Talk innovation: unlocking technology
By European Patent Office
Opinions expressed by podcast participants are their own and may not reflect the views of the EPO.
Talk innovation: unlocking technologyFeb 09, 2021
Self-learning humanoids are here
Almost 8% of patent filings at the EPO in 2023 were for computer technology, which includes the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence. But which types of AI are growing especially fast and why? What do experts mean when they say that 2024 is the year of the embodiment of AI? And could the next superantibiotic be designed by AI?
Moderator:
Jeremy Philpott, EPO Communications manager
Guests:
Wiebke Hinrichs, EPO patent examiner
André Fonseca dos Santos, EPO patent examiner
Get STEMpowered this International Women's Day
Female inventors have shaped the world in more ways than we might realise.
Join three women working in patents and STEM as they celebrate inspiring female inventors and discuss their experiences in their fields. Hear their advice for anyone interested in a technical career and discover why diversity is the key to unlocking powerful innovation.
Guests:
Joana Piriquito Santos, Attorney-at-law
Maryse Stoufs, EPO internal auditor
Moderator:
Cristina Lopes Margarido, EPO patent examiner
Winds of change: Innovation in offshore wind energy
Is offshore wind energy the key to solving the climate crisis? A recent joint report reveals insightful findings, highlighting challenges and opportunities in this growing sector. Join study authors from the European Patent Office and International Renewable Energy Agency as they discuss this clean energy source.
Guests:
Francisco Boshell, Head Innovation and End Use Applications, IRENA
Jaidev Dhavle, Associate Programme Officer, Innovation for the Energy Transition, IRENA
Johannes Schaaf, EPO patent intelligence expert
Moderator:
Geert Boedt, EPO patent data analyst
Short story time: thought-provoking tales on disability and innovation
When dealing with disability, is gene therapy an ethical solution? Can technology encourage a more equitable world? Does society truly listen to people with a disability?
In this special edition, we’ll meet several authors seeking answers to these complex questions. We’ll hear their creations before learning about the inspiration behind each tale. "Who am I?" by Brian Routledge, "L’ Expo" by Christophe Poizat and "Mosaïque" by Paule Gilis were the winning entries in EPO’s writing competition on the theme disability and innovation. The contest was open to all staff and formed part of our celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the European Patent Convention. Brian’s story also won the 2023 essay competition organised by the Brain journal and is published there (link below).
"Who am I" by Brian Routledge on epo.org
"Who am I" by Brian Routledge in the "Brain" Journal
"The exhibition" by Christophe Poizat on epo.org
From campus to career: How Young Professionals are making an impact at the EPO
Are you a new IT or computer science graduate looking to make a difference? Are you ready to kickstart your career in an international environment?
Hear from Young Professional Metehan about his active role in EPO initiatives such as data protection in IT. Learn more about the networking and development opportunities he's enjoyed, how he's contributing to innovation and how the programme has fostered his personal and professional growth.
Applications for 2024 are now open, for more information please visit: epo.org/pan-european-seal
Moderators:
Persida Jovanovic, Young Professional in Talent Acquisition
Penelope Piraino, Young Professional in Talent Acquisition
Guest:
Metehan Malakçi, Young Professional in IT Sourcing, Risk and Compliance
Loved this episode? Dive into Part I now!
Jumpstart your career: Life as a Young Professional at the EPO
Graduating in STEM and looking for your next career step? Looking to expand your international network?
Now's your chance to learn all you need to know about the Young Professionals Programme, first hand, from current participants.
Learn why Larisa applied to the programme, the benefits she's enjoyed most and how this hands-on experience with innovation has helped put her on the right career path.
Applications for 2024 are now open, for more information please visit: epo.org/pan-european-seal
Moderators:
Persida Jovanovic, Young Professional in Talent Acquisition
Penelope Piraino, Young Professional in Talent Aquisition
Guest:
Larisa Turtureanu, Young Professional in Patent granting process
Loved this episode? Dive into Part II now!
