Tech Launch Arizona Creates Ecosystem of Invention, Commercialization

Arizona Daily Star
Special Section - Paul Tumarkin
January 27, 2016

In 2013, the University of Arizona created Tech Launch Arizona to commercialize inventions stemming from university research. Today, the Tech Launch Arizona structure has coalesced into three integrated teams.

Technology transfer, which identifies, protects and licenses UA inventions and supports startup formation.
Business development resources, which pulls in community technology experts, experienced entrepreneurs and successful business leaders to position inventions for market success.
Tech Parks Arizona, which provides space and support for businesses to grow their products and services while leveraging the talent and resources of the university.

In fiscal 2014, the university, via Tech Launch Arizona, reported record accomplishments in commercialization and has surpassed those accomplishments yet again in fiscal 2015.

In fiscal 2015 that ended June 31, Tech Launch Arizona received 213 invention disclosures from UA researchers, filed 99 provisional and 89 utility patents, granted 45 exclusive licenses and options for UA technologies, collected more than $2.3 million in revenue from royalties and patent reimbursements for UA intellectual property, received a one-time settlement payment of $2.3 million from a licensee for patent infringement, and nurtured the launch of 12 startup companies.

In terms of creating impact, a look at a few startup companies helps tell Tech Launch Arizona’s story:

SinfoníaRx, with proprietary software invented at the UA College of Pharmacy, is being widely deployed by health-care insurance providers to proactively monitor prescription medications for patients.
Synactix Pharmaceuticals has licensed a novel cancer treatment technology developed through UA College of Pharmacy research.
And Neuro-ID is commercializing security software developed at the Eller College of Management that can identify suspicious behaviors based on a computer or smartphone user’s typing, touch, scrolling or mouse movements.

“Expanding the UA’s impact through technology innovation, research translation and economic development is an integral part of this mission,” says UA President Ann Weaver Hart, “and the success of Tech Launch Arizona over the past two years is an important indicator of what is possible.”