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Michael Dixon, Ph.D. |
In fact, it’s been three good years, as invention disclosures have increased 60 percent and patents and patent applications have increased 43 percent since 2003.
“The IPO is definitely making strides,” said James Linder, M.D., associate vice chancellor for research. “We are very pleased with the results that are being generated, and we’re optimistic that this trend is going to continue as research becomes more of a priority on our campus.”
For the past 10 months, Michael Dixon, Ph.D., has served as interim director of the IPO. In July, the interim was removed from his title, and he was named director. “Michael has done a terrific job of moving the IPO forward as interim director,” Dr. Linder said. “He has earned the promotion to director. We have total confidence that we’ll continue to see progress being made in the IPO.”
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The event – the 6th Annual Inventor Recognition Reception – honors researchers for earning issued patents during 2005. This year’s honorees include four people still working at UNMC: Jonathan Vennerstrom, Ph.D., pharmaceutical science; Steven Hinrichs, M.D., pathology/microbiology; Peter Iwen, Ph.D., pathology/microbiology; and Daniel Monaghan, Ph.D., pharmacology. In addition, seven people who have left UNMC will be recognized: Sudhir Paul, Ph.D., Gennady Gololobov, Ph.D., Larry Smith, Ph.D., Jianxing Zhang, Ph.D.; Travis Henry, Ph.D., Robert LeVeen, Ph.D. and Randy Fox, Ph.D. UNMC inventors and key administrators will attend the invitation-only reception. |
“Many people look to the university as an economic driver. Through the research enterprise and development of intellectual property, we can create new jobs as well as new companies,” Dr. Dixon said. “The assets we create are very valuable and allow research to be further developed and commercialized. This leads to a clustering effect – as the university grows, you can grow businesses around it. It’s a win-win for the university and the local community.”
Currently, the IPO has been seeing about 40 invention disclosures per year, Dr. Dixon said. He said that number likely would climb to 50 in fiscal year 2007, which would be an increase of 25 percent. UNMC presently owns 151 U.S. patents with another 68 patent applications pending. In addition, UNMC owns 170 foreign patents and patent applications.
During the past fiscal year, UNMC and UNeMed, the marketing and licensing arm of the university, generated $518,000 in revenue from technology transfer related activities, such as licensing fees, royalty payments and reimbursement of patent expenses. In addition, these activities have generated additional sponsored research funding for several investigators. One UNMC researcher, Vinod Labhasetwar, Ph.D., received a sponsored research grant of nearly $1.2 million, which was linked directly to a license agreement to continue his innovative work using nanotechnology to deliver drugs more effectively.
Dr. Linder said three people have recently been added to the IPO staff:
- Steve Schreiner, Ph.D., has assumed Dr. Dixon’s previous position as faculty liaison/technology transfer associate. Dr. Schreiner completed his post doctoral work in the lab of Rob Lewis, Ph.D., Eppley Institute, then taught biology for a year at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
- Joe Runge, J.D., has been named contracts manager and will handle contracts, materials transfer and confidentiality disclosure agreements. He earned his master’s and law degrees from the University of Iowa.
- Patricia Lucas will serve as patent paralegal. She previously worked in Massachusetts and brings more than 15 years of patent experience to UNMC.
For more information on intellectual property, visit the IPO Web site at www.unmc.edu/ipo.