Combatting cancer: How the surge in innovation is saving lives
The EPO's latest study reveals massive global advances in diagnostics and treatments, with universities and public research institutes playing a major role. Innovation against cancer is growing rapidly and the wealth of free patent information in the EPO's newest technology platform is helping scientists to make more breakthroughs.
Access the Technologies combatting cancer platform
Guests:
Laurent Deleu, Patent examiner, European Patent Office
IIlja Rudyk, Senior economist, European Patent Office
Moderator:
Jeremy Philpott, Communications manager, European Patent Office
Inspiring inventors: Johan Martens
Peek behind the curtain and learn about what goes into successfully bringing sustainable innovations to market. EPO patent examiner Edward Cooke speaks with bioscience engineering professor Johan Martens about the solar panel he co-invented which produces clean hydrogen from sunlight and moisture. Their conversation covers topics such as hydrogen energy, the UN's sustainable development goals and how Johan's invention is designed for varied climatic conditions.
Green mobility on the move
Technology can kick green mobility into higher gear but you, as an individual, can also make a move! Learn what it takes and get on board with Ben Brown and Ciara Doyle from Going Green Media and EPO patent examiner Haider Al-Taie. Along the way you will learn about the latest trends in transportation, the challenges in the road ahead and about the important impact you can make with sustainable commuting. Let's drive into a greener future together!
Houston, we have solutions!
Join us on an interstellar adventure to explore the out-of-this-world technology that makes space exploration possible. You probably even use space technology here on Earth without even realising it! Inventor and YouTuber Simone Giertz and former patent examiner Rainer Kaysan will guide you through these fascinating inventions, careers in space and the key role aerospace innovation plays for a greener planet. Buckle up and get ready to blast off in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!
Interested to hear more? Here's a link to an earlier episode on technologies used in space: "Earth observation for a greener planet"
Video games: more than just play
Device on. Headphones on. Press play. Game on! But… what goes into a video game?
What drives innovation in hardware, software and graphics? Could you become a video game developer and maybe even change the world for the better? Join a tech expert and patent examiner for a unique look at the technology behind your favourite titles.
You’ll never look at games the same again!
Speakers:
Patrick Mikulastik and Anne-Marie Imafidon
Music by: YipYep
How patents and trade marks help fund startups
How are European startups using patents and trade marks to raise finance? The high failure rates of promising startups are often linked to their cashflow problems, so this a topic of critical importance for Europe’s economy. The authors of a recent study discuss their findings with regard to patents, trade marks and startup finance.
Guests: Yann Ménière, Chief Economist, European Patent Office
Nathan Wajsman, Chief Economist, EU Intellectual Property Office
Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, manager in Communications, European Patent Office
Disrupting production - how additive manufacturing is changing our world
Additive manufacturing (AM) is a disruptive technology coming of age. The EPO’s latest study reveals explosion in global patenting activity in 3D printing and other forms of AM, now being deployed in construction, healthcare and transport. Patent filings for AM inventions are increasing at eight times the rate across all technologies, as AM comes out of its niche as a prototyping tool and enters the mainstream at the centre of manufacturing.
Moderator: Jeremy Philpott (Communications manager, EPO)
Guests: Ilja Rudyk (Senior Economist, EPO) and Judy Ceulemans (Senior Expert, EPO)
Robotics exoskeletons for kids: more than a medical device
Elena García Armada invented a robotic exoskeleton for children who use wheelchairs, vastly improving their rehabilitation. However, going from lab to market was no mean feat. The Spanish robotics expert had to navigate clinical testing, impress investors, learn about intellectual property and attract world-class engineers to work on her ambitious project. But seeing smiles on the faces of young patients who walk for the very first time have made the journey worthwhile. This episode is part of the Inspiring Inventors series, which looks at ground-breaking technologies and the people behind them.
