University of Utah boasts 23 new companies over past year

Among the 23 new businesses created at the University of Utah in the past year are several that boast products and devices that could be life-saving.

Others produce clean energy and aim to solve complex issues, from animation and imaging to restricting texting while driving.

"The University of Utah's innovative culture continues to bring new technologies and ideas to enhance Utah's economy," said U. Vice President of Technology Venture Development Jack Brittain. "The fact that this university is a nationwide leader in start-up companies is a great credit to the people involved and their ability to engage both the business and financial communities throughout the state."

The companies, which include the first start-up company for the state's Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative, not only help move research forward through the licensing revenue they bring in, but they also provide jobs and help strengthen the economy in Utah.

"The fact that the university is performing so well in a down economy illustrates the strength of the model being developed at the University of Utah," said Brian Cummings, assistant vice president of the U.'s Technology Commercialization Office. "The access is due to the alignment of the stakeholders that are so actively involved in the commercialization process."

Studies show that drivers using cell phones are about four times more likely to have an accident than other motorists, and data shows nearly 10 percent of teenage drivers are doing so, according to Key2SafeDriving co-inventor Xuesong Zhou, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering. Along with Wally Curry, Zhou developed a profile-driven key system that's easy to use and limits cell phone use while driving. Only 911 calls can go through.

Accendo has licensed the technology and funded the start-up, Safe Driving Systems, to develop the product and take it to the market — all due to a simple idea from a worried father of a teenager.

In February, USTAR announced a joint venture with Headwaters Inc. called Headwaters Clean Carbon Services, which aims to offer carbon management services — from carbon storage engineering to risk and liability management — to carbon-emitting companies. Another USTAR start-up is a company called TheraTarget.

The various innovations begin as ideas from students and staff and are fostered in an environment of research until they become profitable for the inventors and the university.

Many of the companies spring from the U.'s intense focus on implements used in medicine and bioscience, which is an internationally growing field. Others work to produce and conserve energy in various ways. In all, the U. announced 23 companies in fiscal year 2009, earning them national recognition as one of the top-producing schools in the country.

e-mail: wleonard@desnews.com