Research tools developed by University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) investigators, from antibodies to specialized cell lines, have become essential resources for laboratories and companies across the research community. These tools, many of which were created decades ago, continue to drive discovery while generating valuable revenue for the university.
The Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HIIE) manages these research materials by licensing them to companies that distribute them to the broader research community. Unlike most patent licenses, which are typically exclusive, research tools such as antibodies are often made available to multiple companies.
“Patent licenses are about exclusivity,” said Amanda Dove, Director of Admin and Fiscal Affairs at the HIIE. “In contrast, these tools create a different kind of value, one that adds up over time.” 
Medical students work in a research lab on the UAB campus.
“Research tools make up about 20–25 percent of our office’s annual revenue,” said Karthik Gopalakrishnan, Senior Director of the HIIE. “They’ve been a consistent income source since the 1990s and continue to provide long-term value to the university.”
One of HIIE’s recent achievements is the execution of a long-term strategy for managing and distributing these materials. In partnership with a specialized repository in Iowa, HIIE is consolidating decades of research materials to ensure they remain accessible for years to come.
“In the past, when new licensees wanted access, we had to reach out to the original lab, but many of those researchers had retired or moved on,” Gopalakrishnan said. “Now, the repository provides a one-stop shop where we can reliably locate and share these valuable materials.”
To encourage continued innovation, HIIE also helps researchers recognize when their tools might have value beyond their own laboratories.
“If other universities or companies start asking for your material, that’s a sign it has broader value,” Dove explained. “That’s when it’s important to disclose it to our office so we can help get it into the right hands.”
HIIE has also created a new faculty liaison role and increased outreach to remind researchers that disclosing their materials is both beneficial and impactful.
“Our goal is to show faculty that their discoveries don’t end with publication,” Gopalakrishnan said. “When they share these tools, they expand their impact and help sustain UAB’s broader research mission. These materials were built for discovery. Our job is to make sure they keep serving the research community for decades to come.”
To chat with the Harbert Institute team about your potential research tool discovery, email
-- Dec. 2, 2025