Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA
03/21/06
Regents urge unified plan for university economic development
Discoveries should be developed in state
By: Diane Heldt The Gazette
OTTUMWA, IA - Iowa does not fully capitalize on the technologies developed at
its three public universities, or how they could aid Iowa's economic development,
members of the state Board of Regents said Tuesday.
One regent, Tom Bedell of Spirit Lake, said Iowa should consider whether to
require companies that want to build and market technology developed at the
universities to build an Iowa plant. They would agree to produce the devices in
exchange for the technology license.
"We have no incentive that says if you want to benefit from our technology, you
have to come to Iowa," Bedell said.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Tom Vilsack said putting such deals in place is on the
governor's radar. State officials want to see the regent universities as a driving
force, said Jennifer Mullin, with the governor's office.
Vilsack is asking for $50 million over the next three years from the Legislature,
$20 million of it next year, to set up the infrastructure to make more industry
partnering happen, she said.
"The bottom line is any new discoveries made at the regent universities, we want
to do our best to make sure the dollars generated from them remain in Iowa,"
Mullin said.
The regents made their comments after hearing a presentation in Ottumwa
Tuesday on a new cochlear implant device by Dr. Bruce Gantz, professor and
head of the University of Iowa Department of Otolaryngology. Gantz plans to take
the idea to the Food and Drug Administration for approval this summer.
Several regents said Iowa has no coordinated policy or plan to translate Grantz's
technology into economic development for the state.
Bedell suggested that the regents write such a policy, collaborating with the UI,
Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa; the Legislature and state
economic development leaders.
Regents President Michael Gartner of Des Moines said all of those entities
currently have different strategies on such issues. "There's no integrated strategy
to deal with issues this big and important to the future of Iowa," he said.
The regents should take the lead in that discussion, Gartner said.
Meredith Hay, UI vice president for research, said any conversation about UI
Hospitals must include which specific research areas would receive the
economic development focus and investment. For example, genetic medicine
and research has a tremendous future that likely would show a great return on
investment, she said.
In his presentation to the regents, Gantz said continued emerging technology in
UI ear, nose and throat treatments likely will reduce Iowa's deaf population
significantly during the next generation.
The newest cochlear device Gantz hopes to gain FDA approval for would help
people with extreme hearing loss. Cochlear implants cost $26,000 per device, he
said.