UK AMONG TOP 100 WORLDWIDE UNIVERSITIES GRANTED U.S. PATENTS IN 2024 | | |
The University of Kentucky has once again been recognized among the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents, ranking No. 64 for 2024, according to the National Academy of Inventors. With 32 U.S. utility patents granted, 162 patent applications filed, and 675 patent assets held in fiscal year 2024, UK continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and real-world impact.
“The University of Kentucky’s continued inclusion among the top 100 global universities for innovation underscores UK’s leadership as a catalyst for research, discovery and real-world impact,” said Matthew Upton, director of Technology Commercialization at UK Innovate. “This prestigious recognition reflects the relentless drive of our researchers to push the boundaries of knowledge and translate their work into meaningful innovation.”
| | 2025 KENTUCKY INNOVATOR CHALLENGE SPARKS COLLABORATION & INSPIRATION | | |
UK Innovate hosted the 2025 Kentucky Innovator Challenge on Tuesday, April 15, at the Gatton Student Center, drawing more than 250 participants from across Kentucky’s business, research and academic communities.
Attendees heard from visionary leaders including President Eli Capilouto; Ilhem Messaoudi, Ph.D., acting vice president for research; Ian McClure, J.D., vice president for innovation at UK HealthCare and associate vice president for research, innovation and economic impact at UK Research; and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell. The event featured two panel discussions, four keynotes and nine TED-style presentations from corporate leaders on the future of innovation in health care, agriculture and engineering.
To close out the day, attendees enjoyed a networking reception provided by Dinsmore, an opportunity to continue conversations and build new connections.
| | LAUNCH BLUE ANNOUNCES SPRING 2025 INDUSTRY TRANSFORMATION ACCELERATOR COHORT | | |
Launch Blue has announced the four startups selected for its first-ever Industry Transformation Accelerator, held in collaboration with Valvoline Global Operations, OneUK, and partners including UK Innovate’s R&D Partnerships team and Invest Blue. The seven-week virtual program, running from April 9 to May 23, supports early-stage startups in developing strategies for pilot projects, funding and technology adoption.
The selected startups—AutoMetrics, H2OK Innovations, HeXalayer and Samiteon AI—will work closely with corporate collaborators, including leaders from Valvoline Global, and conclude the program with a pitch to Launch Blue’s corporate innovation network.
| | JOIN US AT BLUEPRINTS FOR INNOVATION: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN THE BLUEGRASS STATE | | |
In partnership with the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) and the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance (KYIPA), UK Innovate is co-hosting Blueprints for Innovation: Intellectual Property for the Bluegrass State on Tuesday, April 23, from 3 to 5:45 p.m. ET at the Gatton Student Center. This free event will explore how intellectual property fuels innovation and drives Kentucky’s economy.
The forum will feature a fireside chat with U.S. Representative Thomas Massie and former U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director Andrei Iancu, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Ian McClure, J.D., vice president for innovation at UK HealthCare and associate vice president for research, innovation and economic impact at UK Research. A networking reception will follow.
| | SUPPORT LAUNCH BLUE ON ONE DAY FOR UK | | On April 24, Launch Blue will take part in One Day for UK, the university’s annual fundraising event. Dedicated to growing Kentucky’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem, Launch Blue offers hands-on training that empowers students, entrepreneurs, innovators and emerging investors to build successful businesses and technologies that solve real-world problems. | | SAVE THE DATE: PATENT PALOOZA! 2025 | | |
Mark your calendars! Patent Palooza! 2025 is set for Tuesday, September 23. Join us as we celebrate the University of Kentucky’s innovation community with an afternoon of recognition, networking and inspiration.
More details to come!
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DATA MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Are you organized, detail-oriented and ready to grow your career in data management? UK Innovate is hiring a Data Management Specialist! In this role, you’ll manage intellectual property and agreement data, update records in our invention management system and record financial documents related to patent activity.
Deadline to Apply: 05/14/2025
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FY 2025
(THROUGH 03/31/2025)
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LICENSES/OPTIONS EXECUTED
MARCH 2025
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Baylor Scott & White Health
Nora Warshawsky
Bluegrass Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Michael Bardo, Jill Rebecca Ortinski, Thomas Edward Prisinzano
Case Western Reserve University
John Lyons
Gerrou Gasendo
Nora Warshawsky
The Methodist Hospital d/b/a Houston Methodist
Todd Burus, Pamela Hull, Lee Park
Iowa State University
Brooke Jenkins
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APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR LAUNCH BLUE’S UACCEL AND
UACCEL: HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS
Launch Blue is now accepting applications for its UAccel and UAccel: Healthcare programs—entrepreneurial training programs designed to help innovators turn ideas into impact. Both programs are part of the regional NSF I-Corps network and offer immersive experiences tailored to academic and healthcare-related technologies.
Deadline to Apply: 05/01/2025
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NIH MID-SOUTH REACH CYCLE 3 NOW OPEN!
Applications are now open for Cycle 3 of the NIH Mid-South REACH program, a unique funding opportunity for human health or life science innovations in need of product development support.
For questions, contact Feni Kadakia, Mid-South REACH program manager, at feni.kadakia@uky.edu.
Deadline to Apply: 05/09/2025
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