By Erin Rothwell, Vice President for Research, University of Utah

Utah is shaping the future of innovation. From neurotechnology restoring bodily movement to AI tools forecasting environmental threats, the University of Utah’s discoveries are solving critical real world problems. Yet behind these breakthroughs is a federal policy quietly powering our success—the BayhDole Act. 

For more than 40 years, the Bayh-Dole Act has provided the framework that accelerates innovation, empowering universities to translate federally funded research into real-world solutions. A section-by-section analysis of the law outlines how Bayh-Dole enables institutions to retain ownership of inventions and license them for public benefit, a model that has helped generate over $1 trillion in U.S. economic impact, up to $1.9 trillion in industrial output, and supported more than 6.5 million jobs between 1996 and 2020. 

Utah: A National Leader in Innovation Capacity 

Recent data underscores our momentum: 

• A national Innovation Intelligence Index ranked Utah #1 in innovation capacity and outcomes, citing our robust ecosystem of research, commercialization, and startup creation.  

• The University of Utah was also ranked second in the nation among universities most likely to produce unicorn companies.  

These rankings reflect strategic investments in infrastructure, talent, and collaboration, investments that BayhDole helps transform into impact. 

From Discovery to Impact: Bayh-Dole at Work 

At the U, BayhDole fueled the FY25 outcomes like: 

• 530+ disclosures* 

• 43 patents issued 

• 27 technologies licensed 

• $27.4 million in licensing revenue  

These are more than numbers, they represent innovations that drive societal benefit, economic growth, and national security. *(includes: 200 tangible assets – cell lines/animal models) 

Startups Powered by Bayh-Dole 

Four Utahborn companies exemplify BayhDole’s transformational power: 

• Blackrock Neurotech – Backed by a $200M investment from Tether, Blackrock is accelerating development of brain-computer interface (BCI) systems that restore mobility and communication for people with paralysis, positioning Utah as a leader in neurotechnology.  

• 3Helix – Supported by funding from the Utah Innovation Fund, 3Helix is advancing collagen-targeting biomaterials used in regenerative medicine and diagnostics — technologies with wide-reaching health and economic potential.  

• Trace Air Quality (Trace AQ) – Raised $1.25 million in seed funding to commercialize AIdriven wildfire smoke forecasting tools for utilities, insurers, and government agencies—delivering climate resilience and market-ready predictive analytics. 

• Sethera – Fresh off a $3M first funding round, Sethera is developing next-generation peptide therapeutics that unlock new treatments for hard-to-treat diseases, fueling growth in Utah’s life sciences sector.  

Why It Matters: 

These companies illustrate how Bayh-Dole translates research into real-world solutions, driving economic growth, job creation, and innovations that tackle some of society’s most pressing challenges. 

Global Context: The Stakes in Critical Technologies 

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s (ASPI) Critical Technology Tracker delivers a stark warning: the global leadership landscape in critical technologies is shifting dramatically.  Twenty years ago, the U.S. led in 50 of 54 critical technologies. Today, that number has dropped to just 7 of 64, while China dominates 57.  

This shift highlights the imperative to maintain a vibrant domestic innovation engine. Here, BayhDole ensures that highimpact research in AI, biotech, advanced materials, quantum, and beyond isn’t just discovered, but developed, deployed, and defended.

At the University of Utah, we are addressing these challenges directly through investments and partnerships designed to accelerate innovation in priority technology areas: 

• The AME Lab leads defense-focused innovation and applied research for the Department of Defense. 

• High-Tech West brings together academic, industry, and government leaders to align research with national security and emerging technology priorities. 

• University of Utah Ventures, launched in partnership with EPIC Ventures, connects researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors to accelerate startup growth and regional innovation. 

• The U’s leadership in life sciences, engineering, fintech, and AI, highlighted in the Gardner Innovation Capacity Report,  positions Utah to drive breakthroughs in critical technologies. 

Together, these initiatives demonstrate how the U is building the infrastructure, funding pathways, and partnerships needed to compete globally, while supporting commercialization efforts that fuel Utah’s economy.  

Leadership Through Innovation  

“At the University of Utah, we’re focused on translating great research into real-world impact,” said Jim Hotaling, Associate Vice President for Research Commercialization. “The Bayh-Dole acts plays a critical role in this mission, helping us move innovations from lab to market, strengthen our leadership in critical technologies and create lasting value for Utah and the nation.” 

The Bayh-Dole Act has shaped more than four decades of American innovation, enabling universities like ours to transform federally funded discoveries into technologies that improve lives, grow economies, and advance national priorities.  

At the U, its impact is clear, in the companies we launch, the collaborations we foster, and the solutions we deliver to pressing societal challenges. As the innovation landscape evolves, Bayh-Dole remains a cornerstone of our ability to translate research into real-world benefit. 

Looking ahead, we’re building on this foundation. Our inaugural Research Strategy Plan outlines how we’re strengthening the innovation pipeline — increasing resources earlier in the research process, creating a more supportive ecosystem for licensing technologies, and expanding opportunities for startups. Already this year, 18 new startups are in the University of Utah’s commercialization pipeline, and we’ve streamlined the process for returning exclusive licenses to inventors to help accelerate impact. 

Our goal is simple: to move ideas to market faster and support the researchers, entrepreneurs, and partners who are turning discovery into real-world solutions. 

From invention disclosures to startup support, the Technology Licensing Office and Utah Venture Hub provide the tools, expertise, and connections to help turn research into real-world solutions. Explore how we can help bring your ideas to life.