Purdue University has been ranked 16th in the world among universities granted U.S. patents in 2014, according to a new report by the National Academy of Inventors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association.

The ranking brings them up from 27th the previous year. Purdue had 93 U.S. utility patents issued in 2014.

“We set out two years ago to make Purdue ‘Entrepreneur U’ by lowering every barrier and providing any support we could identify to enable our world-class faculty to move their research from lab to market,” stated Mitch Daniels, university president. “The ranking joins other developments such as back-to-back years of record startup companies, as markers of real progress in becoming an economic engine for Indiana and the nation.”

Almost all of Purdue’s core research areas were issued patents, representing innovation in engineering, agriculture, science, technology and veterinary medicine.

“Purdue has more than 400 research laboratories and 139 research centers and institutes where researchers, staff and students are working together to develop innovations,” said Suresh Garimella, executive vice president for the Purdue Office of Research and Partnerships. “As a 21st century land-grant institution we are committed to improving lives through research and collaborations with private and public entities.”

The report was based on data obtained from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The NAI and IPO calculate the rankings based on the number of utility patents granted, which lists a university as the first assignee on the printed patent.

For a full list of the top universities granted patents worldwide, visit http://www.academyofinventors.com/pdf/NAI-IPO-Top-100-Universities-2014.pdf.

Source: Purdue University