Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation: A Legacy of Innovation and Support

The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) stands as a testament to the power of university research and its potential to address global challenges. Established in 1925, WARF has played a pivotal role in managing intellectual property, fostering innovation, and providing crucial financial support to the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison). Its history is intertwined with groundbreaking discoveries, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to the "Wisconsin Idea" - the principle that the university's research should benefit the state and the world.

Origins: Protecting a Vitamin D Breakthrough

The story of WARF begins with Harry Steenbock, a professor of biochemistry at UW-Madison. In 1923, Steenbock made a groundbreaking discovery: exposing certain fats to ultraviolet light could fortify them with vitamin D. This breakthrough held immense potential to combat rickets, a debilitating childhood disease caused by vitamin D deficiency.

At the time, universities generally did not manage patents, and those that did often struggled to achieve commercial success. However, Steenbock recognized the importance of his discovery and its potential to improve public health. He also wanted to ensure that the financial benefits from his invention would be used to support further research at the university.

With a personal investment of $300, Steenbock filed for a patent. He then sought guidance from Harry L. Russell, Dean of the College of Agriculture, and Charles S. Slichter, a mathematics professor. Together, they conceived the idea of an independent, nonprofit corporation managed by alumni trustees. This organization would manage the university’s patented technologies and invest the revenue generated to support future research endeavors.

Establishing the Foundation: A Vision for the Future

The UW Board of Regents approved the plan on June 22, 1925, and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation was officially incorporated on November 14 of the same year. Alfred J. Slichter, with the help of wealthy UW-Madison alumni, began soliciting funds for the foundation. WARF was founded to manage Harry Steenbock's discovery, who invented the process for using ultraviolet radiation to add vitamin D to milk and other foods.

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WARF's mission extended beyond simply patenting and licensing university technologies. The founders envisioned a foundation that would actively seek out companies and entrepreneurs capable of translating UW-Madison research into real-world applications, ensuring that these innovations would benefit society. Almost 100 years later, that original mission is still the driving force of the foundation.

Early Successes and Broadening Impact

WARF's early years were marked by the successful commercialization of Steenbock's vitamin D technology. The foundation licensed the technology to companies like Quaker Oats, which used it to fortify breakfast cereals, contributing to the eradication of rickets worldwide.

WARF also played a crucial role in the development of warfarin (Coumadin), an anticoagulant drug named after the foundation. The discovery of warfarin is a testament to the "Wisconsin Idea" and the close relationship between the university and the Wisconsin public. In 1933, a farmer sought help from university researchers after his cattle died from consuming spoiled clover hay. This led to the discovery of dicumarol, a natural anticoagulant found in the hay, which ultimately led to the development of warfarin.

Managing Intellectual Property and Fostering Innovation

WARF serves as the independent nonprofit technology transfer organization serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Morgridge Institute for Research. WARF manages the intellectual property of research discoveries at UW-Madison. Unlike any other university technology transfer office in the nation, WARF covers all the costs of our intellectual property commercialization and defense. This saves Wisconsin taxpayers millions of dollars. WARF’s independent, private status enables us to invest in Wisconsin entrepreneurs and startups that are driving job creation in our state.

Now in its 75th year, WARF has been associated with patenting or licensing more than 3,000 UW-Madison discoveries. The organization currently has more than 700 patented technologies available to industry, the majority of which are in the biosciences.

Supporting Research and Education

Royalties generated from licenses to industry and from investments go toward supporting basic research at UW-Madison. Each year, WARF contributes more than $100 million to fund additional UW-Madison research. WARF gives back anywhere from $25 million to $30 million each year to the UW-Madison Graduate School to support basic research. Special WARF grant programs have been developed to support top faculty in mid-career and for those just starting research efforts.

WARF manages a substantial investment portfolio that fuels an annual grant of tens of millions of dollars to support UW-Madison.

Partnerships and Collaborations

WARF actively seeks partnerships with companies and entrepreneurs to bring UW-Madison research to the market. The organization has been directly involved in the formation of more than 50 startup companies, either through direct investing or by licensing technologies. WARF's role is to find companies that can turn original research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison into new products.

Key Relationships: WAA and the UW Foundation

WARF works alongside other organizations dedicated to supporting UW-Madison. These include:

Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA): Founded in 1861, the WAA fosters a sense of community and loyalty among UW-Madison alumni. In 2014, WAA merged with the UW Foundation, and now both are divisions of the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association.
University of Wisconsin Foundation: The official fundraising and gift-receiving organization for UW-Madison. The UW Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation that encourages individuals and organizations to make gifts and grants to the university. Each year, the UW Foundation transfers gift and investment income to UW-Madison. Between 2013 and 2020, UW-Madison pursued a comprehensive fundraising campaign in partnership with the UW Foundation.

Challenges and Controversies

WARF has faced its share of challenges and controversies throughout its history. In the 1940s, the foundation faced scrutiny regarding the Steenbock patents. In 1962, the Internal Revenue Service threatened to revoke WARF’s tax-exempt status.

WARF has also been involved in patent disputes, including a high-profile case against Apple Inc. In October 2015, a jury found Apple liable for infringing on a WARF patent related to microprocessors. While the initial judgment was in WARF's favor, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit later overturned the verdict.

WARF Today: Embracing the Future

WARF is committed to an organizational culture that embraces key values that our team members practice daily. This includes community engagement through our One WARF Gives Back initiative.

WARF continues to play a vital role in supporting research and innovation at UW-Madison. The foundation's contributions extend beyond financial support, encompassing intellectual property management, technology transfer, and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship. As the university continues to push the boundaries of knowledge, WARF will remain a crucial partner in translating discoveries into solutions that benefit society.

No place on campus encapsulates WARF’s history over the last decade quite like the Discovery Building.

Notable Achievements and Discoveries

WARF has been associated with numerous groundbreaking discoveries and innovations, including:

Vitamin D fortification: Harry Steenbock's discovery led to the widespread fortification of milk and other foods with vitamin D, effectively eradicating rickets.
Warfarin: The development of warfarin revolutionized anticoagulant therapy and remains a widely used drug.
Stem cells: WARF was assigned the patents for non-human primate and human embryonic stem cells, playing a significant role in the advancement of stem cell research.

Rankings and Recognition

In 1998, UW-Madison, through WARF, ranked 7th in the nation in income from royalties and licensing fees ($17.8 million), according to a survey by the Association of University Technology Managers.

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