Moderator: Edward Cooke, Patent examiner, European Patent Office
Guest: Elena García Armada, Co-founder and CEO, Marsi Bionics
More about Elena García Armada: https://new.epo.org/en/news-events/european-inventor-award/meet-the-finalists/elena-garcia-armada
“You are a wonder”: How stem cell donations save lives
A simple cheek swab could begin a new lease on life for patients with leukaemia. Stem cell typing is the first step in matching patients with donors. Join us to learn about typing from donors, people who've conquered a blood cancer, a biotechnology expert and a PR manager at an NGO that recruits donors and supports patients. We'll also provide details on an up-coming stem cell typing drive in Munich and The Hague, one of the ways we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the European Patent Convention this year.
Moderator: Sabine Lunau, EPO Communications manager
Guests:
Aliki Nichogiannopolou, EPO Director: DNA, peptide and cell biotechnology
Andreas Böhm-Pélissier, member of an EPO Boards of Appeal
Jennifer Andersen, DKMS, Public relations manager
A proprietary platform to fight cancer: a technology transfer case study
Two scientists-turned-entrepreneurs have created the technology platform S-TIR for immunology vaccines, enabling treatments for allergies and cancer. Based on their strong patent portfolio they founded several start-up companies for product development and technology commercialisation. In this podcast they explain how IP was essential for attracting investment as well as generating licensing revenue early on. This was crucial given the long time-to-market periods that are typical in biotechnology.
The EPO has recently published three new case studies highlighting the role of IP in creating businesses that are bringing technologies to market to diagnose and/or treat cancer.
Download the case studies: https://www.epo.org/learning/materials/sme/innovation-case-studies/technology-transfer-case-studies.html
New energy landscapes
The latest Patent Index shows that clean energy technologies are driving a surge in patent applications. New filings in the field of electrical machinery, apparatus and energy grew by 18.2% in 2022, and battery technologies (which is a sub-field herein) grew by 48%. Our experts discuss the leading countries in this exciting field and give insights into what is driving the innovations in clean energies, including hydrogen, batteries, wind, solar and geothermal energy.
Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO
Guests: Yann Ménière, Chief Economist, EPO, and Victor Veefkind, patent examiner, EPO
The revolution in smart health
The latest Patent Index shows that the top three fields of technology – digital communication, medical technology and computer technology – alone comprised nearly a quarter of all filings to the EPO in 2022. These areas are converging to create a revolution in smart healthcare, with devices monitoring, diagnosing and even treating us without a doctor’s opinion or a stay in hospital. The experts discuss the leading applicants in this exciting field and give insights into what is driving the innovations in smart health.
Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO
Guests: Carlos Rivera Pons, Team Manager EPO, and Riccardo Carta, patent examiner, EPO
Earth observation for a greener planet
Sensor tech supports sustainability by delivering crucial climate data. We explore the satellite-based sensors that forecast weather, detect pollution, protect biodiversity and monitor the environment. Experts from the European Patent Office, the European Space Policy Institute and the European Space Agency dive into their recent joint study, which shows a meteoric rise of patent applications in space-borne sensing. Could innovation in space be key for a greener planet?
Moderated by Tomas Hrozensky from the European Space Policy Institute with the participation of Johannes Schaaf from the European Patent Office and Stephan Speidel from HE Space Operations working closely with the European Space Agency.
See the Patent Insights report on “Space-borne sensing and green applications”
Patent documents quoted by Johannes for illustrative purposes: EP3469516B1 EP3655743B1 EP2193449B1
Patenting trends in hydrogen innovation
Innovation in hydrogen is booming, not just in production, but also in storage and applications. Current hydrogen production relies heavily on fossil fuels, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Electricity from renewable sources (wind, solar etc.), using new electrolyser technologies, herald a new era for this clean energy source. But which countries and sectors are in the lead, and what are the challenges to the hydrogen revolution?
Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO
Guests: Simon Bennett, Technology Analyst at IEA, and Yann Ménière, EPO Chief Economist
Women in tech: the road to gender equality
Leading patent professionals, scientists, and academics tackle one of society’s biggest challenges: gender equality in tech careers. This special episode, hosted by Roberta Romano-Götsch (EPO Chief Sustainability Officer), features highlights from the EPO’s recent roundtable discussions on women inventors.
Creating an innovation culture around results
Innovation can fail in the gap between public research funding and private investment taking over, often termed the Valley of Death. But innovation culture also has a key role to play.
Services offered by the European Innovation Council and the EPO’s network of over 320 PATLIB centres spread across Europe can help entrepreneurs cross the valley safely and thrive.
Join Tom Withnell (EPO), Francesco Matteucci (Programme Manager, EIC) and Roberto Santolamazza (Managing Director,t2i PATLIB Centre, Italy) as they discuss these topics.
Patent information centres (PATLIB): https://www.epo.org/searching-for-patents/helpful-resources/patlib.html
European Innovation Council: https://eic.ec.europa.eu/index_en
European Innovation Council 2023 work programme: https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-2023-work-programme_en
Differentiating collaboration, convergence and cohesion (Research into patents)
Do we have knowledge cohesion across Europe? How does it differ from convergence? There is vast research on cohesion policy in Europe which still has to be developed on the grounds of measurement and the links between convergence and cohesion. In this podcast, Semih Akçomak tells us how to use patent collaboration and EU Framework Project collaboration data to analyse knowledge convergence and cohesion.
This episode is moderated by Catalina Martínez García, senior researcher in the Institute of Public Goods and Policies at the Spanish National Research Council.
Download full research project report: https://www.epo.org/learning/materials/academic-research-programme/research-project-grants.html
Inspiring inventors: Carmen Hijosa
This podcast episode is a recording of the chat EPO patent examiner Edward Cooke had with Carmen Hijosa. At 60, Carmen began her PhD and established a new textile company that uses pineapple leaves to produce a vegan alternative to leather. Today, her business is thriving, the material is sought after by global fashion brands and the leaves, which are a by-product of pineapple harvesting in the Philippines, offer an additional income stream to farmers while using an otherwise discarded resource.
Third episode in the series "Inspiring inventors" - giving you a unique opportunity to interact with the inventors, learn from their inspiring experiences, and take a closer look at what goes into successfully bringing an invention to market.
How intellectual property (IP) rights create jobs and prosperity in the EU
Industries making above-average use of intellectual property (IP) rights support four in ten jobs in the European Union, pay higher wages, comprise 47% of EU GDP and contribute ca 80% to EU exports. The significant contribution of these industries to the EU’s economy has been comprehensively analysed in the latest economic study produced jointly by the EPO and EUIPO. This fourth edition is new for 2022, and builds on the previous studies published in 2019, 2016 and 2013.
Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO
Guests: Nathan Wajsman, EUIPO Chief Economist, and Yann Ménière, EPO Chief Economist
Understanding the business value of SMEs' patent portfolio (Research into patents)
How credible are innovative business proposals? How likely are investors to fund start-ups and SMEs? Patents are fundamental to protect technologies, but they are also a useful signalling tool. In this podcast, Alberto Di Minin, Professor at the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa, tells us how patents can bridge the gap between investors and enterprises. According to a joint Scuola Sant’Anna and Centro Nazionale Ricerche study, business proposals coming from companies with a patent portfolio consistent with the type of activities that they seek financial support for are more likely to get funded.
This episode is moderated by Catalina Martínez García, senior researcher in the Institute of Public Goods and Policies at the Spanish National Research Council.
Download full research project report: https://www.epo.org/learning/materials/academic-research-programme/research-project-grants.html
Patents as loan collateral (Research into patents)
Funding constraints are often a barrier to innovation, but patents can help raise funding when used as collateral. In this podcast Dirk Czarnitzki, professor in the Department of Management, Strategy and Innovation at the KU Leuven in Belgium and Felix Bracht, doctoral researcher, will discuss patent characteristics relevant in loan negotiations and estimate the level of debt firms can rise by pledging patents.
This episode is moderated by Catalina Martínez García, senior researcher in the Institute of Public Goods and Policies at the Spanish National Research Council.
