The university's systemwide exhibit will highlight the diversity of the university's research and scientific excellence and its ability to move inventions successfully from the laboratory to industry. (UC's exhibition booth is located in California Pavilion (C3-C5))
The University of California is the nation's leader in academic research and technology transfer. For 14 years in a row, UC is the largest recipient of patents in the United States and has an active portfolio of more than 8,200 inventions including the hepatitis B vaccine (UC San Francisco); the Camarosa, Ventana and Albion strawberries (UC Davis); nicotine patch (UCLA); and treatment of intracranial aneurysms (UCLA). UC researchers disclose nearly four new inventions per day. In fiscal year 2007, the university reported more than 1,400 new inventions, up nearly 8 percent from fiscal year 2006.
"The BIO International Convention is an excellent opportunity for the University of California to exhibit and showcase our contributions to the economy and our strong relationship with industry," said William Tucker, executive director, research administration and technology transfer for the University of California system. "With about one-quarter of the country's biotech firms located within 35 miles of a UC campus, the University of California is a critical component to driving California and our nation's economy forward. The university's research enterprise, coupled with our ability to quickly and effectively move inventions to commercialization, ensures that we remain a vital component of the economic engine that is driving innovation and keeping California competitive."
The University of California's systemwide technology transfer activities have resulted in more than 1,300 active licenses that have moved inventions from the research lab to industry. According to university statistics, approximately 1 in 3 California biotech firms were founded by UC scientists and engineers. More than 1,000 California R&D-intensive companies actively engage in research projects with UC scientists and students.
On Monday, June 16, from 5-7 p.m., UC San Diego will sponsor a "biofuels happy hour" a few steps from the San Diego Convention Center at the Omni Hotel, 675 L St. The journalists attending the conference are invited to talk one-on-one with six UC San Diego faculty members who are investigating how to make biofuels from wood chips, algae and other non-food starting materials. To RSVP, contact Jim Gogek at (858) 822-3736 or jgogek@ucsd.edu.
On Wednesday, June 18, from 6-9 p.m., the University of California will sponsor a reception for convention attendees at Deco's (731 Fifth Ave., San Diego). Media are welcome to attend. To RSVP, visit www.ucalumni.net/bio2008 (code OTT608) or send an e-mail to events@ucop.edu. Please provide name, address, daytime phone numbers, e-mail and media outlet.
About the University of California
The University of California, recognized worldwide for its academic distinction, includes more than 220,000 students, 170,000 faculty and staff, and an $18 billion annual budget at its 10 campuses at Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz. The university offers programs in more than 150 disciplines, many of which are ranked among the top 10 nationally. Fifty researchers affiliated with UC have been awarded Nobel Prizes; 18 of theses prestigious awards have been won since 1995. UC also has more than 350 members in the National Academy of Sciences, and UC-affiliated researchers have received 56 Medals of Science since Congress created the award in 1959. UC's five medical centers support the clinical teaching programs of the university's medical and health sciences schools and handle more than three million patient visits each year. The UC system also is involved in managing the U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories at Berkeley, Livermore and Los Alamos.
For more news and information about the University of California: www.universityofcalifornia.edu
For more information about UC's Office of Technology Transfer: www.ucop.edu/ott
For a copy of the fiscal year 2007 UC Office of Technology Transfer's annual report, which includes the latest data and information about the university's technology transfer program and patents at UC: www.ucop.edu/ott/genresources/annualrpts.html
For more information about BIO 2008: www.bio2008.org