2019 marks the 60th anniversary of YEDA Research and Development, the Weizmann Institute of Science’s commercial arm. During these years, the company registered over 2,200 families of patents and around 15,000 individual patents altogether.
YEDA Research and Development was founded in 1959 as the first technology transfer company in Israel and second in the world. Sixty years later, the company has set a world record for the highest profits for a researcher, in comparison with all other academic tech transfer companies around the world.
To celebrate all of the company’s impressive achievements a special event was held at the end of 2019. Institute members, YEDA staff and business partners came together to celebrate in honor of YEDA as well as say goodbye to the departing technology transfer Vice President Mordechai Sheves.
“Bringing a scientific discovery to market is a long process – one that is fraught with complications and crises – and it is not self-evident that you would agree to join us on this journey and trust us to bring results. I thank the Institute leadership for giving us the responsibility of handling the Institute’s intellectual property. This is one of the most valuable economic holdings we have, and it, in many respects, ensures the Institute’s ability to remain on the forefront of science. What vision those founders of YEDA had when, sixty years ago, they decided to found a company for market application in the heart of a basic research institute!” says Gil Granot-Mayer, YEDA’s Chief Executive Officer.
(Source: Weizmann Wonder Wander, 20.05.2020)