AUTM Celebrates 30 Years of Bayh-Dole Legislation

Today here in Washington DC, the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM), together with BIO, Venable LLP, and a number of other Academic organizations, are coming together to celebrate the success of the last 30 years of experience under the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, signed into law on December 12, 1980.

This morning Senator Birch Bayh recalled how a few dedicated individuals made a huge difference to U.S. economic re-invigoration after the loss of U.S. technological competitivenss of the late 1970s, and how the legislation was passed in the closing hour of the Lame Duck Congressional Session in 1980. He then recalled the manifold economic benefits, growth of biotechnology companies and products that have helped to improve the lives of patients in the U.S. and around the globe.

In closing, Senator Bayh called for a new generation to support and improve technology licensing to ensure continuing innovation and commercialization and assimilation of new technologies over the next 30 years.

Susan K. Finston
Washington DC