UNMC recently acquired its sixth patent of the year, up from four last year.
The latest, an invention by UNMC’s Thomas Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research, and Daniel Monaghan, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology, protects a method of screening drugs for preventing atherosclerosis.
“While the process of getting a patent is challenging, its rewards can be very significant,” said Leonard Agneta, J.D., UNMC patent attorney and special assistant general counsel for intellectual property.
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Inventors, IPO staff work together
Housed on the second floor of the Campus Training Center, the IPO staff interacts with UNMC researchers to capture, evaluate and protect intellectual property so it can be licensed.
“This success could not have been attained without the dedication and commitment of the inventors,” Agneta said. “The process began with an invention disclosure to the IPO and required continued involvement of the inventors.”
The patent is derived from a disclosure made in 1996. One patent already has been issued on the original disclosure. Claims of the most recently issued patent were first filed upon in 1999.
“Since making the disclosure the inventors have assisted the IPO by helping complete critical paperwork, reviewing numerous drafts of the application, commenting on office actions received back from the Patent and Trademark Office and generally keeping the office apprised of the progress of their research,” Agneta said.
Licensing, marketing
The patent is licensed to UNeMed, who is actively seeking commercial partners who might benefit from the technology. UNeMed’s licensing usually begins after the IPO has evaluated and protected the invention.
“We’re hoping our position in the field will attract those willing to invest in further research leading to a new class of marketable anti-atherosclerotic drugs,” Agneta said.
Searching for an alternative
In their research, Drs. Rosenquist and Monaghan are searching for a drug that ultimately produces a positive effect on blood vessels — similar to that of alcohol, but minus the damaging effects and intoxication.
Testing continues, Dr. Rosenquist said, but “from preliminary observations we’re optimistic that we’ll be successful.”
The motivation for putting forth the effort to help file a patent application comes from the “confidence that your data is unique and valuable,” Dr. Rosenquist said. “This patent acknowledges that according to the rigorous patent system the work we’re doing related to atherosclerosis is unique.”
Filing patents, more info
Patents should be sought when there’s a practical application related to the discovery, Agneta said.
For more information on disclosures and patents, call UNMC’s Intellectual Property Office at 559-2170.