UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY-TRANSFER PROGRAMS - A PROFIT LOSS ANALYSIS/

An analysis was made of the financial profitability/loss of technology transfer programs in U.S. universities, hospitals, and research cente rs for 1995. Data were extracted from the AUTM (Association of Univers ity Technology Managers) survey and other published information. Royal ty payments were compared to estimates of technology transfer office c osts, patent fees, legal expenses, and new research grants. Approximat ely half of the programs in these institutions appeared to operate at a profit, albeit some had profits of several million dollars. Many sma ller university technology transfer programs have been in existence on ly 5-10 years and presumably have not transferred sufficient technolog y for a profitable royalty stream. When estimates were made of institu tion funds that are spent locally, the community benefit of technology transfer programs was $434 million. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.