Download full research project report: https://www.epo.org/learning/materials/academic-research-programme/research-project-grants.html
Towards a concordance map: from patents to trade marks (Research into patents)
Connecting patents and trademarks can help track the diffusion of patented inventions into the market, reveal the commercialization capabilities of patenting firms and capture market specializations related to specific technologies. In this podcast Carolina Castaldi, professor of Geography of Innovation at the University of Utrecht, will delve into the process to tell you more about how researchers, policymakers and innovators can make the most out of patent and trademark concordance tables. This episode is moderated by Catalina Martínez García, senior researcher in the Institute of Public Goods and Policies at the Spanish National Research Council.
Carolina Castaldi received the European Patent Office's Academic Research Programme grant in 2019.
More about the Academic Research Programme: https://www.epo.org/learning/materials/academic-research-programme.html
More about Carolina Castaldi's project: https://www.epo.org/learning/materials/academic-research-programme/research-project-grants.html
Approaching the deal (IP as key commercial asset)
So, you’ve protected your IP and have found a company or investor who is interested in the next stage of the commercialisation journey. Now you need to strike a deal. What are your essential considerations? How might the negotiations go? It can seem daunting but in this podcast Christophe Haunold, a knowledge and technology transfer professional, University of Luxembourg PaKTT office head, and ASTP President, will provide useful advice.
Moderated by Alison Campbell, CEO of the United Kingdom Government Office for Tech Transfer.
This is the sixth episode in the series "Intellectual property (IP) as key commercial asset: the essentials".
How could you turn your ideas and creativity into profit? More specifically, how could you commercialise patents and other intellectual property (IP) to grow your business? This podcast series help inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the potential of IP take their first steps in the business world. IP experts from all over Europe will share their inspirational stories, know-how and strategies that can help you turn your idea into a business.
Approaching the market (IP as key commercial asset)
Protecting your IP is a very important milestone, but it is only the starting point. So how do you begin the commercialisation journey? In this podcast you’ll learn about timing, identifying the market and customer’s needs, and finding support that can help you move your IP forward - all factors crucial for success.
In this podcast Marta Catarino, Head of Knowledge Transfer and Innovation at B.acis: Centre for Health Innovations at the School of Medicine at the University of Minho in Portugal helps you understand this landscape. Moderated by Alison Campbell, CEO of the United Kingdom Government Office for Tech Transfer.
This is the fifth episode in the series "Intellectual property (IP) as key commercial asset: the essentials".
How could you turn your ideas and creativity into profit? More specifically, how could you commercialise patents and other intellectual property (IP) to grow your business? This podcast series help inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the potential of IP take their first steps in the business world. IP experts from all over Europe will share their inspirational stories, know-how and strategies that can help you turn your idea into a business.
Protecting IP assets: types and scope (IP as key commercial asset)
Understanding the different types of intellectual property rights and their implications is key to knowing what’s right for you and your business and also when and why. But it requires a great deal of expertise, product and market knowledge and strategic thinking mostly mastered by professionals. In this podcast Rut Herbjörnsen, European and Swedish patent attorney, will tell you more about the role of a patent attorney who can provide you with excellent advice on IP types, help you define the assets you want to protect and become a valuable business partner. Moderated by Alison Campbell, CEO of the United Kingdom Government Office for Tech Transfer.
This is the fourth episode in the series "Intellectual property (IP) as key commercial asset: the essentials".
How could you turn your ideas and creativity into profit? More specifically, how could you commercialise patents and other intellectual property (IP) to grow your business? This podcast series help inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the potential of IP take their first steps in the business world. IP experts from all over Europe will share their inspirational stories, know-how and strategies that can help you turn your idea into a business.
Free advice to get you started (IP as key commercial asset)
Before seeking IP protection, it is critical to understand the landscape and potential scope of your rights. New entrepreneurs often ask, “Where do I start?”. In this podcast we will discuss incredibly useful free resource: the PATLIB network. PATLIBS can help innovators at the early stages of their IP journey by offering guidance, practical help and a wealth of useful connections.
Alison Campbell, CEO of the United Kingdom Government Office for Tech Transfer, talks with Riccardo Priore, a patent analyst and IP consultant at the PATLIB of the Area Science Park in Trieste, Italy.
This is the third episode is a new series - "Intellectual property (IP) as key commercial asset: the essentials".
