Patenting in Life Sciences

26 September 2023

Dr Jonas Pollard, UNIL

Dr Florence Guth, UNIL

Dr Jonas Pollard, UNIL 

Dr Florence Guth, UNIL

Whether you plan an academic research career, a move into the pharmaceutical or biotech industries or a switch to a research support role, there is a high chance that you will be confronted with questions related to intellectual property and patenting. Over the last decades, life sciences have become a productive source of technological innovation, leading to commercial products and new markets. Along with this ongoing development, issues in intellectual property are becoming more and more important for researchers in biosciences. To help you to prepare for this challenge, we organize a course dedicated to patents and their implementation in the field of life sciences. At the end of this two-day workshop, you will master basic knowledge in intellectual property and will have answers to the following questions: How does patenting in life sciences affect – my career? – academic research? – the society? The course consists of a series of lectures (see 'Meeting program') on intellectual property protection and patent law, challenges related to intellectual property in an academic environment and in a spin-off company and ethical considerations. You will also discover new job opportunities in the field of intellectual property management. 

This Workshop aims to equip microbiology PhD students with a comprehensive understanding of intellectual property concepts, focusing specifically on patents. Through a combination of theory and practical case studies, participants will enhance their knowledge of real-world applications. By the end of the workshop, students will be well-prepared to protect their research findings and leverage their potential impact.

Workshop Objectives:

• Develop a thorough understanding of intellectual property and its significance in academia and industry.
• Explore the fundamentals of patents, including patentable subject matter, rights, and the application process.
• Examine real-world case studies to understand the application of patents in microbiology research, infringement issues, and licensing opportunities.
• Learn strategies for safeguarding intellectual property through disclosure agreements and confidentiality measures.
• Gain insights into technology transfer, licensing, and entrepreneurship in the context of intellectual property commercialization.
• Foster an interactive learning environment for participants to engage in discussions and share experiences.

Morning session 

08:45 Registration

09:00- 12:30

- Welcome Introductory Remarks

- Introduction to Intellectual Property (IP) rights and their role

- Introduction to Non IP rights and basic notions on agreements related to IP rights and non-IP rights

- Mini Cases Studies – in students' groups

- Mini cases studies presentation and discussion

 12: 30- 13:30 Lunch break

Afternoon session

13:13-17:30

- Patent notion: from scientific results to patent claims

- A case study in microbiology

- Case study – Presentation and Discussion

- Closing session

University of Lausanne, Biopole, room B301

Registration : close

Deadline for registration: 19.09.23

Registration fee: free for CUSO PhD members, 100.- for non members.

Cancellation fee: 50.- for cancellations after the 19.09.2023

20