Talk innovation: unlocking technology

Almost 8% of patent filings at the EPO in 2023 were for computer technology, which includes the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence. But which types of AI are growing especially fast and why? What do experts mean when they say that 2024 is the year of the embodiment of AI? And could the next superantibiotic be designed by AI?  

Moderator: 

Jeremy Philpott, EPO Communications manager 

Guests:  

Wiebke Hinrichs, EPO patent examiner 

André Fonseca dos Santos, EPO patent examiner 

EPO's Patent Index

Female inventors have shaped the world in more ways than we might realise.  

Join three women working in patents and STEM as they celebrate inspiring female inventors and discuss their experiences in their fields. Hear their advice for anyone interested in a technical career and discover why diversity is the key to unlocking powerful innovation.  

Guests:  

Joana Piriquito Santos, Attorney-at-law 

Maryse Stoufs, EPO internal auditor 

Moderator: 

Cristina Lopes Margarido, EPO patent examiner 

Is offshore wind energy the key to solving the climate crisis? A recent joint report reveals insightful findings, highlighting challenges and opportunities in this growing sector. Join study authors from the European Patent Office and International Renewable Energy Agency as they discuss this clean energy source.  

Full report

Guests: 

Francisco Boshell, Head Innovation and End Use Applications, IRENA 

Jaidev Dhavle, Associate Programme Officer, Innovation for the Energy Transition, IRENA 

Johannes Schaaf, EPO patent intelligence expert 

Moderator: 

Geert Boedt, EPO patent data analyst

When dealing with disability, is gene therapy an ethical solution? Can technology encourage a more equitable world? Does society truly listen to people with a disability?

In this special edition, we’ll meet several authors seeking answers to these complex questions. We’ll hear their creations before learning about the inspiration behind each tale. "Who am I?" by Brian Routledge, "L’ Expo" by Christophe Poizat and "Mosaïque" by Paule Gilis were the winning entries in EPO’s writing competition on the theme disability and innovation. The contest was open to all staff and formed part of our celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the European Patent Convention. Brian’s story also won the 2023 essay competition organised by the Brain journal and is published there (link below).   

"Who am I" by Brian Routledge on epo.org

"Who am I" by Brian Routledge in the "Brain" Journal

"The exhibition" by Christophe Poizat on epo.org

"Mosaic" by Paule Gilis on epo.org

Are you a new IT or computer science graduate looking to make a difference? Are you ready to kickstart your career in an international environment?  

Hear from Young Professional Metehan about his active role in EPO initiatives such as data protection in IT. Learn more about the networking and development opportunities he's enjoyed, how he's contributing to innovation and how the programme has fostered his personal and professional growth.  

Applications for 2024 are now open, for more information please visit: epo.org/pan-european-seal

Moderators: 

Persida Jovanovic, Young Professional in Talent Acquisition

Penelope Piraino, Young Professional in Talent Acquisition

Guest:

Metehan Malakçi, Young Professional in IT Sourcing, Risk and Compliance

Loved this episode? Dive into Part I now!

Graduating in STEM and looking for your next career step? Looking to expand your international network?

Now's your chance to learn all you need to know about the Young Professionals Programme, first hand, from current participants.

Learn why Larisa applied to the programme, the benefits she's enjoyed most and how this hands-on experience with innovation has helped put her on the right career path.

Applications for 2024 are now open, for more information please visit: epo.org/pan-european-seal

Moderators: 

Persida Jovanovic, Young Professional in Talent Acquisition 

Penelope Piraino, Young Professional in Talent Aquisition

Guest:  

Larisa Turtureanu, Young Professional in Patent granting process

Loved this episode? ⁠Dive into Part II now!⁠

The EPO's latest study reveals massive global advances in diagnostics and treatments, with universities and public research institutes playing a major role. Innovation against cancer is growing rapidly and the wealth of free patent information in the EPO's newest technology platform is helping scientists to make more breakthroughs.  

Read the full study

Read the key findings

Access the Technologies combatting cancer platform

Guests: 

Laurent Deleu, Patent examiner, European Patent Office 

 IIlja Rudyk, Senior economist, European Patent Office  

Moderator: 

Jeremy Philpott, Communications manager, European Patent Office 

Peek behind the curtain and learn about what goes into successfully bringing sustainable innovations to market. EPO patent examiner Edward Cooke speaks with bioscience engineering professor Johan Martens about the solar panel he co-invented which produces clean hydrogen from sunlight and moisture. Their conversation covers topics such as hydrogen energy, the UN's sustainable development goals and how Johan's invention is designed for varied climatic conditions. 

