12-01-95 Trustees: Corporation to plan expanded Research Park OHIO STATE MAY FORM CORPORATION TO DEVELOP RESEARCH PARK COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University is considering creating a non-profit corporation to expand the Research Park on the southwestern quadrant of the Columbus campus. Trustees on Friday (12/1) discussed the formation of the organization to create a development plan for the park along Kinnear Road to expand industry-supported research activities and provide greater economic enrichment and development activity in central Ohio. Edward F. Hayes, vice president for research, said, "After a year-long study involving various advisory groups and consultants, and an internal review process, it's our sense that the most effective way to develop the park is to establish a non-profit corporation." According to Hayes, the first phase development plan would concentrate on the university's properties along Kinnear, but would also provide input into the preparation of a larger district plan, to be developed under the direction of the university's architect. Other tasks include negotiating agreements with governmental entities to support the Research Park plan, coordinating planning with university offices, and seeking status as a tax-exempt organization. Hayes said a key to the development is a partnership with the City of Columbus, State of Ohio, and local business community. Under the proposal, the city, state, and university will each contribute $50,000 for the first phase. Partners also will provide some planning and marketing assistance. Once the non-profit organization completes phase I development plans, including marketing, development, and business plans, the proposal would be submitted to trustees for approval. The Board of Trustees formally established the Research Park in 1984. It has 14 tenants involved in manufacturing, information technology, health, biotechnology, and monitoring. One tenant is the Business Technology Center, which is home to several start-up businesses. Two tenants, the Edison Welding Institute and Silliker Laboratories, are planning new facilities in the Research Park area. Hayes said more students will benefit by being able to work in private businesses in the park. "Particularly in engineering and life sciences, having more private companies in our Research Park will give our graduate students a greater range of experiences. This will also provide research funding and collaborative opportunities for faculty. In addition, an expanded Research Park will extend the options we have for spinning off university-developed technology into private companies." Patents generate $1.3 million in royalties for university Edward Hayes, vice president for research, reported that, during the fiscal year that ended June 30, Ohio State received nearly $1.3 million in royalty income from patents held by the university. That was up $200,000 from a year earlier. "There is a much more significant economic impact related to the products and services that generate the royalty income," Hayes said. "Our preliminary analysis indicates that the economic impact runs several times that amount." About 60 percent of the royalties came from the sale of the feline leukemia virus vaccine, down from 74 percent in 1994. Royalties from other technologies rose 61 percent. During the year, faculty members submitted 56 invention disclosures -- ideas for novel processes, products or devices -- and the university filed 30 patent applications. Faculty from the College of Engineering submitted 24 of the invention disclosures. Thirteen patents were granted, and Ohio State entered into 32 licenses and option agreements with companies in the United States, Canada and Europe. Board Approves Contracts For 153 Research Projects The Board of Trustees accepted 153 research contracts totaling $25.3 million. Cited for special mention were: -- Round 17 of the National Longitudinal Survey of the labor market experiences of American men and women. Randall J. Olsen of the Center for Human Resources Research is heading the project at Ohio State, with $5,102,556 in funding from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Survey results are used by economists, sociologists and researchers to examine several public policy issues pertaining to employment, education, training, family structure and other matters. -- Mapping of the Antarctic continent with digital Synthetic Aperture Radar mosaics via satellite. The mosaics and other information will be prepared on CD-ROM and made available to scientists through the National Aeronautic and Space Administration. Kenneth C. Jezek of the Byrd Polar Research Center is heading the project with a $2.2 million grant from NASA. The project also is being supported by the Ohio Board of Regents. -- A study and treatment of elder adults with sleep disorders. Charles P. Pollak of the Department of Neurology is conducting the project, with $497,616 from the National Institute on Aging. -- A study on the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of sodium borocaptate, a boron compound used as a capture agent in patients with brain tumors. The study, to be conducted at University Hospitals, will address whether the compound attains enough concentration in the tumor to kill malignant cells while sparing normal tissues. Joseph H. Goodman of the Department of Surgery and Rolf F. Barth of the Department of Pathology are conducting the study with $400,000 from the Department of Energy. -- Re-establishing an Upward Bound project to provide structured activities to 75 primarily low-income, potential first-generation college students and their families. The activities are being designed to promote academic and personal development and to increase the likelihood that the students will graduate from high school and enroll in college. Robert E. Suber Jr. of the Office of Minority Affairs will conduct the project, with $220,000 from the U.S. Department of Education. # Contact: Edward F. Hayes, (614) 292-1582. [Submitted by: Von Reid-Vargas (ereid@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu) Fri, 1 Dec 1995 14:54:42 -0500] All documents are the responsibility of their originator.