Welcome to the Bayh-Dole Bulletin, a monthly newsletter from the Bayh-Dole Coalition. The Bayh-Dole Coalition is a diverse group of innovation-oriented organizations and individuals committed to celebrating and protecting the Bayh-Dole Act, as well as informing policymakers and the public of its many benefits.
Bayh-Dole Bulletin: Edition 5
About the Bayh-Dole Coalition
A Word From Our Executive Director
Every once in a while, it’s good to remind ourselves why we do what we do. That’s the reason for our “Faces of American Innovation” event. Getting the chance to meet and hear from people who have impacted millions of lives around the world through the discoveries they developed into life-changing products was truly inspiring. If you haven’t done so, take a minute to read their stories in our recently released report. Their examples are the most eloquent rebuttal to the foes of Bayh-Dole, who claim that inventions would be developed without patent protection and that we exaggerate the risks and expenses of commercialization.
We’ll soon be posting the video of the event, so make sure you listen to their stories and the inspiring talks by Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-4) and Katherine Bayh, spouse of the late Senator Birch Bayh (D-IN). They remind us why it’s so important to protect and promote the Bayh-Dole Act. We do it so that millions more around the world will live better lives because of the heroes in our public and private sectors who work so hard every day to bring new technologies into practical application against great odds. That’s why we formed the Bayh-Dole Coalition. That’s why we’ll continue to stand up, making sure our voices are being heard. Thank you for joining us on that journey.
September Coalition Highlights
- Article: Joseph Allen, IPWatchDog, “Bayh-Dole Coalition’s Innovation Award Winners Remind Us Why We Do What We Do” (9/25)
- Article: Arizona Daily Star, “Tucson Tech: University of Arizona professor honored for sight-enhancing device” (9/20)
- Summary: 2024 Faces of American Innovation Event (9/18-19)
- TV Segment: KOLD News 13 (Tucson, AZ), “University of Arizona professor receives national award for breakthrough technology,” (9/18)
- Article: NOLA.com, “Business Honors for LSU vet professor, Louisiana CPAs” (9/15)
- Letter: Bayh-Dole Coalition Letter to Senate HELP Committee RE: “March-In Rights and Section 1498” (9/12)
- Podcast: IP Protection Matters Podcast, “Bayh-Dole: ‘Most Inspired Piece of Legislation’ Over Last Half Century Threatened by Calls for Expanded Gov’t March-In Powers” (9/9)
- TV Segment: WBRZ Channel 2 (Baton Rouge, LA), “LSU professor honored for creating vaccine to treat common diseases among cattle,” (9/8)
- Article: Cornell Chronicle, “Cornell alum Rachel Dorin will receive American Innovator Award” (9/4)
- Press Release: “Bayh-Dole Coalition Releases 2024 “Faces of American Innovation” Report, Spotlights People Behind Groundbreaking Inventions” (9/4)
- Report: 2024 Faces of American Innovation (9/4)
2024 “Faces of American Innovation”
Event Summary
2024 BDC Faces of American Innovation Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.
Thank you to those who were able to join us for this year’s “Faces of American Innovation” Award Ceremony and Capitol Hill Briefing! If you missed it, no worries — recordings will be available soon. In the meantime you can see a summary of the day’s proceedings on our website.
The 2024 American Innovator Award Ceremony commenced on Wednesday, September 18, at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center. Joseph P. Allen moderated a panel discussion on “The Bayh-Dole Miracle,” and the day ended with the Bayh-Dole Coalition’s inaugural members-only Advocacy Conference.
On Thursday, September 19, 2024, the Bayh-Dole Coalition hosted its second-annual “Faces of American Innovation” Capitol Hill Briefing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The briefing opened with remarks from Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-4), followed by Katherine Bayh, spouse of the late Senator Birch Bayh (D-IN).
Many congressional staffers, university representatives, and key opinion leaders attended one or both events, in addition to those who picked up the event handout and report copy — including Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE).
Katherine Bayh, spouse of the late Sen. Birch Bayh (D-IN) (left), stands with Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-4) (right).
The Bayh-Dole Coalition is now accepting nominations for our 2025 American Innovator Award. Have someone in mind? Nominate them here!
Member Corner
- Dr. Shafiqul Chowdhury: Dr. Shafiqul Chowdhury, one of our 2024 American Innovator Award recipients, is a professor at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine and senior member of the National Academy of Inventors.
- On September 29, IPWatchdog honored Joseph Allen, executive director of the Bayh-Dole Coalition, as the 2024 recipient of the Paul Michel Award at IPWatchdog Live 2024. The award recognizes someone who is a “respected leader, mentor, and advocate” within the IP community. IPWatchdog remarked, “It is hard to imagine someone more deserving of the Paul Michel Award than Joe Allen.”
(L-R) IPWatchdog President & CEO Gene Quinn, Bayh-Dole Coalition Executive Director Joseph Allen, IPWatchdog COO & CFO Renee Quinn, and former judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Judge Paul Michel.
Member Spotlight
Our September member spotlight is the University of Notre Dame’s IDEA Center! The IDEA Center, which stands for Innovation, De-Risking and Enterprise Acceleration, was established in 2017 as a branch of Notre Dame Research to help support commercialization and entrepreneurial activities. Last year alone, the IDEA Center filed 80 total provisional and non-provisional patent applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and since its founding, has completed 48 licensing agreements. The Bayh-Dole Coalition is fortunate to have the support of the IDEA Center.
“Federal funding provides the University of Notre Dame with essential resources for our researchers to explore new frontiers and tackle complex challenges. It is crucial to pair that funding with the technology transfer system established by the Bayh-Dole Act in order for our research to drive economic growth and address pressing societal issues. At Notre Dame’s IDEA Center, we are proud to partner with the Bayh-Dole Coalition in upholding the Bayh-Dole Act so we can continue to innovate and change the world.” – Jeffrey F. Rhoads, Vice President for Research and Professor of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame
