The University of Utah has established its first-ever “IP-Free Zone” agreement through a new partnership with DayaMed, a digital health and analytics company. The model, developed by the university’s Technology Licensing Office (TLO) and the Utah Venture Hub (UVH), creates a flexible pathway for industry partnerships, introducing a new approach to collaboration. Under the new model, DayaMed will retain ownership of any intellectual property developed under research or collaboration sponsored by DayaMed during the term of the agreement, while the university receives an upfront equity stake in the company.

“The IP-Free Zone gives us the flexibility to meet industry where they are,” said Eric S. Paulsen, director of contracts at the TLO and UVH. “By aligning incentives and simplifying the path to collaboration, we’re creating a model that supports faster translation of research into practice. DayaMed’s focus on real-time data and patient outcomes makes them an ideal partner to demonstrate how this approach can work.”

The initial work will be led by the U’s Data Coordinating Center in partnership with DayaMed to conduct clinical studies focused on medication adherence, clinical services, and real-time data analytics. Early studies will target chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, with plans to expand into oncology and immunology research in future phases.

As part of the relationship, DayaMed is establishing an office in Salt Lake City, supporting university-led studies with local clinical, engineering, and program management staff. The company plans to expand its Utah operations as collaborative projects advance, and has begun hiring locally, contributing to Utah’s growing health innovation ecosystem.

“This first IP-Free Zone partnership reflects our commitment to creating new models of collaboration between the University and industry,” said Jim Hotaling, associate vice president for research commercialization at the U. “Working with DayaMed allows us to combine research expertise with emerging technologies in ways that can accelerate studies and deliver meaningful benefits for patients.”

“The University of Utah brings together academic research, clinical capabilities, and strategic capital in a way that aligns with DayaMed’s vision,” said Justin Daya, CEO of DayaMed. “Our partnership with the University of Utah represents an important step forward in making connected care a reality for every patient. By aligning data, technology, and clinical operations, we are helping health systems deliver more proactive, coordinated, and effective care at scale.”

“Partnering with DayaMed expands our ability to design and execute studies that generate actionable insights,” said Jamie Dwyer, director of the Data Coordinating Center at the U. “By integrating their analytics platform with our research infrastructure, we can better support discoveries that lead to improved patient care.”

• Amanda Ashley Sr. director, marketing & communications, Technology Licensing Office