Innovation and Advocacy Take Center Stage at 2026 AUTM Annual Meeting 

The 2026 AUTM Annual Meeting opened with a call for collaboration. Throughout the event, speakers emphasized that the future of innovation depends on an interconnected network of researchers, federal leaders, and advocates. 

The Power of Patient-Centered Research 

Opening the Meeting, Michelle Durborow, Senior Vice President and Head of Operations at the Michael J. Fox Foundation, joined AUTM CEO Steve Susalka to discuss the Foundation’s pursuit of a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Since its inception in 2000, the foundation has funneled more than $2.5 billion into Parkinson’s research, a massive investment that has yielded more than 40 treatment options and fueled a pipeline of 500 therapies currently in development. 

Durborow detailed a unique approach to intellectual property that sets the foundation apart from traditional funding bodies. While the organization staunchly supports a strong IP system, it chooses not to claim IP, royalties, or equity on the projects it funds.  

“We are not the experts in the field of IP and technology transfer. We are experts in research. And by stepping away from that, it gives everyone the runway to do what they’re supposed to do,” said Durborow. 

This model of radical openness ensures that data and tools remain available to the broader scientific community. “We understand that in order for science to move, for research to get that speed and that integrity, we have to make sure that the materials, the data, the tools, are available to researchers,” she added, noting that the foundation now strives to keep “the science and the deal mechanics in parallel.” 

Modernizing the Patent Frontline 

The dialogue shifted toward federal infrastructure during a fireside chat featuring Coke Morgan Stewart, Deputy Director of the USPTO. In conversation with Susalka, Stewart outlined the scale of the agency’s current operations, backed by a $5 billion budget and a workforce of 14,000.  

To keep pace with technology, the USPTO is integrating AI into its workflows and plans to hire an additional 1,100 patent examiners. 

Beyond internal modernization, Stewart issued a stark reminder that a strong patent system requires active defense. “You need to write letters. You need to make your voice heard because the opposition out there is very, very strong and it’s easy to tear something down and it’s hard to build something up,” Stewart urged.  

She emphasized that the agency is eager to support the community, even offering to send congratulatory letters to new patent holders. Her final ask of those in the room was simple: “Please stay engaged. Your voice matters, and we want you to be heard.” 

Navigating Policy and Funding Pressures 

The landscape of university innovation was dissected by a panel including Kate Hudson, Associate Vice President and Counsel for Government Relations and Public Policy at the Association of American Universities, Megan McKeown, Director of Governmental Affairs at the Association Public and Land-grant Universities, and Kevin Wozniak, Director of Research Security and Intellectual Property at COGR.  

The group provided a candid assessment of challenges ranging from funding disruptions to ongoing attacks on the Bayh-Dole Act. The panelists were unanimous in their call for proactive networking.  

Central to their discussion was the necessity of operating as a unified front across different institutional bodies. The speakers stressed that alignment across campuses and associations is what ultimately strengthens the innovation ecosystem.  

“If you don’t know the government relations personnel on your campus, please make them your best friend immediately,” McKeown advised, emphasizing that internal collaboration is the first step toward external influence. 

The panel also highlighted that when individual institutions coordinate their messaging with national organizations, the results are transformative. Wozniak suggested that advocacy must happen on a grassroots level to show local impact, while Hudson reinforced the weight of a coordinated strategy. “When we come in as a group… that amplification of a collective voice is really, really powerful to policymakers,” Hudson said.  

Their shared message was clear that a fragmented approach leaves the tech transfer field vulnerable, but a collective voice ensures that the community remains a formidable presence at the policy table. 

Lessons from the Martian Frontier 

Closing the meeting with a perspective that spanned five decades of exploration, Brian Muirhead, Chief Architect for the Mars Sample Return Campaign, shared insights gained from his time on projects ranging from Apollo to the Mars Pathfinder. 

Drawing a parallel between space travel and terrestrial research, Muirhead argued that obstacles are often the catalyst for breakthroughs. “One thing I’ve learned is that constraints actually drive innovation,” he said.  

When building teams tasked with accomplishing “the impossible,” Muirhead looks for talent, ownership, trust, and communication.  

His address served as a fitting conclusion to the meeting, reinforcing that whether the goal is curing a disease or returning samples from Mars, innovation thrives where mission and courage intersect.