More about Johan Martens

Technology can kick green mobility into higher gear but you, as an individual, can also make a move! Learn what it takes and get on board with Ben Brown and Ciara Doyle from Going Green Media and EPO patent examiner Haider Al-Taie. Along the way you will learn about the latest trends in transportation, the challenges in the road ahead and about the important impact you can make with sustainable commuting. Let's drive into a greener future together!

Join us on an interstellar adventure to explore the out-of-this-world technology that makes space exploration possible. You probably even use space technology here on Earth without even realising it! Inventor and YouTuber Simone Giertz and former patent examiner Rainer Kaysan will guide you through these fascinating inventions, careers in space and the key role aerospace innovation plays for a greener planet. Buckle up and get ready to blast off in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!

Interested to hear more? Here's a link to an earlier episode on technologies used in space: "Earth observation for a greener planet"

Device on. Headphones on. Press play. Game on! But… what goes into a video game?

What drives innovation in hardware, software and graphics? Could you become a video game developer and maybe even change the world for the better? Join a tech expert and patent examiner for a unique look at the technology behind your favourite titles.

You’ll never look at games the same again!

Speakers:

Patrick Mikulastik and Anne-Marie Imafidon

Music by: YipYep

How are European startups using patents and trade marks to raise finance? The high failure rates of promising startups are often linked to their cashflow problems, so this a topic of critical importance for Europe’s economy. The authors of a recent study discuss their findings with regard to patents, trade marks and startup finance.

Guests:           Yann Ménière, Chief Economist, European Patent Office

Nathan Wajsman, Chief Economist, EU Intellectual Property Office

Moderator:  Jeremy Philpott, manager in Communications, European Patent Office

Access our study

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a disruptive technology coming of age. The EPO’s latest study reveals explosion in global patenting activity in 3D printing and other forms of AM, now being deployed in construction, healthcare and transport. Patent filings for AM inventions are increasing at eight times the rate across all technologies, as AM comes out of its niche as a prototyping tool and enters the mainstream at the centre of manufacturing.

Moderator: Jeremy Philpott (Communications manager, EPO)

Guests: Ilja Rudyk (Senior Economist, EPO) and Judy Ceulemans (Senior Expert, EPO)

Download the study

More about additive manufacturing on our website

Elena García Armada invented a robotic exoskeleton for children who use wheelchairs, vastly improving their rehabilitation. However, going from lab to market was no mean feat. The Spanish robotics expert had to navigate clinical testing, impress investors, learn about intellectual property and attract world-class engineers to work on her ambitious project. But seeing smiles on the faces of young patients who walk for the very first time have made the journey worthwhile. This episode is part of the Inspiring Inventors series, which looks at ground-breaking technologies and the people behind them. 

Moderator: Edward Cooke, Patent examiner, European Patent Office 

Guest: Elena García Armada, Co-founder and CEO, Marsi Bionics 

More about Elena García Armada: https://new.epo.org/en/news-events/european-inventor-award/meet-the-finalists/elena-garcia-armada

A simple cheek swab could begin a new lease on life for patients with leukaemia. Stem cell typing is the first step in matching patients with donors. Join us to learn about typing from donors, people who've conquered a blood cancer, a biotechnology expert and a PR manager at an NGO that recruits donors and supports patients. We'll also provide details on an up-coming stem cell typing drive in Munich and The Hague, one of the ways we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the European Patent Convention this year.

Moderator: Sabine Lunau, EPO Communications manager

Guests:

Aliki Nichogiannopolou, EPO Director: DNA, peptide and cell biotechnology

Andreas Böhm-Pélissier, member of an EPO Boards of Appeal

Jennifer Andersen, DKMS, Public relations manager

Two scientists-turned-entrepreneurs have created the technology platform S-TIR for immunology vaccines, enabling treatments for allergies and cancer. Based on their strong patent portfolio they founded several start-up companies for product development and technology commercialisation. In this podcast they explain how IP was essential for attracting investment as well as generating licensing revenue early on. This was crucial given the long time-to-market periods that are typical in biotechnology.

The EPO has recently published three new case studies highlighting the role of IP in creating businesses that are bringing technologies to market to diagnose and/or treat cancer.

