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Abstract:

IP protection of antibodies is a quite specialized area of patenting. Therapeutic antibodies have become big business. 25+ antibodies are now approved by the FDA. Marketing and annual sales have reached well past the 25+ billion dollar mark. However, companies, operating in this space, must pay careful attention to intellectual property issues, which can dramatically affect potential development and profitability. There is enormous interest and potential for exploiting antibody assets at NUS. In turn, NUS researchers wanting to license their antibodies to companies need to be aware of what steps to take for proper protection and avoidance of compromising the value of their antibody IP.

Speaker biography:

Dr. Andrew Serafini received a Ph.D. in immunology in 1994 from the Stanford University School of Medicine and is a partner in Fenwick's intellectual property group where his practice focuses on strategic intellectual property counseling for life sciences companies and universities. Fenwick & West LLP is a leading technology and life sciences law firm with a worldwide reputation and experience is patenting and litigating cases related to antibody related IP. 

Target: NUS Staff and Students

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Software IP Seminar

23 February 2009
12:00pm to 14:00pm 
Engineering Auditorium(See Map)

Admission is FREE but registration is required.

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Synopsis:

Much of the today's businesses are driven by software applications and has great commercial value. And there are increasing complexities and controversies surrounding protecting software inventions that has let to be distilled.

This seminar will give you a better understanding of the increasingly important but often misunderstood issues around software patents and open-source developments. It will also cover important lessons from case studies involving computer technologies and emerging legal issues.

Click here for more details.

Michael McLauglin's Presentation Slides (PDF)

Prof Liu Shang-Jyh's Presentation Slides (PDF)

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Admission:
Staff and students from all NUS faculties and research labs.

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International Next Big Thing Award 2009
http://www.nextbigthingaward.com

Win a share of $60,000 in cash and prizes for your new invention or innovation.  There’s also an exclusive six week exhibition at the Melbourne Museum for finalists.

The International Next Big Thing Award is an annual competition to find, showcase and reward the best and brightest new innovations.  2009 is the first year the award has been opened internationally, following the high level of interest in innovation globally.

“Past winners and finalists have gone onto reap enormous success in Australia and overseas, including establishing over 20 franchise operations, obtaining $7.6 million in finance, exporting to over 42 countries and generating sales of over $119 million a year,” said Joss Evans, CEO of INNOVIC, the Australian not for profit organisation that runs the award.

Ms Evans said the 2009 winners would join the ranks of other highly creative winners including E-Crete, a cementless-concrete made from waste produced by power stations; the robotic Shadow Caddy which follows the golfer around using radio frequency and computer processors and the Snapit, a colourful, reuseable, handheld device that safely opens glass ampoules.

As well an the international award this year, there will be awards for Innovation Excellence, Green Innovation and a Social/Community Benefit Award as well as the overall winner and the People’s Choice Award Winner, from online voting.

The Melbourne Museum will host the exhibition of the successful finalists’ innovations from 30 May to 12 July 2009.

Applications for the 2009 International Next Big Thing Award close on 16 March 2009.

Application forms and further details are available at http://www.nextbigthingaward.com or by calling INNOVIC on +613 9650 4733.

Download poster here
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Technology Commercialzation Forum 2008
Innovations for a Better World

21-22 November 2008
Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre

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Synopsis:

TCF is a premier event in Asia that brings academia, researchers, industry professionals, investors and entrepreneurs together for discussion and debate. It provides a platform to examine trends and key issues involved in commercializing inventions in and beyond the emerging economies of Asia.

The theme of TCF08 is “Innovations for a Better World” and the event is part of the Global Entrepreneurship Week, 17-23 November 2008 (http://www.entrepreneurshipweeksg.org), which is jointly organised by NUS Enterprise and Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE). Founded by the Kauffman Foundation, GEW is meant to inspire, connect, mentor and engage people worldwide to various entrepreneurial activities. The TCF08 supports these key objectives of encouraging entrepreneurship through technology transfer and will focus three key areas of Biomedical Sciences Translational and Clinical Research, Environmental and Water Technologies (Clean Water and Clean Energy) and Interactive and Digital Media.

With over 200 visitors and exhibitors yearly, TCF08 is an ideal platform for intellectual property (IP) generators and early-stage companies to meet with corporations and investors to explore partnering opportunities.

