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MU Receives APLU Designation for Exemplary Efforts in Advancing the Economic Well-being of the State, Region and Nation

November 12th, 2013

Story Contact: Christian Basi, 573-882-4430, BasiC@missouri.edu

By Diamond Dixon

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Since 2008, MU has filed 278 U.S. patents and signed 204 options and licenses for new technologies developed at the university. As a result, companies that have licensed products invented by MU scientists have received about $1 billion in sales revenues. University officials also have created resources to support and encourage entrepreneurial students. Now, the University of Missouri has been designated by the Association of Public Land-grant Universities (APLU) as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University (IEP) recognizing MU for its successes in innovation and entrepreneurship, technology transfer, talent and workforce development, and community development.

“Universities are economic engines that not only directly employ people, but also generate research-based innovation and technical expertise that allow businesses to start up, grow and thrive,” APLU President Peter McPherson said. “This designation recognizes universities that are really stepping up to strengthen their local, state and the nation’s economies.”

MU was one of 16 public institutions to receive this designation. MU is natural hub for innovation, as it is one of the few universities in the nation with a hospital, a veterinary hospital, a law school, a College of Engineering, and a business school on one campus.

MU has had successes with economic development and prosperity through the coordinated efforts of the offices of Economic Development, Technology Management and Industry Relations, the Mizzou Advantage initiative, and MU Biodesign and Innovation Program (MUBIP). A key mission of Mizzou Advantage is to bring together faculty from different disciplines across campus to collaborate and innovate. Mizzou Advantage has proven its ability to mutually engage with private sector companies as more university researchers have commercialized their intellectual property, resulting in more jobs for the community. MUBIP was created to improve patient care through invention development of new medical technologies. Approximately two years ago, Collaboration, Leadership and Innovation for Missouri Business (CLIMB) was created to facilitate the formation of commercialization teams to move innovative business ideas forward. These organizations empower students, faculty and community members to become agents of innovation and economic growth through entrepreneurial opportunities.

“As the state’s land-grant and major research university in one, MU’s mission is to make discoveries in the laboratory that change people’s lives and improve the economies of the state and local community,” said Rob Duncan, vice chancellor for research at MU. “Our researchers are working hard in the lab, but we also are encouraging business professionals to work with them to commercialize these innovations, moving these discoveries from the laboratory bench to the marketplace.”

This award also challenges MU to build on its strengths and identify areas for continuous improvement.

“In our ‘Growth and Improvement Plan,’ we identified opportunities for improvement in economic development,” said Steve Wyatt, vice provost for economic development at MU. “First, we will build on the strength of the Mizzou Advantage to increase industry collaborations, and second, we plan to streamline processes to make it easier for our faculty and private companies to engage in research, service and economic development.”

Recent examples of commercialized MU research:

Beyond Meat

Fu-Hung Hsieh, a professor of biological engineering and food science, along with Harold Huff, a senior research associate, developed a low-cost soy substitute for chicken. Hsieh collaborated with Ethan Brown, CEO of Savage River Inc. for several years before Brown launched a food production facility in Columbia for the “Beyond Meat” brand. The facility utilizes technology licensed from MU, and the company expects to employ more than 60 people within five years.

“The success of this product, which was developed in the laboratory, has now come full circle with the announcement that Beyond Meat has opened a plant right here in our community. It is anticipated that more than 60 jobs will be created and millions of dollars will be pumped into Columbia’s and the state’s economy,” Duncan said.

EternoGen

EternoGen, a startup venture of MUBIP, was founded based on the discovery of collagen soft-tissue filler that does not decompose as easily as fillers on the market currently. EternoGen was the first start-up company to receive competitive funding from the UM System’s Enterprise Investment Program and additional investments have allowed EternoGen to enter the commercialization phase. Receiving additional investments allows EternoGen to open an office of operations in St. Louis and a commercialization office in Stockholm, Sweden.

“This is a prime example of what can happen when aspiring young minds come in contact with others who can inspire and motivate as well as fund their ideas and aspirations,” MU Chancellor Brady Deaton said. “As a result of these collaborations and with these additional funds, this company can move forward and contribute economically to the state.”

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