UT System ranks 8th globally for most U.S. patents granted in 2016

AUSTIN—Discoveries in medicine and technology across institutions in The University of Texas System have earned UT a spot among the world’s top universities that receive U.S. patents for inventions.

The UT System is ranked 8^th among the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patent Ranking for 2016. The ranking — published by the National Academy of Inventors and Intellectual Property Owners Association — uses data from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to highlight the important role patents play in advancing university research and innovation. It lists public and private research universities as well as university systems.

"The patents our universities produce represent important processes, products and treatments which provide significant societal benefit as well as generate job creation that sustains and helps grow our local, regional and global economy," said Paul R. Sanberg, president of the NAI.

In 2016, researchers from UT’s eight academic and six health institutions were granted 162 patents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

“UT researchers are among the best in the state, nation and world, and are constantly pursuing new breakthroughs to advance humankind and enhance economies,” said Julie Goonewardene, UT System’s associate vice chancellor for innovation and strategic investment. “The UT System is committed to accelerating the success of these researchers by supporting them and their patents from the lab to the marketplace.”

Last year, the UT System was ranked 4^th by Reuters in its top 100 “World’s Most Innovative Universities” ranking, which list universities that are leading the way in transforming science and technology and impacting the global economy.

Across UT institutions, research and development expenditures total nearly $2.9 billion.

About The University of Texas System

Educating students, providing care for patients, conducting groundbreaking basic, applied and clinical research, and serving the needs of Texans and the nation for more than 130 years, The University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. With 14 institutions and an enrollment of more than 228,000 students, the UT System confers more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees, educates approximately two-thirds of the state’s health care professionals annually and accounts for almost 70 percent of all research funds awarded to public institutions in Texas. The UT System’s operating budget for FY 2017 is $17.9 billion, including $3 billion in sponsored programs funded by federal, state, local and private sources. With more than 20,000 faculty – including Nobel laureates and many members of the National Academies – and nearly 80,000 health care professionals, researchers, student advisors and support staff, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.