UCSF Plays Pivotal Role as UC is Named Most Successful in Tech Transfer
A study from the Milken Institute, an independent think tank, finds that the University of California system averaged the highest level of licensing income annually from its research discoveries in biotechnology.
"Mind to Market: A Global Analysis of University Biotechnology Transfer and Commercialization" looks at how well institutions of higher education do at commercialization, the process of turning intellectual property into business startups and licensing income.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the University of California averages nearly $100 million annually from licensing, partly from a UCSF-developed vaccine for hepatitis B that brought im $16.4 million in 2005. Within the UC system, UCSF leads in licensing income due to its innovations in medicine and biotechnology. UCSF ranked fourth in the number of biotech research papers and citations, behind Harvard University, the University of Toyko and the University of London, and ranked second in terms of U.S. biotech patents, after the University of Texas system.
The Chronicle quotes Joel Kirschbaum, PhD, director of the office of technology management, that UCSF's patents and licensing, based on research largely funded by the federal government, "gives taxpayers a return on their investment."
A news release from the University of California Office of the President details results of the study pertinent to the UC system:
San Francisco Chronicle, September 21, 2006 Study Names UC System as Most Successful University in Tech Transfer
University of California Office of the President, September 21, 2006 Mind to Market: A Global Analysis of University Biotechnology Transfer and Commercialization
Milken Institute, September 20, 2006
- • From 1997 to 2003, the University of California system was the most successful university in licensing income from its discoveries and inventions, a total average of about $100 million per year, followed by Stanford University ($50 million) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($33 million).
- • Among U.S. and Canadian universities, the University of California system is runner-up behind MIT in turning knowledge into commercially viable products and start-up companies.
- • UC ranked first for numbers of U.S. biotech patents issued, 723 patents between 2000 and 2004.
- • UC produces the second-highest number of start-up businesses, approximately 20 a year.
- • Three UC campuses are in the Top-10 rankings worldwide as measured by research publications, U.S. patents issued and the commercial impact of the discoveries. They are UCSF (4th), UC San Diego (6th) and UCLA (10th). Harvard University is No. 1 based on the three performance indicators.
- • One out of every five nanotech patents come from the UC system.
San Francisco Chronicle, September 21, 2006 Study Names UC System as Most Successful University in Tech Transfer
University of California Office of the President, September 21, 2006 Mind to Market: A Global Analysis of University Biotechnology Transfer and Commercialization
Milken Institute, September 20, 2006