The donation marks the first time Purdue has received such a gift. In addition to the patent rights, Purdue also is receiving toxicology and field data.

Although this is the first patent gift to Purdue, DuPont and its subsidiary companies, such as Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., have previously funded many Purdue research projects.

The two compounds one of which was designed to control beetles and the other to control mites were found to be safe and effective against agricultural pests, but DuPont determined that the compounds were no longer a part of its strategic business direction, Woods said.

Rather than entomb the research in a file cabinet, DuPont decided to make the technology available so that it could benefit Purdue and the general public.

Since DuPont first began giving technology donations in 1998, it has contributed more than two dozen gifts to more than 20 research institutions, Woods said.

"In every case where DuPont makes technology donations, we look for world-class research programs where our technology would be a natural fit," Woods said. "Professor Bennett is a renowned technical champion in urban pest control, so Purdue immediately came to mind.

"The gift not only recognizes the exceptional quality of Professor Bennett's research, but also provides an opportunity to build upon and strengthen the already strong technical relationship between Purdue and DuPont."

John Snyder, associate director of Purdue's Office of Technology Commercialization, said the Purdue Research Foundation plans to license the compounds to companies that can serve both agricultural and household markets.

"When Dr. Bennett finds a promising application for the pesticides, we will try to find a selected company that can deliver it to the market," he said.

Purdue will not share any future license revenues from the patents with DuPont because DuPont do
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Contact: Steve Tally
tally@aes.purdue.edu
765-494-9809
Purdue University
10-Sep-2001