About OTC

The University of Maryland created the Office of Technology Commercialization in December 1986 to provide expert guidance, support, and assistance in safeguarding intellectual property, encouraging research, facilitating technological transfer, and promoting collaborative research and development agreements with industrial sponsors.

The University's many innovations continue to stimulate the local economy, provide valuable products for public use, and help fuel research and entrepreneurial initiatives through inter and intra-University collaborations. OTC is proud to act as a liaison between University members and the business community to further these projects.

We are pleased to report that OTC has seen steady increases in inventions disclosed, patents issued, and income received since its inception. During this time, OTC has recorded more than 1,700 information, life and physical science invention disclosures; secured more than 300 U.S. patents; licensed more than 900 technologies to business and industry, which have generated more than $16.3 million in technology transfer income; and assisted in the creation of more than 50 high-tech start-up companies founded on the basis of technologies developed at the University of Maryland. Continued growth is expected as the University builds on its strengths in engineering, information technology, and biotechnology. For specific, up to date information, please visit the statistics portion of our website.