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About URVentures

University of Rochester

URVentures protects, develops, and commercializes the intellectual property arising from research at the University of Rochester.

PROTECT

Intellectual Property

URVentures protects the University’s Intellectual Property (IP). Intellectual Property can come in a number of different forms including patents, copyrights, and trade secrets. Our team determines patentability and market viability of University IP. We then work hand in hand with researchers, IP attorneys, and business professionals to develop IP assets for the University of Rochester.

DEVELOP

Technology Development

In an effort to bring the University of Rochester’s world-class research to life, URVentures has created the Technology Development Fund (TDF) and the Drug Development Pilot Award. These programs exist to support UR researchers as they develop and de-risk their innovations for the marketplace.

COMMERCIALIZE

Commercialization & Licensing

Each commercially viable technology is assigned a licensing manager with experience in the field. The licensing manager and researchers work together to identify industry partners for further development or licensing of the IP.

If technology is better suited for a new company, UR Ventures will work to identify entrepreneurs, secure start-up funding, and get industry feedback.

122
Invention Disclosures Submitted in FY19
78
Patents Issued in FY19
$1,529,393
Licensing Income in FY19
38
Startups formed since 2008
Annual Report Startup Portfolio

Click through some frequently asked questions about URVentures.

URVentures works with University of Rochester faculty and staff to protect, develop and commercialize the University’s intellectual property. Additionally, URVentures is involved in compliance, revenue distribution of licensing income and contract negotiation.

In 1980, the Bayh-Dole Act gave non-profit institutions the right to elect title to their inventions that had been sponsored by federal funds, so long as these institutions agreed to pursue the development of the technologies. Under Bayh-Dole, Universities have certain responsibilities, including reporting inventions to the funding institution(s) in a timely manner, and sharing income from those inventions with the inventors.To keep up with the extensive reporting requirements, and to ensure compliance with Bayh-Dole, most universities have established an office to coordinate technology transfer activities. At the University of Rochester, this office is URVentures.

The federal government is the chief source of external funding for R&D across the United States. Prior to 1980, the United States government owned any invention discovered or created through the expenditure of federal funds. The Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 gave non-profit institutions ownership rights to inventions that had been sponsored by federal funds, as long as the institution pursued the development of the invention.

Internally we work with faculty, staff, researchers and graduate students. We work closely with University counsel, deans and department chairs, and central administrative offices of the University. Outside of the University we are involved in the local and regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Our overall mission is to help translate research into products that make the world ever better. In pursuit of that mission, URVentures is staffed with an experienced team with scientific, legal, and business backgrounds. In addition to expertise, URVentures staff have valuable connections and resources to help bring your invention to market.

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