The University's Office of Technology Transfer reported Friday a record number of proposed patents for the 2007 fiscal year.

The office, which is in charge of marketing and patenting products presented by University professors and researchers, reported 329 new technologies this year, a 14 percent increase from last year.

Of the 329 new technologies that had the potential to be patented and marketed, 144 of them went to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and 87 patents were issued. The new proposals spanned a range of scientific areas, but the majority of them were related to medicine or engineering.

Mark Maynard, marketing manager for the office, said a positive view and more awareness of the office among faculty toward the tech office contributed to the rise this year. Six years ago the tech transfer office had a massive overhaul, rearranging staff positions and roles.

"It's usually an indicator of a more positive and entrepreneurial faculty," Maynard said. "Usually when those numbers go up it means tech transfer is doing its job and getting the word out."

George Brewer, professor emeritus in the University's Medical School, worked with the office to patent his drug, Tetrathiomolydate, which was originally intended to lower copper levels in patients but has since shown a number of other beneficial effects in Alzheimer's and auto-immune disease patients. Brewer said he believes the increased number of transfers has to do with professors having a greater respect for tech transfer offices.

"I think the increase is due to the slow realization that tech transfer is for the benefit of society and academic institutions are increasingly accepting that," he said.

Maynard said the rise may have had to do with growth in the University's research funding, which he said rose from $800 to $820 million in 2007. He expects the rate of new technologies will continue to grow.

Kenneth Nisbet, executive director of the Tech Transfer Office, said there is no one reason for the 14 percent increase in new technologies.

"You can never point to one single factor," Nisbet said. "It's continued growth. It's kind of a cumulative thing. I think it starts with this foundation of faculty, money and reputation."