How could you turn your ideas and creativity into profit? More specifically, how could you commercialise patents and other intellectual property (IP) to grow your business? This podcast series help inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the potential of IP take their first steps in the business world. IP experts from all over Europe will share their inspirational stories, know-how and strategies that can help you turn your idea into a business.
Inspiring inventors: Pete and Ben Kibel
This podcast episode is a recording of the chat EPO patent examiner Edward Cooke had with the British brothers Pete and Ben Kibel, who together invented a fishing hook cover, called Hookpod. The Hookpod helps save the lives of hundreds of thousands of seabirds, by reducing seabird bycatch in the open-sea longline fishing industry.
Second episode in the series "Inspiring inventors" - giving you a unique opportunity to interact with the inventors, learn from their inspiring experiences, and take a closer look at what goes into successfully bringing an invention to market.
The art of defining the scope of your idea (IP as key commercial asset)
Getting the scope of your intellectual property right at an early stage and aligning it with your business is crucial. But how do you go about it? In this podcast, our guest Antonio López will guide you through some of the critical points you should check before investing in any form of IP. We will discuss why analysing what others have worked out before you will help you learn about what you can protect, where to find this valuable information, and how you could use it to find alternatives and avoid unpleasant surprises later in the process.
Alison Campbell, CEO of the United Kingdom Government Office for Tech Transfer, talks with Antonio López, a senior patent expert with Telefonica.
This is the second episode is a new series - "Intellectual property (IP) as key commercial asset: the essentials".
How could you turn your ideas and creativity into profit? More specifically, how could you commercialise patents and other intellectual property (IP) to grow your business? This podcast series help inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the potential of IP take their first steps in the business world. IP experts from all over Europe will share their inspirational stories, know-how and strategies that can help you turn your idea into a business.
Deep tech innovation in the EU and US
Many of the smart, connected, autonomous devices driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) are created by small, agile companies. They often face acute problems with access to finance and acquiring skilled staff, and their “deep tech” innovations can have long lead times to get to market. The economists at the European Investment Bank and the European Patent Office have teamed up for the first time to investigate the particular challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in this sector. Debora Revoltella and Yann Ménière explain their findings, comparing Europe with the US. They also discuss solutions than could help the boom in digital technologies seen in e.g. manufacturing, AI, transport, healthcare and clean energy.
Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO
Guests: Debora Revoltella, EIB Chief Economist, and Yann Ménière, EPO Chief Economist
Building on intellectual property to create a business: a real case
When it comes to commercialising your technology, integrating intellectual property or IP, into your business strategy can be a game-changer. IP can become an asset and essential marketing tool because it demonstrates credibility, sends a strong message about your market space and can help attract partners and investors. This podcast highlights how investing in IP at the right time can open many doors. Alison Campbell, CEO of the United Kingdom Government Office for Tech Transfer, talks to Maija Itkonen, serial entrepreneur, founder of the company Gold & Green. The company developed an entirely new plant-based protein and brought a range of new food products to the market.
This is the first episode is a new series - "Intellectual property (IP) as key commercial asset: the essentials".
How could you turn your ideas and creativity into profit? More specifically, how could you commercialise patents and other intellectual property (IP) to grow your business? This podcast series help inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the potential of IP take their first steps in the business world. IP experts from all over Europe will share their inspirational stories, know-how and strategies that can help you turn your idea into a business.
Find out in our new series!
Vaccine technologies
In 2019 the global market for vaccines was estimated to be worth $33 billion (US), barely 2.5% of the global market for pharmaceuticals. The COVID-19 pandemic has put vaccines into the spotlight. Helena Domingues and Zoran Cilenšek are experts in immunology and experienced examiners. They explain the evolving technologies, the new entrants and the changes in patent applicants’ filing behaviour.
Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO
Guests: Helena Domingues, patent examiner, EPO, and Zoran Cilenšek, patent examiner, EPO
Smart urban mobility
The current production delays caused by shortages of semiconductor chips prove just how much our cars have become computers on wheels. The automotive and ICT industries are converging. And patent applications to the EPO both for transport and digital technologies grew significantly last year, as revealed in our Patent Index for 2021. Two experienced examiners explain the evolving technologies, the new entrants and the changes in patent applicants’ filing behaviour.
Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO
Guests: Rupert Plenk, patent examiner, EPO, and Patrick Pascheka, patent examiner, EPO
Patents, pandemic and the rise of China - key trends in filings
The new Patent Index 2021 reports on the latest trends in patent filings to the EPO. Digital technologies have boomed, and healthcare remained strong. But nearly half of all technology sectors have still not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Filings from China have risen by 24% in 2021, and have quadrupled over the last decade. The Patent Index 2021 also reveals the rankings for the leading applicants and countries. It is a complex, evolving picture, so to help make sense of it all Aidan and Yann review and interpret the statistics which reveal the course of global innovation.
Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO
Guests: Aidan Kendrick, Chief Business Analyst, EPO, and Yann Ménière, Chief Economist, EPO
PATLIB centres and patent attorneys: allies or competitors?
There are many players in Europe’s IP ecosystem, some offering mostly free advice and support, others providing paid-for legal services. These need not be rivals, but rather complement each other. A good example is how over 300 PATLIB centres, found in many major European cities, can work with local patent attorneys to support inventors and entrepreneurs.
Christoph Hoock, Director at PATON, patent centre of Thuringia, a PATLIB in Germany and Jasper Werhan, partner at the Patent Attorney firm Meissner Bolte also in Germany, have built a strong working relationship over the last 30 years. They describe their cooperation as a win-win-win situation benefiting each of their organisations and their clients too. They explain the role of PATLIB centres, who their customers are and why patent attorneys and PATLIB centres should be working together to increase their client base and provide the best services to inventors and thereby promote innovation in Europe. This episode is moderated by EPO examiner Ed Cooke.
Inspiring inventors: Marco Donolato
What makes inventors tick? We at the EPO have launched a new talk series - Inspiring inventors - which gives you a unique opportunity to interact with the inventors, learn from their inspiring experiences, and take a closer look at what goes into successfully bringing an invention to market.
In the first instalment, Italian physicist and company founder Marco Donolato shares his journey with patent examiner Edward Cooke. Nominated for the Award in 2021, Donolato and his team developed an automated device to test for infectious diseases. The invention uses a modified Blu-ray optical pick-up to detect light scattered by magnetic nanoparticles clustered around target antibodies. The low-cost, easy to use device can diagnose dengue, Zika or SARS-CoV-2 from a single drop of blood, making it ideal for resource poor regions.
Boosting wind energy operation - a spin-out story
Renewable energy systems like wind power plants are heavily reliant on sensors for their smooth autonomous operation. Building on innovative research from the German Technical University of Munich (TUM), start-up company Fos4X successfully developed and commercialised fibre optical sensor technology that makes wind turbines safer and less vulnerable to severe weather conditions. TUM institute director Professor Alexander Koch, who is also a European patent attorney, encouraged four young entrepreneurs to found Fos4X. Together with Christian Hackl, a technology transfer expert at TUM-Tech, Prof. Koch will explain how patents laid the foundation for the fast-growing spin-out and its successful exit.
Bringing augmented reality into the operation room: a technology transfer case study
One of the most exciting developments in surgery being seen today is the application of augmented reality. This innovative imaging technology assists surgeons by mixing real vision of a patient’s body with digital information (e.g. vital signs or anatomical atlases) in real time, making procedures safer and more affordable. João Barreto, an entrepreneurial professor from the Portuguese University of Coimbra and the founder of Perceive 3D, took up the challenge to commercialise a promising technology in medical imaging, despite the small size of the local market. Together with José Ricardo Aguilar, Head of Legal/IP at Instituto Pedro Nunes, Prof. Barreto will explain how broad patent protection and a vibrant innovation eco-system paved the way for market success.
