Jobs Emerge from UT
Innovations offer economic hope
In the mid-1990s, Google was just an idea floating around a Stanford University dorm room. Today, Google accounts for nearly half of all Web searches and has offices on five continents. Although we aren’t always aware of them, great innovations from universities are integral to improving our quality of life and stimulating economic growth.
Locally, The University of Toledo is a key player in technology transfer, which is the process of developing a product or service from university research. From an anti-obesity drug to state-of-the-art software for learning anatomy and physiology, UT is steadily becoming a well-recognized leader in commercializing new discoveries.
Although the office was opened in 1987, technology transfer began in earnest at UT in 2002, and since then, it’s contributed to more than 210 local jobs and more than $15 million in annual payroll.
“Currently, we have about 125 patents issued, nearly 490 patents being reviewed in the Patent and Trademark Office, and 16 startup companies,” says Dan Kory, associate vice president for technology transfer at UT.
In the coming years, more innovations will emerge from UT labs. The following process outlines some UT researchers' latest discoveries as they move toward the marketplace.
Research Stage
When a UT researcher proposes an idea and receives funding, the research phase begins. At this stage, UT’s technology transfer specialists begin determining the invention's value in the marketplace, ensuring patent protection, identifying interested markets, and developing a target market campaign to gauge company interest.
One product in the research stage at UT has the potential to solve worldwide fresh water shortages. Dr. Isabel Escobar, associate professor of chemical and environmental engineering at UT, created a membrane filtration device, which has improved the process of filtering salt water to make fresh water. It's no surprise that companies from around the world are interested in her product.
Also in the research phase is Dr. Brent Cameron, associate professor of bioengineering at UT, who has developed technology to optimize insulin treatment and better control glucose levels in patients with diabetes. Glucose concentration levels in diabetics are influenced by numerous factors, such as nutritional intake, lifestyle, insulin dosage, and emotional state. Dr. Cameron’s neural network device for glycemic forecasting takes these influences into account to help medical personnel and patients with diabetes, while controlling health-care costs.
Product Development Stage
Once a product generates interest and UT technology transfer specialists identify potential licensees, negotiations begin. The product will either be licensed to an outside company or to the inventor, whom UT will assist to create his or her own startup company. Once the product is licensed, design and engineering begin. If the product is licensed to the inventor, UT assists with market research and analysis to plan how the start-up company will launch into the marketplace.
Esclapeus Biopharmaceuticals LLC is an example of a start-up company, created by Dr. Khew-Voon Chin, associate professor of medicine, biochemistry and cancer biology at UT. After more than 20 years in cancer research, Dr. Chin discovered a drug to treat obesity. The team at Esclapeus Biopharmaceuticals is confident they can help combat one of America’s most serious health risks with this small molecule obesity intervention.
Testing Stage
UT start-up company The Turning Point is in the final testing stage for its product called "The Core Trainer" before it goes to the marketplace. Testing is done to ensure the product is executing the functions properly.
The Core Trainer is the first exercise and conditioning device designed to increase trunk flexibility and core conditioning. The innovative product can significantly improve athletic performance, as well as benefit patients in physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Product Stage
The final technology transfer step is the product stage. As a commercialized product in this stage, the licensed company continues advancing the technology, makes additional investments, and manufactures the product.
Roy Schneider, manager of medical and biological illustration in the Center for Creative Instruction (CCI) at UT, led a team that developed an interactive, virtual human dissection program called Anatomy and Physiology REVEALED® that has made its journey through UT’s technology transfer process.
Rather than the commonly used illustrations, Anatomy and Physiology REVEALED uses layering techniques with real cadaver images, allowing the user to explore the entire body – from the skin to the skeleton. In 2006, the product was licensed to McGraw-Hill and is being marketed as a tool to teach undergraduates. Today, the program is used in 125 countries and more than 400 U.S. universities. UT is developing a third version to be released in early 2011.
Technology transfer at UT is nurturing the scientific research and inventions that could solve local, national and worldwide needs. “We have an obligation to get beneficial technologies into the marketplace so they can be used to improve people’s lives,” says Stephen Snider, director of technology, licensing and contracts at UT.
Through technology transfer, UT faculty, staff and students can affect economic growth. UT’s program has increased jobs and established new industries, businesses and products.
To learn more about new discoveries and technology transfer at UT, call (877) 451-2299.
