Behind the Numbers- Insights from U.S. Patenting on Diagnosing COVID-19
Release Date: 02/07/2024
Innovation Across Borders: Rodrigo del Canto on Global Technology Transfer
AUTM on the Air
In the industry of technology transfer, diverse perspectives from around the world not only help us understand how things work in other countries but also provide fresh ideas for our own organizations. Joining us today is Rodrigo del Canto, Director of Technology Transfer at iCono UDD in Santiago, Chile. Rodrigo del Canto is a seasoned professional in technology transfer and innovation, holding key roles at iCono UDD. With a background in law and public policy, Rodrigo extensively contributes to academia as a professor at Universidad del Desarrollo. He is actively involved in institutional...
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Innovate, Navigate, Communicate: Dr. Sheila Kadura on Transforming Policy into Tech Transfer Triumphs
AUTM on the Air
The influence of Washington D.C. corridor issues on tech transfer (technology transfer) operations significantly affects tech transfer professionals in several key ways. From navigating the regulatory environments of compliance and IP to funding, to ethical considerations, there’s a lot to unpack when it comes to translating policy into practice. I’m excited to talk with Dr. Sheila Kadura as she shares her wealth of knowledge and experience on tech transfer and regulatory policy. Dr. Sheila Kadura serves as Associate General Counsel at the University of Texas System, where she is...
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EDI Guide: Nine Points to Consider for Fostering Greater Inclusion in Innovation
AUTM on the Air
One of our goals at AUTM is to foster greater inclusion in innovation. We are committed to providing guidance to our members and the wider technology transfer community on important global issues. This episode is about one of the newest EDI guides, the Nine Points to Consider for Fostering Greater Inclusion in Innovation. I’m excited to discuss these new guidelines with Almesha Campbell, Jennifer Gottwald, and Jane Muir. Almesha Campbell and Jennifer Gottwald are members of the AUTM Women Inventors’ Special Interest Group (WISIG). They also contributed to the creation of this report. ...
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A Vision for Tomorrow: Yoichi Oshima on IP, Tech Transfer, and Innovation Analysis
AUTM on the Air
In the world of technology transfer, listening to diverse perspectives from across the globe isn't merely about understanding alternative methodologies; it's fundamentally about unlocking fresh ideas that can be integrated into our own organizations. Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Yoichi Oshima, the Vice President for Government and Industry Relations at Tokyo Tech. With a background in electronics engineering, Yoichi possesses extensive experience in both patent examination and semiconductor-related domains. His career has been marked by various significant roles, including...
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Equality in Academia: Investing in Women for Better Science With Janet, Ulrike, and Ursula
AUTM on the Air
Academia plays a crucial role in societal progress, supported by significant public funds allocated to higher education and research institutions. However, this support is compromised by pervasive sexism within academia, leading to the loss of talented women and impeding scientific advancement. Today, we're addressing a critical issue afflicting academia: sexism and its detrimental effects on science and public funding. Our discussion is inspired by the paper "Sexism In Academia Is Bad For Science And A Waste Of Public Funding," authored by Nicole Boivin, Susanne Täuber, Ulrike Beisiegel,...
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Breaking Barriers: The Untold Stories of Women Inventors With Rebekah Oakes
AUTM on the Air
Women's History Month celebrates the vital contributions of women throughout history and into the present day, marking a period where we honor their achievements and resilience across a multitude of fields, notably in areas like technology transfer and innovation. Women have always been at the heart of driving change, with their innovative inventions, pioneering research, and entrepreneurial zeal. Despite the hurdles of systemic barriers and gender biases, their perseverance has significantly impacted the landscape of tech transfer, leaving a lasting legacy. In today's discussion, we talk...
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Navigating Tech Transfer and Early-Stage Technology Acquisition With Leah Speser
AUTM on the Air
I’m excited to introduce Leah Speser, a seasoned expert in technology transfer and commercialization, currently serving as the Senior Consultant for Knowledge Transfer & Commercialization at the Research and Innovation Foundation of the Republic of Cyprus. Leah's experience and expertise in the world of tech transfer are extensive. She has an impressive career that spans academia, industry, and international development. Today, we’re discussing early-stage technology acquisition opportunities, a topic crucial for anyone looking to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of technology. Leah...
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Shaping A More Inclusive Intellectual Property World With Derrick Brent
AUTM on the Air
Creating positive change in the world of emerging technology requires more than just innovative ideas. It demands a commitment to fostering an environment where everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to contribute and thrive. This means implementing intentional practices, programs, and initiatives aimed at promoting inclusive innovation. By ensuring access for women, people of color, indigenous peoples, individuals with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and other underrepresented groups, we can pave the way for a more successful and inclusive...
