UK among top 100 worldwide universities granted U.S. patents in 2024

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 17, 2025) — The University of Kentucky was ranked in the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents in 2024 by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).

The report uses data provided by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and highlights the vital role patents play in university research and innovation. 

Published annually since 2013, the report ranks the top 100 universities holding U.S. utility patents, which protect the way an invention is used and works, in the 2024 calendar year. The full report can be found here.

A member institution of the NAI, UK ranked No. 64, with 32 U.S. utility patents granted in 2024. UK filed 162 international and domestic patent applications and held 675 patent assets in fiscal year 2024.

“The University of Kentucky’s continued inclusion among the top 100 global universities for innovation underscores UK’s leadership as a catalyst for research, discovery and real-world impact”, said Matthew Upton, director of Technology Commercialization, UK Innovate. “This prestigious recognition reflects the relentless drive of our researchers to push the boundaries of knowledge and translate their work into meaningful innovation. Their commitment to advancing science and improving lives, both locally and globally, is what makes this achievement possible.”

To search available technologies, visit their site.

“In the ever-evolving innovation landscape, it is imperative that the U.S. is remaining competitive and at the forefront of today’s emerging research and technologies,” said Paul R. Sanberg, president of the NAI. “Ensuring the security of intellectual property through patenting is a crucial component to this and allows those innovations to be effectively moved to market where they can create valuable societal and economic impact. The Top 100 U.S. list celebrates U.S. universities and their inventive staff and faculty for their dedication in ensuring their innovations and IP are protected.”

About the National Academy of Inventors
The National Academy of Inventors is a member organization comprising U.S. and international universities, and governmental and non-profit research institutes, with more than 4,600 individual inventor members and fellows spanning more than 260 institutions. It was founded in 2010 to recognize and encourage inventors with patents issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, enhance the visibility of academic technology and innovation, encourage the disclosure of intellectual property, educate and mentor innovative students and translate the inventions of its members to benefit society. The academy and the USPTO have enjoyed a collaborative partnership since the founding of NAI. Most recently this has been reflected in their joint mission to expand access to the innovation ecosystem through a focus on actively valuing and leveraging every individual’s unique perspectives, talents and contributions. www.academyofinventors.org 

About UK Innovate
UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky drives economic, societal and entrepreneurial growth from research discoveries. Through technology commercialization, health care innovations, corporate partnerships, social innovation and economic development, UK Innovate helps researchers and entrepreneurs across UK Research and UK HealthCare accelerate their ideas into use. By connecting talent, research, corporate partners and community resources, UK Innovate works to move ideas into the world faster, where they can make the greatest societal and economic impact possible. Learn more: www.research.uky.edu/ukinnovate.