Augusta University recognized in inaugural Cure Innovation Index

Augusta University is ranked in the inaugural Cure Innovation Index for its ability to translate scientific discovery into real-world healthcare impact.

The Cure Innovation Index is the first national, data-driven framework designed to assess how effectively U.S. biomedical research institutions convert discovery into therapies, companies, and measurable health outcomes. The inaugural 2026 Index evaluated 303 leading institutions – spanning all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico – selected from more than 6,000 nationwide.

AU placed No. 86 among 243 universities in the United States and was recognized as Top 5 in Georgia, ranking only behind Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology.

Institutions were organized into two categories – universities and institutes and centers. This separation accounts for meaningful differences in how they operate and the data available to assess them. Universities were drawn from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the nationally recognized framework for categorizing U.S. colleges and universities. Eligible institutions included those classified by Carnegie as R1, R2 and research colleges and universities. Augusta University has continued to experience significant growth in research and doctoral education, including annual research expenditures that have increased by 54% since 2021, and awarding more than 120 doctorates annually.

Institutions also had to be classified as Associate/Baccalaureate (except Professions-focused), Baccalaureate, Undergraduate/Graduate-Master’s, Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate, or Special Focus in one of the following categories: Arts and Sciences, Graduate Studies, Medical Schools and Centers, Nursing, Other Health Profession, or Technology, Engineering, and Sciences.

“Augusta University is committed to research that moves beyond the laboratory and into real- world impact for the people we serve,” said Augusta University President Russell T. Keen. “This recognition highlights the extraordinary work of our faculty, researchers and clinicians who are advancing discoveries that improve patient care, strengthen Georgia’s healthcare workforce and help drive life-changing, life-saving innovation for communities across our state. We are proud of the momentum taking place across our university and the growing impact of this work throughout Georgia and beyond.”

The U.S. biomedical research ecosystem – anchored by academic institutions – has long been a global engine of innovation, driving the development of life-saving therapies and generating significant economic impact. Yet institutional performance has historically been measured by inputs and outputs, rather than by the ability to consistently translate discovery into impact.

Cure is the premier healthcare innovation ecosystem that provides knowledge, infrastructure and tools to accelerate progress toward cures. The initial Index evaluates institutions across 25 indicators within three core domains: research capabilities, entrepreneurial readiness and market translation. These dimensions capture the structural, cultural and operational factors that enable institutions to move breakthroughs beyond the lab and into real-world applications.

AU demonstrated strong performance across these domains, reflecting its ability to consistently advance innovations into therapies, companies and measurable health outcomes, such as the pediatric immunotherapy for recurrent brain tumors, which was made possible by a scientific discovery at AU and the Medical College of Georgia and is now in clinical trials across the country.

“Recognition of Augusta University in the Cure Innovation Index reflects its leadership in translating scientific discovery into real-world impact,” said Seema Kumar, CEO of Cure. “While traditional measures emphasize funding, publications, or patents, the Index sets a new standard by evaluating the full set of capabilities required to move innovation from concept to cure.”