ANN ARBOR As more and more discoveries made by University of Michigan Medical School researchers make their way toward becoming products that can help patients and health care providers, the school has named a new leader to accelerate that effort even further.

Data released last week show that UMMS researchers generated a wealth of technology transfer activity in the last U-M fiscal year, with a record 133 new inventions reported, and a record 41 patents issued. Both figures represent one-third of U-Ms total.

On other measures of how well ideas are moving from the laboratory to the clinical setting, the school posted solid results for FY2013.

According to U-M Tech Transfer, more than three-quarters of U-M FY2013 revenues from past patents and licensing agreements $11.1 million of $14.4 million came from technologies that began in the Medical School.

In addition, 44 of U-Ms 148 patent applications, 40 of its 108 new license agreements with industry, and two of its nine new business startups came from Medical School technologies in 2013. In all, 54 inventions from the Medical School were licensed as part of 40 license agreements with new and existing businesses

Now, the school has appointed Dr. Kevin Ward, a professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine with an extensive innovation track record, to lead an effort that will unify Medical School efforts to nurture commercialization and entrepreneurship activity in close collaboration with U-M Tech Transfer.

Wards appointment is part of the schools strategic research initiative, Fast Forward to Tomorrows Cures. As the first executive director for the new Fast Forward Medical Innovation initiative, Ward will bring together a broad array of efforts to help UMMS biomedical research discoveries make the transition to clinical application and to industry and venture partners.

The new initiative integrates the Medical School Office of Researchs business and commercialization groups Business Development and the MTRAC for Life Sciences commercialization fund under the umbrella of Fast Forward Medical Innovation. Ward and his team will partner with key units across campus, such as the U-M Tech Transfer, the College of Engineering Center for Entrepreneurship, the Business Engagement Center, and other schools and colleges -- as well as reaching beyond the university.

Ward and the medical innovation team will:

Establish a front door for supporting biomedical innovation at the Medical School and Health System. Continued...

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ANN ARBOR: U-M Medical School shifts innovation to overdrive