Download the case studies: https://www.epo.org/learning/materials/sme/innovation-case-studies/technology-transfer-case-studies.html

The latest Patent Index shows that clean energy technologies are driving a surge in patent applications. New filings in the field of electrical machinery, apparatus and energy grew by 18.2% in 2022, and battery technologies (which is a sub-field herein) grew by 48%. Our experts discuss the leading countries in this exciting field and give insights into what is driving the innovations in clean energies, including hydrogen, batteries, wind, solar and geothermal energy.

Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO

Guests: Yann Ménière, Chief Economist, EPO, and Victor Veefkind, patent examiner, EPO

See epo.org/patent-index2022

The latest Patent Index shows that the top three fields of technology – digital communication, medical technology and computer technology – alone comprised nearly a quarter of all filings to the EPO in 2022. These areas are converging to create a revolution in smart healthcare, with devices monitoring, diagnosing and even treating us without a doctor’s opinion or a stay in hospital. The experts discuss the leading applicants in this exciting field and give insights into what is driving the innovations in smart health.

Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO

Guests: Carlos Rivera Pons, Team Manager EPO, and Riccardo Carta, patent examiner, EPO 

See epo.org/patent-index2022

Sensor tech supports sustainability by delivering crucial climate data. We explore the satellite-based sensors that forecast weather, detect pollution, protect biodiversity and monitor the environment. Experts from the European Patent Office, the European Space Policy Institute and the European Space Agency dive into their recent joint study, which shows a meteoric rise of patent applications in space-borne sensing. Could innovation in space be key for a greener planet?

Moderated by Tomas Hrozensky from the European Space Policy Institute with the participation of Johannes Schaaf from the European Patent Office and  Stephan Speidel from HE Space Operations working closely with the European Space Agency.

See the Patent Insights report on “Space-borne sensing and green applications” 

Patent documents quoted by Johannes for illustrative purposes: EP3469516B1  EP3655743B1 EP2193449B1

Innovation in hydrogen is booming, not just in production, but also in storage and applications. Current hydrogen production relies heavily on fossil fuels, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Electricity from renewable sources (wind, solar etc.), using new electrolyser technologies, herald a new era for this clean energy source. But which countries and sectors are in the lead, and what are the challenges to the hydrogen revolution?

Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO

Guests: Simon Bennett, Technology Analyst at IEA, and Yann Ménière, EPO Chief Economist

See epo.org/trends-hydrogen

Leading patent professionals, scientists, and academics tackle one of society’s biggest challenges: gender equality in tech careers.  This special episode, hosted by Roberta Romano-Götsch (EPO Chief Sustainability Officer), features highlights from the EPO’s recent roundtable discussions on women inventors.

> Read full study or key findings

> Watch all panel discussions in full

Innovation can fail in the gap between public research funding and private investment taking over, often termed the Valley of Death. But innovation culture also has a key role to play. 

Services offered by the European Innovation Council and the EPO’s network of over 320 PATLIB centres spread across Europe can help entrepreneurs cross the valley safely and thrive. 

Join Tom Withnell (EPO), Francesco Matteucci (Programme Manager, EIC) and Roberto Santolamazza (Managing Director,t2i PATLIB Centre, Italy) as they discuss these topics.

Patent information centres (PATLIB): https://www.epo.org/searching-for-patents/helpful-resources/patlib.html

European Innovation Council: https://eic.ec.europa.eu/index_en

European Innovation Council 2023 work programme: https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-2023-work-programme_en

Do we have knowledge cohesion across Europe? How does it differ from convergence? There is vast research on cohesion policy in Europe which still has to be developed on the grounds of measurement and the links between convergence and cohesion. In this podcast, Semih Akçomak tells us how to use patent collaboration and EU Framework Project collaboration data to analyse knowledge convergence and cohesion.

This episode is moderated by Catalina Martínez García, senior researcher in the Institute of Public Goods and Policies at the Spanish National Research Council.

Download full research project report: https://www.epo.org/learning/materials/academic-research-programme/research-project-grants.html

This podcast episode is a recording of the chat EPO patent examiner Edward Cooke had with Carmen Hijosa. At 60, Carmen began her PhD and established a new textile company that uses pineapple leaves to produce a vegan alternative to leather. Today, her business is thriving, the material is sought after by global fashion brands and the leaves, which are a by-product of pineapple harvesting in the Philippines, offer an additional income stream to farmers while using an otherwise discarded resource. 

Third episode in the series "Inspiring inventors" - giving 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. 

