More than a dozen new companies grew from research completed at the University of Utah in the past year.
The start-up companies, 17 in all, are based on research in fields such as medicinal sciences, engineering and fine arts, and help propel additional U. research by bringing in licensing royalty revenue.
The number of new companies is especially impressive considering that, in 2006, the national average was four start-up companies for each major research institution, according to the U.'s Technology Commercialization Office.
"To generate another 17 companies from University of Utah research is a testament to the entrepreneurial faculty on campus and the self-sustaining economic engine that is being created in Utah," director Brian Cummings said in a statement Tuesday.
The new companies focus on everything from medical technology, including a unique imaging system to diagnose reflux conditions in children, to an animation, graphics and video production company.
The companies are:
Boulder Technology Development Labs
Focuses on an invention developed primarily for exercise physiology and training
Rescue Medical Systems Inc.
Features a CPR training device, intended for a mass market, recently featured on NASA's online journal
ThermImage
Imaging system used to detect pediatric kidney infections by diagnosing a reflux condition suffered by one out of every 150 children
Osteoseek Inc.
Developing bone-targeting polymeric drugs and manufacturing the methods to deliver the drugs
Larada Inc.
Plans to eventually globally market a non-chemical application to kill head lice using heat and air flow
ImageTechnologies Inc.
Working on a new method to detect carotenoid levels in the eye that could eventually lead to a host of ophthalmic diseases, including macular degeneration
Central Logic Inc.
Software development company is building a secure database to track medical records and hospital scheduling
LV Partners
Developing a personalized medical fund for some of the world's most problematic diseases
PowerMems
Working with the U.S. Navy and UCLA, has developed thin film batteries using cubic-millimeter sized power supplies based on 3D geometries
Angry Duck Productions
Animation, graphics and video production company that will train students from the U.'s College of Fine Arts
Cerebus Carbon Solutions LLC
Will work with the Energy and Geoscience Institute to develop unique carbon capture technologies
UGEN
Personalize care for breast cancer patients by matching tumor subtypes with specific drug treatments
Navigen
Focuses on genetic techniques to identify patients who are predisposed to retinal diseases
BioFuels Development Corp.
Developing clean-burning fuels
State-of-RT
Working on tools for advanced lighting and models for use in high-fidelity datasets
N-Focus
Developing a silicon-based micro-camera for use in cell phones and camera with a lens just slightly larger than the lead of a mechanical pencil