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In 2006, the University reorganized and decentralized much of its technology transfer operations. Under the previous structure, the office was responsible for the technology transfer activities on all four campuses. As part of the reorganization, each campus established its own office to provide more direct access to faculty inventors and to better suit the campus culture. The campus offices have both the responsibility and the authority to make decisions and commit resources in pursuit of technology transfer and economic development. The campus offices work directly with faculty and firms, and are responsible for all licensing and business development activities on their respective campus.
Reporting directly to the vice president for research and economic development, the Office of Intellectual Property Administration (IPA) was established as the UM technology transfer component. IPA establishes System-wide policies and procedures, develops standard forms and agreements, and supports the campus offices through financial funding, access to a centralized technology transfer management database, and use of an in-house patent attorney for preparing and filing patent applications. IPA also is an advisor to the vice president and campus offices on issues related to intellectual property management and University intellectual property policy, procedures and decisions.
The decentralization of technology transfer has seen an improved focus on faculty service and user satisfaction, which has lead to an increase in the number of invention disclosures received. A number of license agreements have been entered into that might not have occurred under the previous structure.
Notable products on the market resulting from inventions licensed from the University of Missouri include Ceretec®, Quadramet® and Zegerid®. Ceretec®, marketed by GE Healthcare, was the first technetium radiopharmaceutical used for imaging brainflow in patients with neurological disorders. Quadramet®, marketed by Cytogen Corporation, is the most widely-used radiotherapeutic drug for relief of intractable bone pain in patients with metastatic bone cancer. Zegerid®, marketed by Santarus Inc. and its marketing partner, is the first immediate release proton pump inhibitor on the market, bringing relief to patients suffering from upper GI diseases and disorders. To date, licensure of these inventions has generated more than $32 million in royalty revenues to the University.
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