Read more about Carmen Hijosa

Industries making above-average use of  intellectual property (IP) rights support four in ten jobs in the European Union, pay higher wages, comprise 47% of EU GDP and contribute ca 80% to EU exports. The significant contribution of these industries to the EU’s economy has been comprehensively analysed in the latest economic study produced jointly by the EPO and EUIPO. This fourth edition is new for 2022, and builds on the previous studies published in 2019, 2016 and 2013.

Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO

Guests: Nathan Wajsman, EUIPO Chief Economist, and Yann Ménière, EPO Chief Economist

See epo.org/ipr-intensive-industries

How credible are innovative business proposals? How likely are investors to fund start-ups and SMEs? Patents are fundamental to protect technologies, but they are also a useful signalling tool. In this podcast, Alberto Di Minin, Professor at the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa, tells us how patents can bridge the gap between investors and enterprises. According to a joint Scuola Sant’Anna and Centro Nazionale Ricerche study, business proposals coming from companies with a patent portfolio consistent with the type of activities that they seek financial support for are more likely to get funded.

This episode is moderated by Catalina Martínez García, senior researcher in the Institute of Public Goods and Policies at the Spanish National Research Council.

Download full research project report: https://www.epo.org/learning/materials/academic-research-programme/research-project-grants.html

Funding constraints are often a barrier to innovation, but patents can help raise funding when used as collateral. In this podcast Dirk Czarnitzki, professor in the Department of Management, Strategy and Innovation at the KU Leuven in Belgium and Felix Bracht, doctoral researcher, will discuss patent characteristics relevant in loan negotiations and estimate the level of debt firms can rise by pledging patents.

This episode is moderated by Catalina Martínez García, senior researcher in the Institute of Public Goods and Policies at the Spanish National Research Council.

Download full research project report: https://www.epo.org/learning/materials/academic-research-programme/research-project-grants.html

Connecting patents and trademarks can help track the diffusion of patented inventions into the market, reveal the commercialization capabilities of patenting firms and capture market specializations related to specific technologies. In this podcast Carolina Castaldi, professor of Geography of Innovation at the University of Utrecht, will delve into the process to tell you more about how researchers, policymakers and innovators can make the most out of patent and trademark concordance tables. This episode is moderated by Catalina Martínez García, senior researcher in the Institute of Public Goods and Policies at the Spanish National Research Council. 

Carolina Castaldi received the European Patent Office's Academic Research Programme grant in 2019. 

More about the Academic Research Programme: https://www.epo.org/learning/materials/academic-research-programme.html

More about Carolina Castaldi's project: https://www.epo.org/learning/materials/academic-research-programme/research-project-grants.html

So, you’ve protected your IP and have found a company or investor who is interested in the next stage of the commercialisation journey.  Now you need to strike a deal. What are your essential considerations? How might the negotiations go? It can seem daunting but in this podcast  Christophe Haunold, a knowledge and technology transfer professional, University of Luxembourg PaKTT office head, and ASTP President, will provide useful advice.

Moderated by Alison Campbell, CEO of the United Kingdom Government Office for Tech Transfer.

This is the sixth episode in the series "Intellectual property (IP) as key commercial asset: the essentials".

How could you turn your ideas and creativity into profit? More specifically, how could you commercialise patents and other intellectual property (IP) to grow your business? This podcast series help inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the potential of IP take their first steps in the business world. IP experts from all over Europe will share their inspirational stories, know-how and strategies that can help you turn your idea into a business.

Protecting your IP is a very important milestone, but it is only the starting point. So how do you begin the commercialisation journey? In this podcast you’ll learn about timing, identifying the market and customer’s needs, and finding support that can help you move your IP forward - all factors crucial for success.

In this podcast Marta Catarino, Head of Knowledge Transfer and Innovation at B.acis: Centre for Health Innovations at the School of Medicine at the University of Minho in Portugal helps you understand this landscape. Moderated by Alison Campbell, CEO of the United Kingdom Government Office for Tech Transfer.

This is the fifth episode in the series "Intellectual property (IP) as key commercial asset: the essentials".

How could you turn your ideas and creativity into profit? More specifically, how could you commercialise patents and other intellectual property (IP) to grow your business? This podcast series help inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the potential of IP take their first steps in the business world. IP experts from all over Europe will share their inspirational stories, know-how and strategies that can help you turn your idea into a business.

Understanding the different types of intellectual property rights and their implications is key to knowing what’s right for you and your business and also when and why. But it requires a great deal of expertise, product and market knowledge and strategic thinking mostly mastered by professionals.  In this podcast Rut Herbjörnsen, European and Swedish patent attorney, will tell you more about the role of a patent attorney who can provide you with excellent advice on IP types, help you define the assets you want to protect and become a valuable business partner. Moderated by Alison Campbell, CEO of the United Kingdom Government Office for Tech Transfer.

