FY2021 Letter

It’s Been Quite a Year.

Yes, it has. One that’s been challenging, to say the least and heartbreaking at its worst. We all suffered great loss, and it’s essential that we give voice to that right up front.

At the same time, at Tech Launch Arizona, we continued to pursue our purpose of commercializing the incredible inventions made possible by University of Arizona innovators. We continued make it happen with that “bear down” determination. We recorded 124 agreements – the most ever for the UArizona in a single fiscal year. We also launched 17 startups and grew in our patent pursuits, increasing both the number of patents filed as well as issued. In fact, on the list of the top 100 worldwide universities with the most U.S. patents granted in 2020 published by the National Academy of Inventors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association, the University of Arizona was ranked number 28. In 2018 we were ranked No. 66, and in 2019 we had climbed to No. 39. I look forward to achieving an even higher spot on the list on next year’s list.

But patents are only one of many indicators that demark our success. This year we saw more of our inventors recognized for their impact by organizations like the National Academy of Inventors. Even in the face of lockdowns and tightened restrictions on face-to-face interactions, we transitioned to an online strategy and grew our events program, engaging more people than in FY2020. We also grew our technology marketing program capacity, producing more potential licensee interest in UArizona inventions than in the past.

All that being the case, in the end we must measure ourselves by the social and economic impact our work engenders – and we continue to grow that impact month by month. The prime example as of this moment global eye care product company Alcon, which licensed a UArizona trifocal intraocular lens developed by optical sciences professor Jim Schwiegerling. The product has been approved for use around the world and is now helping over 500,000 cataract patients see better.

I’m so proud of not only what we achieved as a team, but also in working with our Research, Innovation and Impact partners, inventors and entrepreneurs across the university, and our external network members. Our upcoming move to The Refinery at The UA Tech Park at The Bridges will be an immense step forward as we evolve our operation and continue to grow and improve how we lead and serve the UArizona and local innovation ecosystems.

I thank everyone – internal and external – who has been engaged with us in pursuit of our mission. And if you are reading this and feeling inspired, don’t hesitate to call us and get involved and contribute to our mission of making a better world.

Let’s Lean Into Tomorrow Together,