The University of Pittsburgh has ranked No. 28 of the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2024, according to a list published by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).
Released annually by the NAI since 2013, the Top 100 Worldwide Universities List spotlights the universities holding U.S. utility patents to showcase the important research and innovation taking place within academic institutions.
Pitt innovators were issued 102 U.S. patents in the calendar year 2024.
“Today’s Pitt innovators are pushing the boundaries of science to produce 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,” said Evan Facher, University of Pittsburgh vice chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship and associate dean for commercial translation at Pitt’s School of Medicine. “One of the first steps in achieving impact for innovation is seeking intellectual property protection. But that is only the beginning. From there we work alongside Pitt innovators every step from innovation to impact to provide the education, mentoring, and funding that our innovators need to bring their discoveries to life.”
The Top 100 Worldwide Universities ranking highlights the critical role patents play in translating university research and innovation, as well as the important role academic institutions play in the innovation ecosystem at large. Collectively, the universities on the 2024 Top 100 Worldwide list hold over 9,600 patents. NAI Member Institutions comprise 58% of the ranking and hold over 5,600 patents. Through obtaining U.S. patents, these institutions have the ability to translate their technologies into the competitive global market and make tangible impacts on the daily lives of consumers.
“The Top 100 Worldwide list showcases the vital role U.S. patents play in moving technologies from bench to marketplace at academic institutions around the globe,” said Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, FNAI, President of the National Academy of Inventors. “By recognizing and celebrating this crucial step in the commercialization process, we aim to highlight how intellectual property can benefit inventors and their institutions, as well as encourage them to pursue commercializing technologies that can have beneficial societal and economic impacts.”