds that the UARF has benefitted the university by enabling improved partnerships with industry and by providing support for technology-based startup companies. He points out that the Ohio legislature recently passed legislation that authorizes public institutions to acquire ownership interests in entrepreneurial projects in exchange for the right to commercialize intellectual property.

"This is an important step forward in fostering public- and private-sector collaboration to the betterment of the regional economic community," Watkins says. "Economic development has become a primary mission of higher education and has been a main focus of activities and initiatives for UA since 2000. The research foundation has significantly enhanced the university's capacity to support innovation and job creation, essential components of economic development."

The University of Akron is the public research university for Northern Ohio. The Princeton Review listed UA among the "Best in the Midwest" in its 2008 edition of Best Colleges: Region-by-Region. Serving 26,000 students, the university offers approximately 300 associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degree programs and 100 certificate programs at sites in Summit, Wayne, Medina and Holmes counties. For more information, visit http://www.uakron.edu/.

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