The most invention notifications in 2024 came from Lloyd Ruddock
Ruddock's research topic is related to protein folding in the cell. Folding means that a protein adopts a specific three-dimensional structure that it needs to function. Organisms have evolved different mechanisms to ensure proper protein folding.
Ruddock's CyDisCo technology modifies bacteria so that the bacteria can correctly fold human proteins, for example. Ruddock has continued his research and found other methods that provide alternative solutions to the same problem that are more amenable to large scale production, as well as other linked inventions.
Bacteria are good production factories for pharmaceutical proteins because they grow quickly and are inexpensive to cultivate. Today, more and more drugs are proteins, whereas in the past drugs were more often chemical compounds.
The Inventor of the Year at the University of Oulu was announced at the university's Inventor Day.
Records in inventions and patents
The number of invention and software disclosures at the University of Oulu has been increasing for several years. Last year, a record 72 disclosures were made, half of which came from open research and the rest from commissioned or contract research. Eleven inventions from commissioned research were transferred to the client for possible patenting.
In 2024, the University of Oulu applied for patents for as many as 15 different inventions, which is an all-time record. The first patent was granted to five of the university's patented inventions.
The university's patent portfolio has grown by several patent families annually for almost ten years. The university's patent portfolio now includes 66 active patent families, each of which has a commercialisation plan. The university entered into six commercialisation-related agreements last year.
Total revenue from the sale and licensing of intellectual property amounted to €424,000 in 2024. At least 40 percent of net income is paid to inventors. The university also pays invention and patenting fees. Last year, more than €212,000 was paid to inventors, which is also a new record.
The university is involved in approximately fifteen commercialisation projects at various stages, each aiming to establish a startup company. Each of these projects is based on research and an ongoing or completed Business Finland Research to Business (R2B) project.
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