UA and Lorain to collaborate on technology development, licensing

As a further step toward collaboration under the Innovation Alliance, Lorain County Community College (LCCC) has become the third Northeast Ohio academic institution and first community college to collaborate with The University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF) to promote technology development and licensing in the region.

The partnership is aimed at creating economic growth in the region by more efficiently assessing and commercializing the intellectual property developed at both institutions.

"This new agreement further demonstrates the ability of Northeast Ohio institutions of higher education to collaborate for our regional economic benefit," says Kenneth Preston, UA's director of technology transfer.

"Our long-standing partnerships with The University of Akron and our recent Innovation Alliance partnership increase technology and economic growth in Northeast Ohio," says Dr. Roy Church, LCCC president. "This new partnership is further affirmation of our commitment to the region."

"Northeast Ohio is noted for the many innovative and cooperative efforts among its colleges and universities," says Dr. Luis M. Proenza, president of The University of Akron. "We are pleased to work with Lorain County Community College as we expand this important collaboration and leadership initiative in our region."

Similar agreements in place

The University of Akron announced similar agreements with Cleveland State University and Youngstown State University in late 2007. 

Under the CSU, YSU and LCCC agreements, UARF provides technology, commercialization and intellectual property management services, including:

• Evaluating products and technologies for commercialization or other technology transfer opportunities.
• Negotiating and administering contracts to transfer commercialization rights in intellectual property and technology.
• Identifying collaboration opportunities among universities and private companies.
• Supporting emerging enterprises.

Future agreements expected

Officials at all four schools say that future agreements could lead to the formation of a regional research foundation to provide services to interested collaborators.

Unlike typical university organizations, research foundations are affiliated non-profit groups that can hold equity in start-up companies, enter into independent contracts and manage technology licenses.

UARF won the University Economic Development Association's National 2007 Award of Excellence in Technology Commercialization and was named an "exemplary" technology transfer institution in a study conducted for the National Science Foundation.

UARF has increased University of Akron research funding by nearly $6 million in the past five years, helped create 26 companies and assisted many more, notes Dr. George Newkome, UA's vice president for research, UARF president, and dean of the Graduate School.

"UARF's unique structure and talented staff are an immense asset to The University of Akron," Newkome adds. "We believe our partners will benefit similarly, allowing us build on the strengths of all for the benefit of the entire region."

Lorain County Community College, located 25 miles west of Cleveland in Elyria, Ohio, is one of the top 15 fastest-growing community colleges in the nation, serving approximately 11,000 students each semester at the associate-degree level and another 3,000 at the bachelor's and master's degree levels. LCCC features 37 associate degrees and through its unique University Partnership program 29 bachelor's and 11 master's degrees. LCCC is also home to the Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise, an Edison Technology Incubator, which provides incubation and development services for businesses at the start-up or expansion stage. For more information, visit www.lorainccc.edu .