KU ranks 60th among US public universities granted utility patents in 2023

LAWRENCE — For the second year in a row, the University of Kansas has landed a spot on the National Academy of Inventors' top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents list.

The 2023 list showcases universities that play a pivotal role in advancing the innovation ecosystem within and beyond the United States.

“Patents are incredibly important to promoting innovation, with proprietary rights to an invention often being the foundation upon which a new opportunity or business is built,” said Clifford Michaels, executive director of the KU Center for Technology Commercialization. “The repeated inclusion of KU on this year’s NAI list of top 100 U.S. universities demonstrates our institution’s sustained investment and commitment to supporting innovation and commercialization.”

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.

From 2021 to 2023, KU filed 376 new patent applications and had 165 patents issued. This activity came 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.

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 we look at the current and future state of innovation in our nation, we need to ensure that the U.S. is remaining competitive in the international innovation ecosystem,” said Paul Sanberg, NAI president. “Protecting intellectual property is a key component to this, and the Top 100 U.S. Universities list allows us to recognize and celebrate universities and their faculty, staff and students who are not only innovating at high levels but taking the additional step of protecting their IP through patenting.”