University of Oklahoma Ranks Among Top Universities Nationwide for Technology Commercialization

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NORMAN, OKLA. – For a second year in a row, the University of Oklahoma has been ranked in the Top 100 Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents by the National Academy of Inventors. In addition to being the only university in Oklahoma to be recognized, OU’s No. 78 national ranking highlights the collaborative efforts of the OU Office of Innovation and Corporate Partnerships and others across the university’s innovation ecosystem.

“This recognition by the National Academy of Inventors underscores OU’s commitment to translational research that moves innovative discoveries to the marketplace, addresses pressing global challenges and drives Oklahoma’s economic prosperity,” said OU Vice President for Research and Partnerships Tomás Díaz de la Rubia.

In fiscal year 2023, 58 OU faculty across the university’s three campuses received 26 U.S. and foreign patents. Thus far in FY24, 23 OU inventors have been issued 11 U.S. utility patents and 12 foreign patents. These accomplishments stem from goals defined in OU’s “Lead On, University” Strategic Plan. These efforts include simplifying intellectual property options for corporate-sponsored research and establishing the iPath program for OU innovators.

Additionally, OU is having a record-breaking year for disclosures, the first step toward technology commercialization. For FY24, OU researchers have filed 72 disclosures: 41 disclosures by OU Norman faculty and 31 by OU Health Sciences faculty. Likewise, four faculty members are developing spin-off organizations based on their OU intellectual property, a milestone achievement for the university.

“This achievement is a well-deserved recognition of the creative work that is being done at the University of Oklahoma by our renowned faculty,” said Michael Schade, interim chief innovation and corporate officer and interim executive director of the Office of Innovation and Corporate Partnerships. “These patents represent the cutting edge of research and confirm that products that will shape our world tomorrow are being discovered here at OU today.”

Since 2013, NAI has published the Top 100 Worldwide Universities list. The Top 100 U.S. Universities list is the newest ranking published by NAI. It is meant to provide a more focused view of the national innovation landscape and the contributions made by U.S. academic institutions. NAI also plans to track other more concentrated areas of the innovation landscape.

“Innovation has always been at the heart of U.S. culture, and the Top 100 U.S. Universities list allows us to recognize and celebrate the commitment these universities have to the American tradition of invention and protection of IP,” said Executive Director of NAI Jamie Renee.

NAI’s Top 100 lists are created using calendar year data provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The top 100 placements include all named assignees listed on the patent. View the complete Top 100 U.S. Universities list.