Hopkins has begun searching for a new director of the Office of Licensing and Technology, the department that licenses the discoveries of its scientists, after the previous director William P. Tew left his job.
Critics of the department have said that funds for scientific research at Hopkins, part of which come from revenues garnered from patented discoveries, have been insufficient. Some attribute this dearth of financial support to the fact that Tew's office had not worked aggressively enough to persuade companies to fund its research.
Consequently, the University has not been able to fully license its discoveries or start firms in which the University can profitably invest.
"We can do better and be a better partner to the outside," Vice Provost for Research Theodore Poehler said. "Obviously, there are many improvements to be made."
According to the Association of University Technology Managers, Hopkins reported $8.1 million in licensing revenue in 2002 while Stanford University raised considerably more with a reported revenue of $82.1 million.
This disparity, said Pew, was a result of Stanford's larger office and its licensing of a few lucrative discoveries that brought in multi-million dollar profits.
According to Poehler, Hopkins is now focused on improving business development and interaction with corporations and aiding the development of a biotechnology park.
"The stats are such that 60 to 65 percent of discoveries patented are in the biological sciences," Poehler said.
"Computing and engineering are relatively translatable fields," he added. "We can't have a single focus, there's got to be a balance."
Poehler said that biomedical devices, pharmaceuticals and laser diodes are some of the biggest items that people patent.
Poehler added that the University's partnership with a new biotech park will help its transition and expansion to more fields.
