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...
Apr 26, 2022•25 min•Season 2Ep. 19
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...
Apr 19, 2022•24 min•Season 2Ep. 18
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, Co...
Apr 12, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 17
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...
Apr 05, 2022•21 min•Season 2Ep. 16
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 Mei...
Mar 29, 2022•21 min•Season 2Ep. 15
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 automat...
Mar 09, 2022•18 min•Season 2Ep. 14
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 entrepr...
Mar 01, 2022•18 min•Season 2Ep. 13
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 techno...
Feb 22, 2022•25 min•Season 2Ep. 12
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 change...
Feb 08, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 11
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 ...
Jan 25, 2022•23 min•Season 2Ep. 10
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 th...
Jan 11, 2022•21 min•Season 2Ep. 9
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. Read more about Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic...
Nov 16, 2021•26 min•Season 2Ep. 8
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.
Nov 02, 2021•29 min•Season 2Ep. 7
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...
Oct 26, 2021•21 min•Season 2Ep. 6
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 technolog...
Oct 19, 2021•20 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Henrik Lindström and Giovanni Fili pioneered a new type of solar cell that can even harvest electricity indoors. Their invention enables self-charging devices and highlights the role of technology in combatting climate change. For their work, the Swedish innovators received the European Inventor Award in the Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) category in 2021. IP journalist James Nurton moderates this episode. Read more about Henrik Lindström and Giovanni Fili...
Sep 30, 2021•27 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Physicist Karl Leo tells us how his doped OLEDs transformed electronics and could contribute towards a more sustainable future. He also offers inspiring advice to young innovators and provides a fascinating look at his career. Leo won the European Inventor Award in Lifetime achievement in 2021. This episode is moderated by James Nurton. Read more about Karl Leo
Sep 21, 2021•25 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Moderator: Rachel Free, Partner at CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang in London, UK Guests: Matteo Maccagnan, Partner at Studio Torta S.p.A. in Bologna, Italy and Minna Alarcon, Senior Patent Counsel at Henkel AG in Düsseldorf, Germany Meeting virtually for an after-work chat in the European Patent Bar , three patent attorneys discuss their experiences of oral proceedings in opposition by videoconference (VICO) at the EPO. A lot has changed in the last year as the EPO’s pilot project has grown,...
Sep 14, 2021•22 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Moderator: James Nurton, IP journalist Guests: Marjorie Chopinaud and Miguel Angel Ruiz Ferrer, EPO Nominations are open for the European Inventor Award 2022 and both the public and inventors may want to learn how to submit a proposal for Europe’s foremost innovation prize. In this episode, listeners will go behind the scenes with two EPO patent examiners as they discuss the nomination process, highlight eligibility criteria, and provide insight into the new Young Inventors prize. Read more...
Sep 07, 2021•19 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Moderator: Stephanie Weber, Communication Manager, European IP Helpdesk Guests: Brian Caulfield, Inventor and Professor of Physiotherapy, University College Dublin; Ciaran O’Beirne, Head of Knowledge Transfer, University College Dublin Stress-induced urinary incontinence affects almost 400 million people worldwide. A novel device to treat this condition through electro-stimulation of muscles was developed by researchers at University College Dublin (UCD) and Bio Medical Research (BMR) in Ireland...
Jul 27, 2021•29 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Moderator : Stephanie Weber, Communication Manager, European IP Helpdesk Guests : Andreas Martsman, co-founder and VP Marketing & Sales at Oxeon, Caroline Pamp, IP professional, Legal advisor of Oxeon Following research at the Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden), the start-up company Oxeon was founded in 2003 to commercialise an innovative textile production process. The resulting materials have exceptional performance in e.g. sporting, industrial and aerospace applications – even fea...
Jul 20, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Moderator : James Nurton, IP journalist Guest: Sumita Mitra, European Inventor Award 2021 winner, Non-EPO countries Description: This pioneering inventor was the first to successfully use nanotechnology to create dental fillings. Despite their minute size, nanoparticles create many challenges for scientists. In this episode, Sumita Mitra tells us how she overcame these obstacles to develop a filling used in over 1 billion dental restorations worldwide. Read more...
Jul 13, 2021•25 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Moderator: James Nurton, IP journalist Guests: Robert N. Grass and Wendelin Stark, European Inventor Award 2021 winners, Research By encoding digital data on to DNA strands and encapsulating them within protective glass particles, the inventors developed an error-proof method to store data for millennia. But archival use is just the tip of the iceberg: their robust technique can be used as a fingerprint to label products and ensure that specific indicators - for example, origin or working condit...
Jul 06, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Moderator: James Nurton, IP journalist Guest: Per Gisle Djupesland, European Inventor Award 2021 winner While sitting on an aeroplane, the Norwegian ENT specialist began to think about airflow when he had a game-changing idea. It led to a device that significantly improves nasal drug delivery, a company with a growing global footprint, and a European Inventor Award in the Industry category. Read more about Per Gisle Djupesland...
Jun 23, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Moderator: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information, EPO Guest: Stéphane Lumineau, patent examiner, EPO Robots have often been portrayed in science fiction as posing a threat to humans. Today, robots and robotic manipulators are indispensable to industry, and increasingly used in services and domestic settings too. Meet Stéphane Lumineau to learn more about roboethics, the role of artificial intelligence in robot development and the degree to which robots can adopt a human touch....
Jun 08, 2021•15 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Moderator: Susana Sánchez Barrio, European Patent Academy Guest: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information, EPO (retired) Emerging technologies are constantly reshaping our daily technospace and taking it to the next level. From the old bulky TV sets to the modern flatscreen displays, Nigel Clarke has witnessed many of these level upgrades firsthand! Join him to learn more about technological trends, how the information disclosed in patents can help you steer your invention onto the right track...
Jun 01, 2021•18 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Moderator: Abderrahim Moumen, director in patent examination, EPO Guest: Günter Hein, Chairman of the Executive Board, Munich Aerospace The Galileo satellite navigation system already provides world-leading accuracy and is only at the Initial Operational Capability stage, with 22 active satellites in orbit. In the years ahead, the system will be improved so that it can offer a full range of services. Gunter Hein , co-inventor of the radio signals, gives us a glimpse at the future and discusses t...
May 25, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Moderator: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information, EPO Guest: Orla Feeney, patent examiner, EPO Scientists’ understanding of the properties and behaviour of light has hugely benefited our everyday lives. Meet Orla Feeny to learn how optics can help keep your finances safe, support you while driving and of course provide extraordinary views of a clear night sky!
May 18, 2021•20 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Moderator: James Nurton, IP journalist Guests: Helen Lee, CEO Diagnostics for the real world, European Inventor Award 2021 jury chair; Wolfgang Heckl, Director General Deutsches Museum The European Inventor Award celebrates creativity and honours those who are developing solutions to pressing global issues. In this episode, we speak to two jury members who provide unique insight into the selection process and discuss their unenviable task: choosing winners in a field of ingenious inventions. Inv...
May 12, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO Guests: Yann Ménière, Chief Economist at the EPO and Nick Johnstone, Chief Statistician at the International Energy Agency (IEA) The latest joint study from the EPO and IEA into low-carbon energy (LCE) technologies shows the urgent need for more innovation to respond to climate change. Many of the technologies we will need to meet carbon neutrality targets in the coming decades are still in development. The experts explain how “classic” gre...
Apr 27, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 39