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Celebrating Black Entrepreneurial Excellence: A Glimpse into Spelman's Center for Entrepreneurship with Dr. Grant Warner
AUTM on the Air
The entrepreneurial landscape in the United States is rich with talent and innovation, evidenced by the nearly 3.6 million Black-owned businesses, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. These enterprises, which employ around 1.3 million individuals across 4% of these businesses, are a vibrant testament to the resilience, inventiveness, and entrepreneurial drive within Black communities nationwide. Yet, despite their notable impact, Black entrepreneurs face persistent challenges, including limited access to capital, educational resources, networking, and mentorship. These barriers have...
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Immortalizing The Untold Stories of Black Inventors with James Howard of BIHOF
AUTM on the Air
As February unfolds, we're thrilled to kick off a special series in celebration of Black History Month, a time to honor the significant contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout history. Today, we're excited to chat with James Howard, the Executive Director of the Black Inventors Hall of Fame (BIHOF). James Howard wears many hats: he is a college professor, design historian, entrepreneur, industrial designer, inventor, and restaurateur. He brings more than 25 years of teaching experience in design and has created a course on Design Thinking and Design History, examining...
info_outlineWe have some interesting insights to share from "Diagnosing COVID-19: A Perspective from U.S. Patenting Activity," a report by the US Patent and Trademark Office's Chief Economist, Andrew Toole, and Senior Research Economist, Nicholas A. Pairolero.
Dr. Andrew Toole is the Chief Economist at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and also serves as a Research Associate at the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW). He has experience spanning the private sector, academia, and government.
Nicholas A. Pairolero is a Senior Research Economist at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). His work focuses on evidence-based policy and decision-making, with a particular interest in the economics of innovation.
This episode uncovers how universities and small companies have emerged as leaders in patenting COVID-19 diagnostics innovations. It highlights the critical role of government funding in driving innovation, alongside intriguing statistics about women patent applicants. We talk about the future of innovation and more in this in-depth exploration of the landscape of COVID-19 diagnostics patents.
In This Episode:
[01:33] The World Trade Organization adopted a waiver of COVID-19 related vaccine patents in June of 2022. The waiver was expanded to therapeutics and diagnostics which opened up an information vacuum.
[03:07] With the report Andy and Nick discovered that universities and small companies emerged as leaders in patenting COVID-19 diagnostics.
[03:47] They started on the report around April of 2023. They had Nick and patent examiners and really knowledgeable people on board. There were economists on the data side. Nick was able to organize the group within the PTO and collaborate with the International Trade Commission.
[04:51] Nick shares examples of small companies and universities that were top patent applicants for COVID-19 diagnostics.
[05:50] He also shares some of the companies that had emergency use authorization for diagnostics and the path to commercialization.
[07:27] Nick talks about the contributions of smaller organizations and the adaptability and diversity of the COVID-19 diagnostic innovation landscape.
[08:59] In the initial part of the pandemic, companies were responsive right away in April, May, and June of 2020. The response was extremely fast.
[10:16] The university system was well poised to respond to the pandemic. There were also a number of different government programs and support for research. Academic institutions have the ability to be very flexible.
[11:52] Support from the NIH played a crucial role. Under the Bayh-Dole Act universities are allowed to get exclusive rights to inventions that are partially funded by the government.
[13:45] About 11% of all of the patenting found related to COVID-19 diagnostics was supported in part by government funding.
[15:09] Nick is doing work with AI to identify patents and group them and create studies such as patent landscapes.
[16:03] Nick talks about taking a broader approach and a more specific approach when studying patent applications.
[19:34] Discovering that universities and small firms were such a big part of the equation was an "aha" moment.
[21:08] 71% of the public filings that they found were small companies and universities.
[22:41] It's very difficult to link the packaged test back to the original patents.
[23:31] Government support is one of the most important sources fueling innovation in the healthcare industry. The NIH is the largest . funding agency for healthcare research in the world.
[25:18] Obstacles for smaller groups include fewer experienced attorneys, slightly lower allowance rates, and more changes in the process.
[26:20] The quality of the attorney matters when getting through the complicated legal process of patent examination.
[27:20] Small and micro entities are a category they label, because they pay discounted fees for their filing and have to meet certain criteria. They are also looking at the inventors and even women versus men.
[28:07] Women inventors are arriving at the PTO in a greater proportion through small and micro entities as opposed to the large companies.
[29:14] They are also pursuing a study on how uncertainty is affecting the choices of applicants.
[30:07] Patent thickets are areas with a lot of patents that would be difficult to negotiate licensing over multiple holders.
[32:09] They looked at the overlap of invention claims or the description of what the invention does. They see increasing overlap over time.
[35:34] Having a study which shows what works and what doesn't work will help with future collaborative roles for small organizations and universities and government support in future health crises.
[37:45] Resilience and Ingenuity: Global Innovation Responses to Covid-19, shows the importance of collaboration that has to happen between government and organizations.
Resources:
Diagnosing COVID-19: A perspective from U.S. patenting activity.
Resilience and Ingenuity: Global Innovation Responses to Covid-19