KU News Release

New organizational structure will enhance KU research commercialization

LAWRENCE — The effort to turn faculty research into products and companies is about to get a significant boost at the University of Kansas.

Effective July 1, separate technology transfer offices at the Lawrence and medical center campuses will combine to form a new KU Center for Technology Commercialization. The goal is to move the results of KU research into the marketplace, benefiting society while enhancing economic development in Kansas and the region.

“KU has a strong foundation in technology transfer,” said KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway. “Faculty throughout the university — from education and social welfare to pharmaceutical chemistry, medicine and engineering — come up with new ideas and treatments that may have commercial value. It only makes sense to increase our efficiency by combining offices. This also makes it easier for businesses and inventors to work with the university.”

Research that benefits others
If a researcher’s invention shows potential, KUCTC will seek appropriate intellectual property protection, said Jim Baxendale, director of the center. This can result in a new company or the licensing of the invention to an existing company. The inventor and the university benefit financially, but that’s not the only reason KU does it.

“We provide this service because it’s part of KU’s mission, and we want our research to benefit others,” said Baxendale. “Economically, it’s good for Kansas when local companies start up, expand and prosper because of research coming out of KU.”

Currently, 17 companies active in Kansas originated with KU research. In addition, the university has 91 licensing agreements with companies that use KU patents. About a third of these agreements are with Kansas companies. The others bring money into Kansas from other states. Royalty revenue generated by licensing is used by the university to support more research.

Local companies that started with KU research include KC BioMediX, Cadstone, CritiTech, CyDex, eLearning Creations, Flint Hills Scientific and XenoTech. Some of the companies produce medical devices or enhanced drug delivery solutions. Others involve educational materials or computer software.

Research and entrepreneurial spirit
According to Baxendale, KU has received invention disclosures from nearly 300 faculty in a range of departments. The university holds 150 active U.S. and foreign patents.

“We receive up to 70 new disclosures each year,” he said. “All of them are important, but not all of them wind up as products. Even so, this growing level of activity demonstrates the strength of KU research and the entrepreneurial spirit of our faculty. The KUCTC hopes to capitalize on both.”

KUCTC will have six staff members and an office on each campus. A 13-member board comprised of faculty and staff from both campuses and area business leaders will be chaired by KU Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Richard Lariviere.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.