This is the fourth episode in the series "Intellectual property (IP) as key commercial asset: the essentials".

How could you turn your ideas and creativity into profit? More specifically, how could you commercialise patents and other intellectual property (IP) to grow your business? This podcast series help inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the potential of IP take their first steps in the business world. IP experts from all over Europe will share their inspirational stories, know-how and strategies that can help you turn your idea into a business.

Before seeking IP protection, it is critical to understand the landscape and potential scope of your rights. New entrepreneurs often ask, “Where do I start?”. In this podcast we will discuss incredibly useful free resource: the PATLIB network. PATLIBS can help innovators at the early stages of their IP journey by offering guidance, practical help and a wealth of useful connections. 

Alison Campbell, CEO of the United Kingdom Government Office for Tech Transfer, talks with Riccardo Priore, a patent analyst and IP consultant at the PATLIB of the Area Science Park in Trieste, Italy.

This is the third episode is a new series - "Intellectual property (IP) as key commercial asset: the essentials".

How could you turn your ideas and creativity into profit? More specifically, how could you commercialise patents and other intellectual property (IP) to grow your business? This podcast series help inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the potential of IP take their first steps in the business world. IP experts from all over Europe will share their inspirational stories, know-how and strategies that can help you turn your idea into a business.

This podcast episode is a recording of the chat EPO patent examiner Edward Cooke had with the British brothers Pete and Ben Kibel, who together invented a fishing hook cover, called Hookpod. The Hookpod helps save the lives of hundreds of thousands of seabirds, by reducing seabird bycatch in the open-sea longline fishing industry. 

Second episode in the series "Inspiring inventors" - giving 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. 

Read more about Pete and Ben Kibel

Getting the scope of your intellectual property right  at an early stage and aligning it with your business is crucial. But how do you go about it? In this podcast, our guest Antonio López will guide you through some of the critical points you should check before investing in any form of IP. We will discuss why analysing what others have worked out before you will help you learn about what you can protect, where to find this valuable information, and how you could use it to find alternatives and avoid unpleasant surprises later in the process.

Alison Campbell, CEO of the United Kingdom Government Office for Tech Transfer, talks with Antonio López, a senior patent expert with Telefonica. 

This is the second episode is a new series - "Intellectual property (IP) as key commercial asset: the essentials".

How could you turn your ideas and creativity into profit? More specifically, how could you commercialise patents and other intellectual property (IP) to grow your business? This podcast series help inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the potential of IP take their first steps in the business world. IP experts from all over Europe will share their inspirational stories, know-how and strategies that can help you turn your idea into a business.

Many of the smart, connected, autonomous devices driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) are created by small, agile companies. They often face acute problems with access to finance and acquiring skilled staff, and their “deep tech” innovations can have long lead times to get to market. The economists at the European Investment Bank and the European Patent Office have teamed up for the first time to investigate the particular challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in this sector. Debora Revoltella and Yann Ménière explain their findings, comparing Europe with the US. They also discuss solutions than could help the boom in digital technologies seen in e.g. manufacturing, AI, transport, healthcare and clean energy.

Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO

Guests: Debora Revoltella, EIB Chief Economist, and Yann Ménière, EPO Chief Economist

See epo.org/trends-deeptechSMEs

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 Itkonen, serial entrepreneur, founder of the company Gold & Green. The company developed an entirely new plant-based protein and brought a range of new food products to the market.

This is the first episode is a new series - "Intellectual property (IP) as key commercial asset: the essentials". 

How could you turn your ideas and creativity into profit? More specifically, how could you commercialise patents and other intellectual property (IP) to grow your business? This podcast series help inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the potential of IP take their first steps in the business world. IP experts from all over Europe will share their inspirational stories, know-how and strategies that can help you turn your idea into a business.

Find out in our new series!

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, and Zoran Cilenšek, patent examiner, EPO

See epo.org/patent-index2021

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, Communications Manager, EPO

Guests: Rupert Plenk, patent examiner, EPO, and Patrick Pascheka, patent examiner, EPO

See epo.org/patent-index2021

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 Yann review and interpret the statistics which reveal the course of global innovation.

Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO

Guests: Aidan Kendrick, Chief Business Analyst, EPO, and Yann Ménière, Chief Economist, EPO

See epo.org/patent-index2021

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 Meissner Bolte also in Germany, have built a strong working relationship over the last 30 years. They describe their cooperation as a win-win-win situation benefiting each of their organisations and their clients too. They explain the role of PATLIB centres, who their customers are and why patent attorneys and PATLIB centres should be working together to increase their client base and provide the best services to inventors and thereby promote innovation in Europe. This episode is moderated by EPO examiner Ed Cooke.

Find out more about PATLIBs

Save the date for the PATLIB2022 online conference

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 automated device to test for infectious diseases. The invention uses a modified Blu-ray optical pick-up to detect light scattered by magnetic nanoparticles clustered around target antibodies. The low-cost, easy to use device can diagnose dengue, Zika or SARS-CoV-2 from a single drop of blood, making it ideal for resource poor regions.

Read more about Marco Donolato

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 entrepreneurs to found Fos4X. Together with Christian Hackl, a technology transfer expert at TUM-Tech, Prof. Koch will explain how patents laid the foundation for the fast-growing spin-out and its successful exit.

Read the case study

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 technology in medical imaging, despite the small size of the local market. Together with José Ricardo Aguilar, Head of Legal/IP at Instituto Pedro Nunes, Prof. Barreto will explain how broad patent protection and a vibrant innovation eco-system paved the way for market success.

Read the case study

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 changes proposed by the examiner. They even discuss what issues they expect to address in future (e.g. oral proceedings by videoconference). The EPO’s current user consultation on the Guidelines (until 15 April) invites more feedback from all patent professionals!

The views of the speakers are their own and not necessarily those of the EPO, epi, FICPI or BusinessEurope, nor of EP&C, PV or BASF.

Moderator: Jordi Kox, associate partner at EP&C in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Guests: Anette Hegner, senior European patent attorney at PV in Hellerup near Copenhagen, Denmark and Heiko Sendrowski, senior counsel at BASF in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany

Take part in the online consultation

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 IP usage rights established an international hub for state-of-the art-research in additive manufacturing as well as the creation of several successful spin-outs, such as Cubicure.

Read the case study

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 the Politecnico di Milano and their partner incubator e-Novia.

Moderator: Stephanie Weber, Communication Manager, European IP Helpdesk

Guests: Massimiliano Granieri, Professor of Law at the University of Brecia and Fabio Todeschini, General Manager of Blubrake

Read the case study

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

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.

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 share their detailed knowledge of these booming technologies and interpret the statistics and trends in global innovation as measured through international patent filings. The episode is moderated by Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO.

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 technology transfer case studies that the EPO published in summer 2021.

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 

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

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, with 2125 oppositions heard via VICO in the first half of 2021. Changes have been made to the technical platforms and legal frameworks to maintain transparency and access to justice despite the pandemic. The EPO’s current user consultation (until 30 September) provokes debate about what has gone well, and would could be the future of oral proceedings by VICO at the EPO.

Have your say!

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.

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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. Brian and Ciaran explain the technology behind the invention and how the university’s technology transfer office enabled the collaboration, paving the way to market success.

This podcast is one of a series based upon technology transfer case studies published by the EPO in the summer of 2021.

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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 featuring in the robotic helicopter “Ingenuity” recently deployed on Mars. Andreas and Caroline are interviewed by Stephanie about the extraordinary journey for this award-winning company and its materials, requiring a special blend of business planning, IP strategy and creativity.

This podcast is one of a series based upon technology transfer case studies published by the EPO in the summer of 2021.

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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.

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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 conditions - are traceable throughout the supply chain.

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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

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.

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 and why working at the EPO can be such a rewarding journey.

Dive into patents: epo.org/searching

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 the role of Galileo in ensuring autonomy for Europe.

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!

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.

Inventoraward.org

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” green energy production technologies (wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric) have matured and LCE patenting activity in the last 3 years has been increasing at 3.3% p.a. – barely one quarter the rate seen a decade ago. Innovation is now seen in hydrogen, batteries, smart-grids and carbon capture. Electric vehicles are a particular driver for innovation. The study considered over 420,000 LCE international patent families from the last twenty years, revealing the very different specialisms in LCE technologies around the world.  

epo.org/trends-energy

Moderator: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information, EPO

Guest: Haider Al-Taie, Team Manager Electric Vehicles, EPO

Electric transportation is key to cutting pollution and creating a greener world. Meet Haider Al-Taie to learn more about this rapidly evolving field and how advances in infrastructure and electric vehicles can take it to the next level!

