The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) has again affirmed its standing as a global leader in innovation. The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) announced that The University of Texas System ranked No. 4 in its prestigious list of the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents in 2025. The system also ranked No. 3 in the Top 100 U.S. Universities list.
The annual ranking highlights the vital role that university-led research plays in driving the global economy and translating laboratory discoveries into real-world applications, noted Jennifer Sharpe Potter, PhD, MPH, senior executive vice president for research and innovation.
“This ranking is a testament to both the ingenuity and the year-round dedication of our inventors at UT San Antonio and across the UT System, who are pioneering translational and trans-disciplinary research to produce brilliant solutions to some of the world’s most critical problems,” Potter said. “I’m deeply proud of our innovators, both at home in San Antonio and across the state.”
UT System institutions collectively secured 229 patents in 2025, maintaining last year’s position in the top five most innovative academic entities globally. The consortium of universities has consistently appeared in the top 10 since 2014, when it ranked No. 5.
Translating research into impact
A total of 22 patents were awarded to UT San Antonio researchers in 2025, spanning a diverse array of fields and reflecting the university’s multidisciplinary approach to solving complex societal challenges. These innovations include breakthroughs in cancer treatment, medical devices, cybersecurity and renewable energy.
“An issued patent is recognition of an inventor’s contribution toward bringing a new idea into the world,” said Natalie Eary, director of intellectual property strategy and operations. “UT San Antonio fosters an exciting environment of creativity and collaboration, and it is reflected in the number of issued patents awarded last year. The scope of technical fields represented in these issued patents speaks to the strength of our university’s inventive spirit.”
Among the patents secured in 2025 was a collaboration between Cara B. Gonzales, DDS, PhD, an associate professor the School of Dentistry, and Stanton F. McHardy, PhD, professor of chemistry in the College of Sciences. The two researchers successfully patented a compound that blocks calcium homeostasis selectively in cancer cells leading to cell death, — all while sparing the patient the harsh side effects of traditional chemotherapy.
Gonzales’ biotechnology company, Keraceuticals Inc., recently received support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to accelerate the development of this breakthrough drug to treat oral cancer.
A market-first approach to innovation
The university’s Office of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships (OISP) plays a critical role in this success. OISP supports campus innovators by advancing innovations to market and building strategic partnerships.
“OISP takes a market-first approach to prioritizing and developing opportunities, working backward from the market while assessing the overall market and commercial pathway up-front,” Eary noted. This strategy ensures that intellectual property (IP) efforts are closely aligned with commercial pathways, increasing the likelihood of successful technology transfer.
UT San Antonio researchers can disclose their projects through a brief online questionnaire, schedule a meeting to discuss the innovation process, or attend a commercialization workshop to learn about the steps required to move a product from the bench to the market.
Global innovation excellence
The NAI ranking is based on calendar-year data provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Since its inception in 2013, the list has become a benchmark for excellence in university research and intellectual property management.
By consistently ranking among the top institutions worldwide, the UT System and UT San Antonio demonstrate their commitment to fostering a culture where groundbreaking research leads to tangible economic and societal benefits.
