OU, Veterans Affairs announce research agreement

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The University of Oklahoma and the U.S.

Department of Veterans Affairs will team up to move research advances into the marketplace under an agreement announced Tuesday.

The agreement, one of the first of its type in the nation, calls for the institutions to work together to bring to the market those advances produced by scientists who have joint appointments at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center and the university.

Revenue produced under the agreement will support research programs at the center and the university, officials said.

"This is a tremendous example of how institutions can work together to produce medical advances and further research support," said John R. Feussner, Veterans Affairs' chief research and development officer. "The VA and its university affiliates, including OU, are working hard to see that new technologies are made available as soon as possible to those who can benefit from them."

VA medical centers are affiliated with major university medical schools across the country. The agency is working on other such agreements with its affiliates, officials said.