Duke Ranks #32 Worldwide for Patents Granted to Universities

Duke inventors were awarded 94 U.S. utility patents in 2025, a crucial step to bring new technologies to market

Closeup of the front page of a patent document, with elaborate cursive script.

The following is a summary of a story that originally appeared on the Office for Translation & Commercialization website.

Duke University has placed 32nd in the 2025 Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents List, published by the National Academy of Inventors.

The 94 patents issued to Duke last year cover a wide range of disciplines, from biomedical and imaging technologies to quantum systems and environmental solutions. Highlights include a tomographic 3D imaging system, a wastewater treatment platform, quantum information processing systems, and a microfiber that can filter molecules like DNA.

Many of these inventions are already being advanced to market by inventor-founded start-ups or industry partners, while others remain available for licensing to companies looking to turn Duke research into new products.

“Being recognized in the NAI’s Top 100 Worldwide Universities U.S. Utility Patents List is a strong validation of our office’s effectiveness in moving innovations from disclosure to protected IP, demonstrating that we not only support research translation, but also execute well on patent strategy, prosecution, and portfolio management – all key drivers of downstream licensing, partnerships, and real-world impact,” said Eric Wagner, director of legal affairs at Duke’s Office for Translation & Commercialization, which works together with Duke inventors to secure and commercialize their intellectual property.

Protecting innovations through patents ensures that research, often supported by federal funding, can lead to societal benefits and economic impact – a model that has generated billions in industrial output and millions of jobs nationwide.

For more information about patents and commercialization, visit the Office for Translation & Commercialization website.