Disclosure of a scientific discovery or invention presents a prime opportunity for institutions to promote technological development and to generate new sources of income. But first, commercial prospects for the underlying intellectual property need to be evaluated and the necessary actions must be taken to protect it.
These are crucial tasks for any tech transfer office, whether internal or outsourced.
Researchers with one L2C client developed an advancement in gene science. Invention discovery discussions are frequent and a regular part of the L2C process. The client inventors believed the discovery had potential applications in genetic and cancer research -- and the L2C team swung into action.
L2C Partners’ Founder and CEO Merle Gilmore and Domingos Silva, a Saul Ewing IP attorney, worked together to provide the client with the seamless experience it would receive through an internal tech transfer office. First, Ms. Gilmore, who has 20+ years of experience in commercialization, working with high growth emerging businesses, evaluated the commercial potential of the discovery. Then, Dr. Silva, who holds a PhD in organic chemistry from Princeton University, drafted and filed a patent application directed to the discovery. This was the first patent application filed by the client in its long history.
Drafting and filing patent applications are complicated and time-consuming processes that require assistance from legal professionals with a technical background that aligns with the science behind the discovery. Not only do Saul Ewing attorneys and patent agents have advanced degrees in diverse scientific fields, they also have commercial business experience to assist in capturing the commercial attributes of patentable technology. These capabilities, combined with those of L2C, help direct L2C clients toward solutions that will help protect and build their IP portfolios.
