New Study: UA Ranks Among the Best in U.S. in Technology Transfer Efforts

Akron, Ohio, Oct. 18, 2007 — When it comes to return on research investment and efficiency in transferring technology developed by its researchers to businesses regionally and nationally, The University of Akron once again stands out among the best in the United States, according to an influential new study.

The university has been named an exemplary institution for “successfully advanced innovation partnerships through technology transfer despite their modest research expenditures, rural locations and other challenges” in a study conducted by Innovation Associates Inc. of Reston, Va., and supported by the National Science Foundation.

UA is one of 10 institutions of higher education examined in the report.
While the federal government spends about $141 billion annually on research and development, its expenditures on technology transfer and commercialization are comparatively insignificant, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

“There is a huge gap between patenting an invention and putting it to use in industry,” says Dr. George Newkome, UA's vice president for research and president of the research foundation. “Thus far, government organizations have done little to bridge the gap, so universities are finding ways to commercialize their technologies without additional financial support.”

“It is gratifying to see that our University of Akron Research Foundation's commitment to technology transfer efforts is gaining much-deserved attention nationally,” Newkome adds. “This effort relies on the talent and experience of professionals to assist in creating new and inventive partnerships between the university and industry.”

The study cited four examples of The University of Akron's excellence, including:

• University President Luis M. Proenza's role in encouraging and fostering productive research: “The university president's vision can be a critical factor in promoting successful technology transfer: UA's President Proenza set the course for building research capacity and translating that capacity into innovative commercialization outcomes” the report noted. “Through his strategic leadership, the university has experienced substantial increases in federal research funding and subsequently, increased patents and startups.”

• Focusing on and building and leveraging core strengths: “UA's strategy of building and leveraging research excellence in polymers and related science and engineering fields has contributed to increased research funding and technology transfer outcomes.”

• Establishing long-term, industrial relationships is another of UA's sound strategies, the report noted: “UARF works flexibly with corporations and has been willing to forego immediate rewards in order to build relationships for future opportunities. This strategy has been used successfully by technology transfer powerhouses such as Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and will likely bear fruit for UARF.”

UARF is a not-for-profit organization supporting the university. It has created 21 companies and continues to support research in the region and the university.

• UA's ongoing New Landscape for Learning campus enhancement initiative also was cited: “UA's pro-active engagement in improving not only campus buildings and grounds but also the infrastructure and green space around the University has made UA more desirable to prospective students and top faculty. It also sends a message to local business and industry about the University's commitment to the community.”

Based upon its study of the exemplar institutions, the report makes several recommendations to national policymakers; academic leaders; and state and local governments, organizations and policymakers. It also looks at three issues that affect institutions' ability to achieve technology transfer: the “valley-of-death” period between initial funding and commercial application; involvement of minority institutions and colleges; and effects on industry-university relations.

UA's “impressive team of professionals” was also singled out, noting that in 2001, Proenza recruited Newkome as vice president for research. Before coming to UA, Newkome was responsible for the rapid growth in research and technology transfer at the University of South Florida.

Newkome then brought in Kenneth Preston to head the Office of Technology Transfer. Preston, former vice president and senior counsel at TRW, was joined by Wayne Watkins, a leader in technology transfer who helped administer the private Utah Innovation Center that led to the nationally prominent Wayne Brown Institute Venture Accelerator Program in Utah.

Newkome later recruited former industry executives Gordon Schorr and Barry Rosenbaum to augment the university's technology transfer and commercial expertise as UARF senior fellows.

The Ohio Board of Regents recently ranked the university first in the state for the highest rate of return per research dollar leading to the commercialization of technologies. The ranking was based on productive technology licenses, formation of start-up companies and direct industry research support by Ohio companies. UA was followed by Ohio State and Case Western Reserve universities, both of which have large medical complexes.

One of UA's technology success stories involves MemPro Ceramics Corp., a Colorado company working with the university to develop industrial filtration products.

"Without a doubt, UARF's economic development goals for Northeast Ohio have been evident in all our interactions with the university,” says John Finley, MemPro chairman and CEO who recently opened an office in Akron. “Our relationship with UARF has been the single most important factor in attracting us from Colorado.”

Other universities featured in the report include Alfred University (N.Y.), Brigham Young University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Iowa State University, Montana State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Springfield Technical Community College (Ill.), University of Central Florida, and University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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