Innovation and strategic partnerships are essential to advancing the research enterprise at IU, which has been ranked for the ninth consecutive year among the top 100 universities worldwide for the number of U.S. utility patents granted.
The power of partnership and innovation
Life changing innovations
The IU Innovation and Commercialization Office (ICO) works with IU researchers to protect and commercialize inventions and translate IU research and discoveries into impactful outcomes that better lives around the world.
In fiscal year 2022, IU researchers made great strides in advancing innovation and commercializing their research.
149New invention disclosures
238Patents received
4Startups Launched
The inaugural IU Faculty Startup Accelerator Program is a new initiative focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. The program is specifically designed for IU entrepreneurs with early-stage, scalable business ideas. ICO experts advise and guide IU innovators through every step of the startup development process—transforming their research into market solutions, forming startups and navigating the commercialization process at IU.
Targeting gene therapies
To advance development of new cell- and gene-based therapies targeting genetic disease and cancers, a startup company created by two IU chemistry professors has licensed technology to Waters Corporation.
Learn more about new cell and gene-based therapies
Protecting infants
In an effort to help thousands of children throughout the world, IU will further develop a new technology to create a combination oral rotavirus-norovirus vaccine for infants.
Learn more about the rotavirus-norovirus vaccine
Shining bright
An innovative new material called SMILES, which was invented at IU, has the potential to advance technologies such as solar panels, solid-state lasers, medical imaging devices and 3D displays.
Learn about small-molecule, ionic isolation lattices
Partnerships drive success
To strengthen the innovative and collaborative entrepreneurial culture on our campuses, IU continues to build strategic relationships between industry partners and the IU community.
The Office of Business Partnerships serves as the central point of connection and coordination between business partners and other relevant campus units and organizations. It has worked with over 132 industry partners (FY22) and has helped raise more than $282.2 million (FY20-22) in philanthropy, research, sponsorships and trademark licensing.
Strategic partnerships with corporations and corporate foundations are crucial to driving collaborative innovation and increasing access to resources by harnessing innovation and improving outcomes. Here are just a few examples of how IU works with our industry partners to make an impact.
Monitoring a patient’s well-being
Smart fibers with sensors distributed along their length can be incorporated into medical devices such as catheters and endoscopes to provide real-time monitoring of a patient's well-being.
Read about the research
Supporting underserved students
Underserved high school students across Indiana receive career support opportunities through the Informatics Diversity-Enhanced Workforce program, supported by JPMorgan Chase since 2015.
Providing cybersecurity resources
Partnering with multiple organizations throughout the state, the Center for Applied Cybersecurity Research at IU provides cybersecurity resources, leadership training and consultation services to Indiana business leaders.