At the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center (UNM HSC), commercialization and technology transfer are essential to turning innovative research into real-world solutions. Through strategic public-private partnerships, UNMHSC creates an environment where groundbreaking discoveries in health sciences are developed into market-ready products, treatments, and services.
Since 2004, 95 private companies have been launched based on technology developed at the university or as spin-offs from its research. These startups are driving breakthroughs across various fields, including drug development, transformative vaccines and therapeutics, cancer treatments, molecular imaging, medical diagnostics, software, genetics, and environmental health, including the study of microplastics.
The process begins by identifying promising research, which often includes new medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, or diagnostic tools. These innovations are carefully evaluated and protected through intellectual property mechanisms such as patents, ensuring that the university retains ownership while enabling commercialization. Partnerships with private companies—ranging from startups to established industry leaders—provide the expertise, capital, and infrastructure necessary to bring these innovations to market.
Rainforest Innovations plays a critical role in facilitating these partnerships by licensing university-developed technologies, negotiating agreements, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. These collaborations result in financial returns for the university and give private companies access to cutting-edge research and solutions that address pressing healthcare challenges.
Moreover, these partnerships contribute to job creation, drive economic growth, and improve regional healthcare outcomes. By accelerating the commercialization of academic research, UNM HSC helps bring new medical technologies to market faster, ultimately improving patient care and contributing to the broader health ecosystem. Through this dynamic collaboration between public research institutions and private industry, novel science is translated into real-world solutions.
