In an era of unprecedented challenges and opportunities, MIT remains at the forefront of pioneering research and innovation.
MIT’s relentless pursuit of knowledge was once again recognized when MIT was awarded 343 utility patents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2023. This marks the 10th consecutive year that the National Academy of Inventors has ranked global universities by patent count. U.S. Patents Issued and Recognized MIT is the single-campus university that issues the most patents. (The University of California system, which consists of 10 campuses and six academic health centers across the state, ranks first overall.)
Technology transfer is core to MIT’s mission to advance knowledge to benefit the world, and the Technology Licensing Office (TLO) plays a transformative role in bridging the gap between groundbreaking research and societal impact. Impact is recognized in many ways through startups, small and medium-sized companies and large enterprises. TLO’s patenting and licensing efforts are critical to transforming academic discoveries into practical solutions that meet social needs, drive economic growth and create new opportunities.
TLO receives more than 600 invention disclosures each year, resulting in a large number of issued patents. TLO’s ongoing strategic licensing work supports MIT’s efforts in six clear impact areas: healthy living, a sustainable future, a connected world, advanced materials, climate stabilization, and exploring uncharted territories. These areas are carefully curated to reflect the interests and priorities of MIT faculty and researchers, driving meaningful change through translation and technology transfer.
TLO Executive Director Lesley Millar-Nicholson further emphasized the importance of aligning efforts with Chancellor Sally Kornbluth’s vision for MIT. “Our collaborative efforts ensure that innovations born at MIT can have a global impact and solve some of the most pressing challenges of our time,” said Miller-Nicholson. “This reflects the deep commitment to Kornbluth in her work A shared commitment to the narrative of climate change in the inaugural address, ‘… [this is] It’s a great creative endeavor, and the energy you unleash together is greater than the energy you put in individually. Fusion of problems and possibilities! ”
Verdox and Cognito Therapeutics are two of a number of startups that embody large creative enterprises. Verdox, a startup out of the laboratory of T. Alan Hatton, the Ralph Landau Professor of the Practice of Chemical Engineering and dean of the David H. Koch School of the Practice of Chemical Engineering, has a mission to combat climate change by capturing carbon dioxide with unparalleled efficiency using electricity. Cognito was pioneered in the laboratories of Li-Huei Tsai, professor of neuroscience and director of the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, and Edward Boyden, Y. Eva Tan professor of neurotechnology and a member of the McGovern Brain Institute. Treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia, offer a non-invasive beacon of hope to Alzheimer’s patients through neurostimulation therapies. These companies are just two of many that have licensed and are developing MIT intellectual property and embody the spirit of MIT—they are not just companies, they are MIT The spirit of the academy. They are catalysts for a more sustainable, healthier world.
Technology Licensing Officer Nestor Franco highlighted the day-to-day journey of MIT research from concept to commercialization: “Our commitment to licensing these innovations not only expands MIT’s contribution to global progress, but also strengthens our commitment to the advancement of society. dedication,” he said.
As MIT continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, from deep space to quantum computing, TLO remains a cornerstone of the institute’s impact strategy.
To explore emerging cutting-edge technologies at MIT, visit patents.mit.edu. Here you can discover licensing innovations that can be used to shape the future. To learn more about TLO’s work and initiatives, and to learn how MIT inventions are being translated into social solutions, visit tlo.mit.edu.