The MUSC Foundation for Research Development (FRD) is an affiliated, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation, established in 1995 to manage technology transfer and private sector research relationships for MUSC. MUSC investigators present approximately 50 new invention disclosures per year. On behalf of MUSC and its investigators, FRD has filed 173 US patent applications that cover new subject matter, and received 58 US patents since FY 1998. In addition, FRD has negotiated 10 options, 20 exclusive license agreements, and 12 non-exclusive license agreements. FRD has been involved with 13 start-up companies utilizing MUSC intellectual property; one had a successful initial public offering (IPO) in mid-2005. These accomplishments illustrate the quality and practical relevance of MUSC expertise and research findings, setting the pace for future progress.