Moderator: Abderrahim Moumen, director in examination, EPO

Guest: José Ángel Ávila Rodríguez, GNSS Evolutions Signal and Security Principal Engineer, European Space Agency

The novel coronavirus pandemic has presented several problems, not least of which is tracking the spread of a virus that cannot be seen by the naked eye. José Ángel Ávila Rodríguez, co-inventor of the radio signals in the Galileo satellite navigation system, provides insight into pandemic tracking and discusses the future of the world’s most accurate satellite network.

Moderator: Regula von Eggelkraut-Gottanka, Team Manager Proteins and Analysis, EPO

Guests: John Elvesjö and Mårten Skogö 

John Elvesjö and Mårten Skogö are an intellectual property success story. Their patented eye-tracking technology helped them found garage start-up and grow it to a stock-exchange listed company. Today, they are venture capitalists who are guiding a new generation of companies to success.

Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO

Guest: Norbert Wienold, EPO patent examiner in digital technologies and classification expert

Digital technologies are on the rise – from 5G to AI to the “internet of things”. The fields of digital communications and computer technology comprised over 15% of all patent filings to the EPO last year according to our recently published Patent Index 2020. But which countries or companies are in the lead? And how are the trends changing as these technologies rapidly evolve and converge? Norbert and Jeremy explore and unravel the stories behind the numbers for the technologies driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

See epo.org/patentindex2020

Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO

Guests: Elsie Cielen, pharmaceuticals expert, and Fredrik Aslund, biotechnology expert; Examiners’ Team Managers at the EPO

Innovation in healthcare and life sciences is more important than ever before. The fields of medical technology, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology comprised over 16.7% of all patent filings to the EPO last year according to our recently published Patent Index 2020. But where has the boom in patent filings come from… and where will it take us in the future? Two experts share their insights into these fascinating technologies.

See epo.org/patentindex2020

Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, Communications Manager, EPO

Guests: Aidan Kendrick, Chief Business Analyst, EPO, and Yann Ménière, Chief Economist, EPO

The EPO’s new Patent Index 2020 reports on the latest trends in patent filings to the EPO. Which companies were filing more, or fewer, patent applications, where were they from, and who was top of the rankings? What were the big technology trends last year? Which sectors are booming and which are declining in the face of the pandemic and its attendant economic impact? For sure 2020 has produced greater diversity in patent filing behaviour than ever predicted. It is a complex, even confusing picture, so to make sense of it all Aidan and Yann review and interpret the statistics which reveal the course of global innovation.

See epo.org/patentindex2020

Moderator: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information, EPO

Guest: Sonsoles Hernanz, patent examiner, EPO

Advances in metal processing have given countless enterprises a decisive technological advantage ever since the emergence of the first Bronze Age civilisations. More recently, welding even entered the field of plastics. Sonsoles Hernanz has the latest, including on how virtual reality helps to train welders, and how welding enables new products to be created using solid-state metal joining.

Moderator: Rainer Osterwalder, Director, Communication, EPO

Guest: Dr Önder Nomaler, Researcher at UNU-MERIT

Tracing the development of a technology in patents can hold quite a number surprises, Önder Nomaler tells us in his podcast. His method: don’t just consider individual patents, but establish a technology’s trajectory by considering related references such as citations from other patents. You’ll find that many of the green technologies have a non-green - or brown -  origin, as he calls it. Seeing both sides offers a wider view on these technologies, too.

Moderator: Rainer Osterwalder, Director, Communication, EPO

Guest: Dolores Modic, Postdoktor, Nord University Business School

Innovation and IP data are prototypical “big data” troves used by organisations for informed decision making and evidence-based policy development, Dolores Modic explains in her podcast. To facilitate this usage providers such as the EPO need to openly publish their data in a standardised machine-readable form on the Internet for enabling the sets to be interlinked. The IP Linked Open Data map builds bridges by connecting the EPO’s EP Linked Open Data with the Springer SCI Grass data and is available to the public. 

Moderator: Gwilym Roberts, Partner at Kilburn & Strode LLP, London

Guests: Cyra Nargolwalla, Partner at Passeraud IP, Paris and Dr Joachim Renken, Partner at Hoffmann Eitle, Munich

In a lively debate three experienced patent attorneys critically assess “Opposition by VICO” at the EPO.

Oral proceedings cannot be postponed indefinitely, despite the pandemic’s restrictions on travel and meetings. Since last summer the EPO has been transitioning to videoconferencing (VICO) for opposition hearings, adapting its technical platforms and legal frameworks to keep the wheels of justice turning. But what do patent attorneys think about the EPO’s VICOs services? What has gone well, and what do they suggest for improvements?

