Last modified: Tuesday, June 27, 2006
IU Research & Technology Corporation announces record invention disclosures for FY 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- With a few days left in the fiscal year, Indiana University scientists have filed 257 disclosures with the IU Research & Technology Corporation, a one-year record for IU's agent for economic development. IURTC reported 127 disclosures in FY 2005.
Disclosures are confidential reports that explain the meaning of new research and provide suggestions for practical applications. Disclosures must precede the filing of patent applications and the sale of licenses related to the discoveries. The two-fold increase in disclosures this year suggests that IU scientists are more interested in seeing their discoveries protected and developed into licensable technologies.
"Disclosures are up significantly this year primarily due to the fact we have a crack staff at IURTC now," said IURTC President and CEO Mark Long. "We are fully staffed with the best people -- people who have spent considerable time in the labs of our top investigators, searching out technologies pro-actively, not letting technologies come to them."
Long credits Robert McDonald, clinical director for life sciences initiatives at the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, with much of the success. "Dr. McDonald has initiated new outreach efforts to inform faculty about our capabilities and our resources, and they're working," Long said.
The IU School of Medicine in Indianapolis filed 165 disclosures with IURTC. Remaining disclosures were filed by IU Bloomington researchers (57) and IUPUI researchers (35).
Among the technologies Long believes are likely to be licensed are a polymer that produces an improved dental restorative, a novel fuel injector for combustion wave rotor engines, and a nasal drug delivery device.
Not all FY 2006 disclosures will end up as usable technologies that make money for their scientists and the university. But some will, Long said. "Increased disclosures today mean increased licenses tomorrow. That's more revenue for more research and the development of life-saving products in the hands of the public provided by Indiana University researchers."
IU and BioCrossroads recently announced their joint creation of the position of Translational Science Officer, whose primary job is to identify licensable discoveries and technologies emanating from IU's eight campuses. Cynthia Helphingstine, who was hired into the role last month, will have an easier time locating those breakthroughs if IU faculty and staff continue to report their best work so diligently.
To speak with Mark Long, please call 317-278-1901 or e-mail mslong@indiana.edu.
