The Numbers on Intellectual Property

Dear Danforth Center Community,

Erica Agnew [Director of Intellectual Property (IP) and Technology Management] gave an overview of her department’s work to the Executive Committee of our Board of Directors this week. Erica and team members Amine Noueiry (Senior Patent Scientist) and Elisa Morales (Scientific Research Contract and Technology Specialist) work with our scientists to identify potentially patentable technologies, develop and file patent applications, and help advance technologies toward commercial applications. These are vital functions if we expect to move our science out of the lab and into the marketplace to help address grand challenges. Let’s dive into how Erica and the team are doing.

Invention disclosures. The team works closely with PIs and lab members to identify discoveries with potential for marketplace applications. Invention disclosures are brief but formal documentation of a technology or invention. The more invention disclosures we file in house, the more potential IP we can develop. Invention disclosures per year have increased by over 100% since Erica assumed her position in late 2020.

Patents filed. Erica is a patent attorney and member of the bar in Missouri. But Amine does the heavy lift to draft IP claims and patent applications for submission to U.S. and international patent offices. Amine is a Ph.D.-level plant scientist with deep understanding of our science and technology. As with invention disclosures, new patent applications per year have more than doubled in the last four years.

Proof-of-Concept grants. Since early 2025, Erica has managed the Proof-of-Concept program, which awards $50,000 grants to Center PIs seeking to develop their technologies with possible commercial applications. Through outreach to PIs, re-organizing the program, and cultivation of pitches, applications to the program this year have increased by 275% compared to the average in all prior years. Is anyone else noticing a trend?

Licensing to companies and agreements. In the end, developing new technologies and securing patents serves few if they are not licensed to companies that bring them to market in products that meets important needs. In 2021, four Center technologies were licensed to companies. But today, we have 37 technologies licensed to the private sector, which for those keeping score is a 925% increase! Elisa has a talented, productive hand in many agreements between the Danforth Center and partners.

The IP and Technology Management team members are critical to delivering on our mission, and I thank them for their spectacular achievements. I cannot imagine neither a better team nor another I would rather work with.

Jim Carrington,
President and Chief Executive Officer
July 11, 2025