The number of inventions patented last year by University at Buffalo researchers more than doubled from the prior year.

Researchers patented 21 inventions in 2008, up from nine in 2007, the university said

achievements at the UB Inventors and Entrepreneurs Reception, the university said.

The jump we saw this year in our patent activity is a testament to the intense and growing commitment we are seeing among our scientist-entrepreneurs, who increasingly seek ways to get their scientific advances out into society,” Robert Genco, vice provost and director of the UB Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach, said in a statement. “They know that the most important scientific discovery in the world may provide little value to society if it goes no further than a journal publication.”

Recently patented inventions include:

• An antibody with potential to halt breast cancer metastasis.

• A vaccine for non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae infection.

• An air sterilizer that kills every biological agent it meets.

• An X-ray diagnostic apparatus.

Forty of UB’s researchers were recognized March 5 for their Also highlighted were 11 UB technologies licensed to industry and three businesses who have moved from the UB Technology Incubator to their own space. Those businesses are Absolute Energy, an energy management services and IT sourcing company now located in Grand Island; Lynx Technologies, a networking system provider moving to Grand Island; and Integral Information Systems, an analytical software and decision support system for health care providers, relocating to Buffalo.