Guidelines for Examination - the attorneys' view (European Patent Bar)
Meeting virtually for an after-work chat in the European Patent Bar, three patent attorneys discuss their work on the SACEPO Working Party on Guidelines. The latest version of the EPC and PCT-EPO Guidelines for examination have been published and come into force on 1 March. The experts discuss some of the key changes to the Guidelines, and the most significant topics which provoked debate within the Working Party, like adaptation to the description, claim-like clauses, colour drawings and changes proposed by the examiner. They even discuss what issues they expect to address in future (e.g. oral proceedings by videoconference). The EPO’s current user consultation on the Guidelines (until 15 April) invites more feedback from all patent professionals!
The views of the speakers are their own and not necessarily those of the EPO, epi, FICPI or BusinessEurope, nor of EP&C, PV or BASF.
Moderator: Jordi Kox, associate partner at EP&C in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Guests: Anette Hegner, senior European patent attorney at PV in Hellerup near Copenhagen, Denmark and Heiko Sendrowski, senior counsel at BASF in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
Take part in the online consultation
3D printing high-performance polymers: a technology transfer case study
3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is already disrupting prototyping and production in many fields. It brings flexibility to the manufacturing process and unprecedented design freedom, heralding a future with broader creative possibilities.
A leading researcher in 3D printing technologies and Cubicure’s co-founder, Prof. Jürgen Stampfl and Karin Hofmann, one of TU Vienna`s leading patent and licensing managers, explain how a long-term technology transfer strategy with a smart allocation of IP usage rights established an international hub for state-of-the art-research in additive manufacturing as well as the creation of several successful spin-outs, such as Cubicure.
Cycling safely into the future: a technology transfer case study
The speed, weight and power of the latest e-bikes can surprise many riders – they need better brakes. With electrical power on board, it is now possible to integrate anti-lock braking systems (ABS) specifically adapted to make this increasingly popular mode of green transport safer. Listen to Blubrake’s co-founder, Fabio Todeschini and technology transfer expert Professor Granieri explain how a smart patenting strategy turned engineers into entrepreneurs, leading to a successful spin-out from the Politecnico di Milano and their partner incubator e-Novia.
Moderator: Stephanie Weber, Communication Manager, European IP Helpdesk
Guests: Massimiliano Granieri, Professor of Law at the University of Brecia and Fabio Todeschini, General Manager of Blubrake
The key to longer, healthier lives? (European Inventor Award)
Thanks to Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, scientists now have a precise method to grow heart, lung, skeletal and vascular tissue for transplants, disease modelling, or drug testing. The Popular Prize winner at the European Inventor Award 2021 spoke to IP journalist James Nurton about her career, mentoring students, and advancements in tissue engineering.
Rock CO2, roll back climate change
How can technology reverse climate change? Icelandic innovators are collaborating worldwide and using their geological know-how to tackle humankind’s greatest challenge. Intellectual property attorney María Kristjánsdóttir (LEX / GH Sigurgeirsson IP) and Bergur Sigfússon (head of CO2 capture and injection, CarbFix) discuss carbon capture and how IP can facilitate planet-saving partnerships.
Patents for tomorrow’s plastics
The rate at which plastics are produced (about 50 million tonnes per year) is outpacing our ability to manage the resulting waste. New technologies will help us all to better reduce, reuse and recycle plastics. Patent examiners Wibke Meiser and Maxime Dossin are two of the co-authors of the EPO’s latest study that reveals the innovation trends in chemical and biological recycling, as well as the growth in research into plastics that can self-repair and are easier to recycle. In this podcast they share their detailed knowledge of these booming technologies and interpret the statistics and trends in global innovation as measured through international patent filings. The episode is moderated by Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO.
The determination to heal wounds: a technology transfer case study
This is the remarkable story of how four female researchers from a Turkish university laboratory secured market success for their new product to treat chronic wounds. It is told by Evren, one of the researchers and a co-founder of the spin-off company Dermis Pharma, and Mustafa, the university’s commercialisation manager. They reveal how a collaborative approach to commercialising patented technology can overcome unforeseen setbacks. The podcast is one of several based on the inspiring technology transfer case studies that the EPO published in summer 2021.