Technology commercialization at University of Georgia among best in U.S.

Writer: Terry Hastings, 706/542-5941 thasting@uga.edu
Contact: Sohail Malik, 706/542-3819 maliks@uga.edu

Jan 3, 2008

Athens, Ga. – University of Georgia Research Foundation’s success in technology commercialization placed it among the best in the nation in 2006, according to the latest survey by the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM).

In the survey of approximately 150 universities, UGA ranked 19th, up from 24th the previous year, with $16.8 million. UGA comes in at 10th among all public universities, ahead of Georgia’s other public universities. UGA is amongthe 28 U.S. public and private universities reporting annual licensing income of over $10 million in 2006.

This is the sixth straight year that UGARF’s licensing income has increased.

“We are very proud of this ranking, which actually outstrips most measures of our overall success as a research university,”said David Lee, UGA vice president for research and University of Georgia Research Foundation executive vice president. “Our ranking is a sign of the university’s determination to turn research discoveries into products that improve peoples’ lives, and it shows that we are darn good at doing it.”

UGARF supports scientific research at UGA through working with business and industry to transform university research into products that benefit society. UGARF takes assignment of inventions, obtains patents and copyright or other intellectual property protection, and licenses inventions to the private sector in return for royalty income to further support the research mission of the university. UGARF is a separate entity from the university but partners closely with it.

“Ranking among the top 20 of all universities and 10th among public universities is a great achievement,” said Sohail Malik, UGARF’s director of technology commercialization. “It is a reflection of the university’s high quality of research and commitment to excellence, but it also is a tribute to the teamwork of our technology commercialization staff, who are hard-working, dedicated and knowledgeable experts, and UGA’s inventors.”

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