Top-tier tech transfer

According to the Penn Center for Technology Transfer’s annual report for fiscal year 2002, the University now ranks among the nation’s top-tier institutions when it comes to commercializing the products of faculty research. CTT started 12 companies, filed 349 patent applications, executed 81 option and license agreements, and made 614 material transfer agreements in 2002, a 20% increase over last year.

CTT’s activities benefit both the University—which made a hefty $4.1 million in income thanks to CTT last year—and the entire Philadelphia area, since many of the new start-ups have already begun hiring in southeastern Pennsylvania. Technologies commercialized by CTT include a new protein that may help treat osteoarthritis, a diesel-powered fuel cell and cancer treatment technologies, with many more products in the pipeline.

OIP to I-House

The Office of International Programs has packed its bags and moved into the International House of Philadelphia, located at 3701 Chestnut St. Previously located in Bennett Hall, OIP provides a variety of services to Penn’s international community, which last year alone included 3,280 international students and 1,980 international scholars. In addition to administering the Penn Abroad programs, which enroll over 600 students every year, OIP helps students with issues relating to their immigration and employment status and social and personal adjustment to a new culture. The office will open in its new location Jan. 21.

Oops!

John Trojanowski (“Awards & Honors,” Current, Dec. 5) is director of the Institute on Aging. Pavan Auluck (“Research,” Current, Dec. 5) is an M.D./Ph.D. student in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Graduate Studies.