KU ranks 40th among US public universities granted utility patents in 2022

Tue, 09/19/23

Mindie Paget

Split image showing skyline view of KU Medical Center campus on the left and a skyline view of KU's Lawrence campus on the right with a white light bulb icon superimposed on top of the images to symbolize innovation occurring at the University of Kansas.

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas ranked 40th among public institutions in the Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2022, a new list published by the National Academy of Inventors. The list showcases universities that play a pivotal role in advancing the innovation ecosystem within and beyond the United States. KU ranked 65th among all universities.

“Patents are keenly important to promoting innovation, with proprietary rights to an invention being the key ‘seed’ from which a new venture may grow,” said Clifford Michaels, executive director of the KU Center for Technology Commercialization. “The inclusion of KU on this year’s NAI list of top 100 U.S. universities recognizes not just the number and quality of new inventions coming from KU’s research community, but also the commitment of KU in support of innovative research.”

A utility patent, which is typically referred to as a patent for invention, is a type of intellectual property protection granted by a government authority for a new or improved product, process, machine or composition of matter. Utility patents are a fundamental tool for inventors and companies to protect their ideas and inventions, giving them a competitive edge in the marketplace, encouraging innovation and contributing to technological progress — which ultimately drives economic growth.

In the last three years, KU filed a total of 406 new patent applications and had 240 patents issued. This activity comes from a diverse group of academic schools and departments across all campuses and includes research and innovations in biotechnology, engineering, therapeutics, digital technologies, physical science, education, software and medical devices.

Since 2013, NAI has published the Top 100 Worldwide Universities list. The Top 100 U.S. Universities list is the NAI’s newest ranking and is meant to provide a more focused view of the national innovation landscape, featuring contributions by U.S. academic institutions. NAI’s Top 100 lists are created using calendar year data provided by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Top 100 placement includes all named assignees listed on the patent.

“As a U.S.-based national academy, it is important to us not only to showcase innovation happening on the broader world stage, but here at home as well. Invention has been part of the American experience since the country’s inception, with intellectual property being protected in the Constitution,” said Jamie Renee, executive director of NAI. “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.”