The University of Pittsburgh ranks No. 20 in the top 100 U.S. universities for granted utility patents in 2024, per the National Academy of Inventors.

Innovation and intellectual property protection continue to drive academic excellence as American universities make significant strides in patent development. In a remarkable achievement, the University of Pittsburgh secured the 20th position among the top 100 U.S. universities granted utility patents in 2024, demonstrating its commitment to advancing technological progress and societal solutions.

Pitt’s patent portfolio showcases innovation leadership

The University of Pittsburgh’s securing 102 U.S. patents in 2024 highlights its significant role in fostering innovation and technological advancement. This achievement, recognized in the National Academy of Inventors’ (NAI) annual ranking, places Pitt among the nation’s leading institutions in intellectual property development.

The significance of patent protection in academic innovation was emphasized by Evan Facher, Pitt’s vice chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship, who told Pittwire, “[Patents] facilitate the flow of new technologies into the market, enabling universities to contribute to societal advancement.” Facher, who also serves as the associate dean for commercial translation at Pitt’s School of Medicine, went on to share some of the areas of innovation that made 2024 an exceptional year for patented work at Pitt. “Today’s Pitt innovators are producing breakthroughs across multiple disciplines, from diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease and brain aneurysms earlier, to treating aggressive cancers with cutting-edge cell and gene therapies, to improving the reliability of the nation’s energy grid — and so much more.”

National impact of university patents

The collective impact of university patents is substantial, with institutions in the 2024 ranking holding more than 6,700 patents. NAI Member Institutions, representing 96% of the ranked universities, account for nearly 6,500 of these patents, demonstrating the widespread commitment to innovation across American academia.

NAI President Paul R. Sanberg underscored the importance of this achievement, noting, “In the ever-evolving innovation landscape, it is imperative that the U.S. remains competitive and at the forefront of today’s emerging research and technologies. The Top 100 U.S. list celebrates U.S. universities and their inventive staff and faculty for their dedication in ensuring their innovations and IP are protected.”

Since 2013, NAI has published the Top 100 Worldwide Universities list, expanding its recognition program in 2023 to include a separate ranking for U.S. universities, providing deeper insight into national innovation achievements.

This article may have been created with the assistance of AI.