Newswise — This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the passing of the Bayh-Dole Act, legislation that fostered the commercialization of many new technological advances that impact the lives of millions of people across the nation. With today’s unveiling of a new website, the tremendous benefits of the law are available to the public for the first time in a dynamic new format.
The Web site, www.B-D30.org, provides links to articles and videos on the Act, its history, current news and more. The site includes examples of technologies and products that originated from federally funded university discoveries.
The Bayh-Dole Act is an enduring example of a public-private sector partnership addressing a common problem-- turning taxpayer funded research into products the public can use, along with creating jobs and new companies. As a result, US taxpayers enjoy access to products making their lives healthier while spurring economic growth.
Since the enactment of Bayh-Dole, more than 5,000 new companies have formed around university research. In fiscal year 2008 alone, more than 600 new products from university technologies were introduced to the marketplace. While no drugs were developed from federally owned patents before its passage, since Bayh-Dole’s enactment 153 new drugs, vaccines or in vitro devices are now protecting health around the world. Bayh-Dole is also credited for creating the U.S. biotechnology industry.
The new website is part of a partnership between The Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM), a nonprofit association of academic technology transfer professionals, the Association of American Universities, the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and BIO to the launch of a yearlong campaign leading up to the anniversary of the Act’s passage in December.
The group plans to enable its members to provide links to their success stories signifying the impact of the Act on their states and regions.
About AUTMThe Association of University Technology Managers is a nonprofit organization with an international membership of more than 3,000 technology managers and business executives. AUTM members — managers of intellectual property, one of the most active growth sectors of the global economy —come from more than 300 universities, research institutions and teaching hospitals as well as numerous businesses and government organizations.
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