Forum for Science, Industry and Business

In a Chilly Investment Climate, Canadian Universities Find Alternative Sources of Revenue

The survey also showed a 20 percent increase in industry support for university research, with companies committing $795 million towards innovative research projects.

The results were part of the annual AUTM Canadian Licensing Activity Survey: FY2010, which shares quantitative information about licensing activities at Canadian universities, hospitals and research institutions.

“Overall, the FY2010 data suggest that Canadian technology transfer offices continue to see the effects of the economic recession play out in a variety of ways," says AUTM President Robin L. Rasor, CLP, RTTP. "The overall number of invention disclosures from respondents decreased by nearly 10 percent. Licenses executed – a key indicator of future financial return – declined by more than 27 percent. However, a modest 1.7 percent decrease in overall licensing income was more than offset by a surge of nearly 50 percent in 'other income' – suggestive of offices’ efforts, in a chilly investment climate, to find alternative sources of revenue," adds Rasor.

"One positive metric in this year’s survey was industry funding for research, which increased substantially, by almost 20 percent, to $795 million," says Barbara H. Eccles, LL.M.,RTTP, AUTM Vice President for Canada. "Given the lag between research funding and commercial return, it will be interesting to see if this uptick in funding contributes to an increase in technology transfer activities," adds Eccles.

Members of the press may contact Jodi Talley at +1-847-559-0846 or jtalley@autm.net at AUTM headquarters to set up an interview and to request a complimentary copy of the survey report.

| Newswise Science News
Further information:
http://www.autm.net

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