For the third successive year, the University of Georgia has achieved the distinction of being ranked No. 1 among U.S. institutions for the quantity of commercial products introduced to the market by industry collaborators based on university research, according to an annual assessment carried out by AUTM. This signifies a robust decade in which the university has consistently secured a position in the top two, and UGA has never been outside the top five throughout the 12 years the survey has taken place.
In fiscal year 2024 (the year of the most recent survey data), UGA’s industry collaborators and startups produced 69 new products from research, establishing a university record. These innovations encompass a variety of sectors such as poultry vaccines, biodegradable plastics, virtual reality tools for disaster readiness, biomedical research instruments, and new plant varieties of turfgrass, blueberries, wheat — and peanuts, created by newly appointed National Academy of Inventors Fellow Bill Branch — just to mention a few.
“Being ranked among the top two universities for a decade is a significant acknowledgment of the impactful research undertaken by UGA faculty, staff, and students, our strong industry alliances, and the university’s fruitful commercialization program,” remarked Derek Eberhart, associate vice president for research and executive director of Innovation Gateway. “Translating research findings from our laboratories and fields to the marketplace enhances lives and stimulates economic progress as part of UGA’s land-grant mission.”
AUTM (formerly the Association of University Technology Managers) advocates for the commercialization of research at universities and other entities. The organization performs an annual evaluation of intellectual property licensing and startup initiatives, subsequently transforming the gathered data into a report that ranks institutions across multiple tech-transfer metrics.
Another FY24 product is Weather the Storm, a virtual reality experience developed via a collaboration between UGA, Clemson University, Georgia Sea Grant and South Carolina Sea Grant, along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This immersive program guides users through the impacts of a storm surge within a coastal residence, offering a virtual insight into the storm’s catastrophic effects and providing users with practical experiences.
UGA startup Lectenz Bio has also persistently released a plethora of glyco-research and bioprocessing tools that provide researchers with a variety of innovative and simplified techniques for studying glycobiology.
The AUTM rankings once more emphasize the university’s profound dedication to transforming research into tangible real-world effects. Innovation Gateway, UGA’s center for technology transfer and startup assistance, plays a vital role in this endeavor by collaborating closely with faculty to safeguard intellectual property, license technologies, and initiate new ventures.
“These achievements reflect the expertise, creativity, and commitment of our faculty, staff, and students,” stated Chris King, interim vice president for research. “Their efforts and dedication fuel UGA’s expanding reputation as a national frontrunner in research and innovation, and we’re proud to foster an environment where such efforts can flourish and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I would also like to recognize the contributions of the Innovation Gateway team in facilitating the path these technologies took to reach the marketplace.”
In the most recent survey, UGA secured the No. 4 spot among U.S. institutions for active licenses with industry, marking 18 straight years among the top 10. UGA ranked No. 17 in the number of licenses and options executed with industry (18 continuous years in the top 20) and generated $13.2 million in licensing revenue for fiscal year 2024, an increase from $12 million in the previous year.
UGA surpassed $600 million in annual research and development spending for the first time in fiscal year 2024, further illustrating the expansion of the university’s research enterprise. To discover how UGA research influences various aspects of life, delve into the latest UGA Research Impact Report.
“Our dedication to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges is bolstered by a robust ecosystem that integrates research, industry collaboration, and entrepreneurship,” stated Benjamin C. Ayers, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “In collaboration with our partners, faculty, staff, and students are transforming their discoveries into practical solutions that enhance lives and support communities throughout the state and globally.”
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