Life Science Patents Enrich Academe

摘要

Life sciences contribute the lion's share of patent revenues at leading US universities, outpacing contributions from physical science, information technology, and other fields. Life scientists also supply most of the inventions patented by the 10 technologically strongest US institutions, according to a study provided to The Scientist by research and consulting company, CHI Research. In 2001, the top 10 US universities generated 689 life science patents, compared with 263 in information technology and 245 in all other technology categories. These life science discoveries contribute 42% to the overall tech strength portfolio at these universities, compared with a 35% contribution by information technology and a 23% contribution from all other technology categories. The technical strength of a university indicates the extent to which its inventions influence others in their fields, as determined by how often its patents are cited by other patents.