The University's Rainmakers
Sampling UGA’s Cornucopia
The Technology Commercialization Office (TCO)—a division of the Office of the Vice President for Research and the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.—earned a whopping $24 million in revenue last year, making it among the most productive university tech transfer offices in the nation. TCO director Sohail Malik says that its portfolio of licensed intellectual property reflects the diversity of the research conducted at the University of Georgia and the talents of its faculty. Here are just a few of the technologies to come from UGA:
Human health and therapeutics: Levovir®, a hepatitis B drug; Restasis®, a dry-eye treatment; a drug to inhibit HIV, currently in clinical trials; biomarkers for identifying pre-diabetes; and stem cell technology for treating cardiovascular disease.
Food and agriculture: A wash to eliminate dangerous food pathogens such
as E. coli and salmonella from produce, poultry, and other foods; turfgrasses
for golf courses and athletic fields; a process to break down grasses for
biofuels; poultry vaccines; peanut and blueberry varieties; and ornamental
plants.
Engineering and physical sciences: Glow-in-the-dark pigments that have
multiple industrial uses, including signs and emergency lighting; and a
novel polymerization process of broad applicability such as in the medical
and automotive industries.
Software and information technology: “Cloud in a Box” software for wireless
communications and delivering ads through cell phones or computers; and
a new and rapid method to find edges on images in order to improve photos,
videos, and printing functions (the software can also be used to enhance
face recognition and the handling of images from MRIs and satellites).
Biotechnology: Numerous enzymes, genes, and gene clusters to improve the efficiency of biofuel production; commodity chemicals that are used as inputs to manufacturing processes; and a new vector for introducing the foreign genes that define genetically modified crops.
For a searchable list of technologies available for licensing, visit:
www.ovpr.uga.edu/tco/industry/technologies
