Maryland Industrial Partnerships: A Model For Academic Industrial Technology Commercialization

The Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) Program was established in 1987 to promote commercialization of new technologies, and to create partnerships between the University of System of Maryland (USM) and Maryland businesses. USM comprises eleven universities and two research institutions. MIPS accelerates the commercialization of new technology by jointly funding commercially directed collaborative research and development projects between USM faculty and company researchers. Faculty, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students have the opportunity to perform research that directly leads to commercialization of new products. Companies are able to access expert university faculty and state of the art facilities to conduct cost effective research and development. They also benefit from access to a vibrant student labor pool. MIPS projects have covered a wide range of technologies in engineering, computer, physical and life sciences. Since 1987, MIPS has provided matching funds for more than 445 projects worth a total value of $120 million in R&D expenditures. MIPS-supported projects have increased product sales, provided jobs to the region, and infused state-ofthe-art technology into the global marketplace. Commercial products aided by MIPS projects include MedImmune’s Synagis® for infant respiratory disease, Black and Decker’s Bullet Speed Tip Masonry Drill Bit, Hughes Network Systems’ DIRECWAY satellite internet product, Martek Biosciences’ Formulaid® infant formula additive, and Quantum Sail Design Group’s off-wind sails for performance yachts. MIPS is an effective technology commercialization program using a well established and successful model for university-industrial collaborations.