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University of Michigan Technology Transfer and FluMistAmerica's universities provide more than a world-class educational system. University researchers and scholars create the fundamental knowledge essential to our economic growth, health and prosperity. Advances in science and technology on our nation's campuses are the underpinnings of the new businesses, new jobs, new markets and new products and services that improve the lives of all Americans. According to the most recent Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) Survey (2001), more than 1,200 products currently on the market are based on discoveries licensed from universities, with close to 300 being introduced just in 2001. Since 1980, more than 3800 new businesses have been created to commercialize university technologies, with over 2500 still operating in 2001. In the past five years alone, 34 companies have spun out from the University of Michigan. These companies launch from programs of study from around the University, incorporating innovations in engineering, medicine, chemistry and computer science. Among other things, they include companies dealing with Internet management, software for science education, vaccines, cancer and heart disease therapies, sensors, lasers, micro electrical mechanical systems, ergonomics and beyond. FluMist is a wonderful example of University of Michigan research results being put to work for public benefit. Invented over the course of 40 years of research by UM epidemiology professor Hunein F. "John" Maassab, FluMist promises to revolutionize the manner in which flu vaccinations are administered. The University of Michigan is appreciative of the efforts undertaken by MedImmune, the licensee of FluMist, in order to see this technology move from the lab into the marketplace. Without the help of such dedicated and far-sighted partners, the task of technology transfer would be far more difficult. The FluMist technology was originally licensed to the company Aviron in 1995. According to the terms of this license, the University of Michigan held an equity stake in Aviron (5 percent at the time of agreement in 1995) and will receive a 1.5 percent royalty on products sold. With the purchase of Aviron by MedImmune in 2002, MedImmune has assumed responsibility for the royalty payments to UM and the remaining Aviron equity options have been converted into MedImmune equity options. Funds generated from this arrangement will be used to further research within the University of Michigan and the School of Public Health, where Dr. Maassab has his appointment. Over the course of the past five years, the University of Michigan has exercised its option to sell a portion of its stock in MedImmune/Aviron. As of July 2001, the net revenue of these sales has been about $9.4 million. These funds have been divided, in accordance with the licensing agreement, between University of Michigan central administration, the School of Public Health, the SPH Department of Epidemiology and the individual inventors of the technology. As a result, research at UM is already benefiting greatly from the relationship with MedImmune.
University of Michigan Technology Transfer: For more information, contact
Mark Maynard, marketing manager, UM Technology Transfer, (734) 764-4290
or mmaynard@umich.edu; or
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