Come meet with leading experts from academia, venture capital, industry and government who will discuss the opportunities, challenges and future trends. These experts and industry players will be able to share insights and the current market focus which will catalyze connections and create impact.

Features

• Presentations by the world’s leading IP and Early Stage Ventures across multiple industries and disciplines.
• Interactive forum for the tech transfer and licensing community to connect technologies with partners and needs with solutions.
• Cutting edge technology showcasing in biomedical sciences, environment and digital & interactive media.
• Networking opportunities.

Target Audience

• Companies - How can I create new market opportunities? How can I move up the value chain by adopting new technologies?
• Venture Capital community - What is there to invest in next? What do I need to know when investing in Biomedical Sciences, Environmental and Water Technologies and Interactive and Digital Media?
• Government – What are the strategic areas of R&D, new initiatives in knowledge creation in science and technology, and new areas of economic growth which will fuel further growth for my country’s economy? What areas need to be encouraged and invested in?
• Technologists – What are new horizons for future technological breakthroughs and how can I collaborate with top institutions and universities?

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Admission:

The discounted early bird registration will be end on 30th September 2008.
Registration will continue until 18th November 2008. Onsite registration is available after 18th.

For general enquires, please email to tcf@nus.edu.sg
Or contact Ms Katrina Tan at 6516 4849.

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Intellectual Property Seminar

5 September 2008
12:00pm to 13:30pm
LT7A (See Map)

Admission is FREE but registration is required.

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Synopsis:

Whether you are a student, researcher or entrepreneur, you have INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY! Such information is proprietary and has great value. Protecting and commercialising the intellectual property plays a significant role in the advancement of science while acting as pillars of economic development!

Attend this seminar to gain a basic understanding of intellectual property along with the mechanics of their creation, the protection methods and their implications.

Right click to download the sildes.

1. Understanding IP
2. NUS Tech Transfer Process

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Admission:
Staff and students from all faculties and research labs

Vestas Seminar

24 July 2008
14.30 – 15.30pm
Engineering Auditorium
Admission is FREE but registration is required.

ntellectual Property Seminar

30 May 2008
12:00pm to 13:30pm
LT7A (See Map)
Admission is FREE but registration is required.

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Synopsis:

This seminar is specially designed for people who want to gain a better understanding in the protection of intellectual property.

Right-click to download
1. Introduction to Intellectual Property Rights
2. Overview of Tech Transfer Process in NUS

Innovation - A Challenge for Industry and Science
Prof Dr. phil. Claus Weyrich

26 March 2008
10.30am – 12pm (Networking Tea starts at 10am)
Engineering Auditorium
Admission is FREE but registration is required.
Click here to download Programme & Map to Engineering Auditorium

Globalization and increased competition pose new challenges to all industrial companies and even to the national economies of all countries. There is no doubt that growth through innovation is the only way to gain a leading position in the context of competition for markets and in the world economy.

Companies that want to set the trend have to be in a leading market position and have deep knowledge and understanding their customers’ businesses and processes. Furthermore, trendsetters must be in a leading position in strategically important technologies, must protect their positions with patents, must exploit synergies and must master their processes. Moreover, their research and development activities are drawn to those places where markets and innovation develop most dynamically. Last but not least they work with the world’s leading research institutes and have a distinct culture of innovation, as well as the best people at their disposal.

To increase the innovativeness on a national level is not only a challenge for industry but also for science, politics and society – all the way to the individual. In this context the effective and efficient collaboration between public research and industry is of utmost importance. This requires high-level management support on both sides, a spirit of partnership, intensive communication, and mutual understanding and trust. Government policies, in turn, can enhance the attractiveness of countries by, for example, reducing bureaucracy and administrative hurdles and thereby stimulating the investment climate. To make all of this possible, however, society as a whole must embrace an attitude characterized by openness to constructive change, willingness to take risks, and enhanced appreciation of entrepreneurial success.

To summarize: Innovations change the world, but in today´s dynamic world innovation as itself always requires changes. A well-known American cartoon says “When the winds of change are blowing, some build shelters and others build windmills.” In other words: The future belongs to those who accept the challenges of change who act proactively. By the way, this is valid for companies as well as entire economies.

Aerospace Seminar

19 February 2008
10:00am to 13:00pm
LT 26 (see map)
Admission is FREE but registration is required.