Moderator: Rainer Osterwalder, Director, Communication, EPO

Guest: Alessandra Perri, Associate Professor, Ca’ Foscari University

While the accelerating ubiquity of digital technologies can be experienced almost universally, the automotive sector is particularly strongly affected by the 4th industrial revolution. Alessandra Perri presents a patent landscaping study that invites us to take a deeper look at this source of industrial turbulence, as she terms it, to better understand where the digital changes in cars come from, and who is driving them.

Moderator: Rainer Osterwalder, Director, Communication, EPO

Guest: Professor Giuseppe Scellato, Politecnico di Turino

In terms of patents generated by publicly funded research such as the EU’s FP7 programme is often difficult to assess. In this podcast, Giuseppe Scellato from the Politecnico Turin presents a method that helps to show how the programme activities translated into patents, providing policy makers with  a valuable tool to assess how their funding of academic research spurs innovation among the surrounding businesses.

Moderator: Rainer Osterwalder, Director, Communication, EPO

Guest: Professor Dietmar Harhoff, Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition

Technical standards are key to securing the interoperability of devices such as smart phones and computers, and are often claimed in standard-essential patents (SEPs). But how can be verified whether a patent really pertains to a technical standard as claimed? In his podcast Dietmar Harhoff proposes a method based on semantic analysis to shed some light on the standard-essentiality of patent portfolios.

Moderator: Marjorie Chopinaud, Team Manager, EPO

Guest: Laura van 't Veer, Co-founder and Chief Research Officer, Agendia

Inventor, researcher, professor and businesswoman: Laura van 't Veer wears many hats. She invented a gene-based breast cancer test that helps doctors decide whether a patient needs to undergo chemotherapy. Since winning the European Inventor Award in 2015, Laura’s invention was part of a large clinical trial which showed that many patients can overcome cancer without the devastating effects of chemotherapy.

Moderator: Marjorie Chopinaud, Team Manager, EPO 

Guest: Laura van 't Veer, Co-founder and Chief Research Officer, Agendia

Inventor, researcher, professor and businesswoman: Laura van 't Veer wears many hats. She invented a gene-based breast cancer test that helps doctors decide whether a patient needs to undergo chemotherapy. Since winning the European Inventor Award in 2015, Laura’s invention was part of a large clinical trial which showed that many patients can overcome cancer without the devastating effects of chemotherapy.

Moderator: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information EPO

Guest: Jens Horstmannshoff, examiner EPO

From tape recorders to “streaming wars”, the pace of change in audiovisual technologies is accelerating. Meet Jens Horstmannshoff, whose work you’ve probably benefitted from unknowingly while watching your favourite TV series. Jens shares his views on 3D televisions, the new frontiers of streaming, and the role of technologies such as 5G in the next wave of digital transformation.

Moderator: Francesco Zaccà, Principal Director in Mobility & Mechatronics, EPO

Guests: Yann Ménière, EPO Chief Economist, Norbert Wienold, patent examiner in ICT, databases and business methods 

Yann Ménière, EPO Chief Economist joins Norbert Wienold, patent examiner in ICT, databases and business methods to discuss the latest economic study on the patent trends for technologies which enable our data-driven economy. “Data is the new oil” – whoever has the most data has the most wealth and power! The study reveals that the growth in patents for e.g. smart, connected devices, combined with 5G and AI, is running at five times the rate for other technical fields. So-called “4IR” technologies now comprise 11% of all patent applications to the EPO, and could be contributing over €2.2 trillion to the EU’s GDP by the end of this decade. The impact of these disruptive technologies on industry, our economies and our lives will be enormous and, as our experts explain, some countries are advancing more than others.

Moderator: Fernando Tiberini

Guest: Oliver Hayden, Director, TranslaTUM

Blood tells a story and if you could read it, you would know how healthy a person is. Oliver Hayden has spent his career leading ground-breaking research into blood analysis and is driving accurate diagnoses in diseases ranging from malaria to the coronavirus. The former European Inventor Award winner also provides a glimpse of his work at the Technical University of Munich.

Moderator: Jeremy Philpott, communications manager, EPO

Guests: Ilja Rudyk, EPO senior economist and Thomas Bereuter, EPO innovation support manager 

Ilja Rudyk, EPO senior economist joins Thomas Bereuter, innovation support manager at the European Patent Academy, to discuss their latest scoreboard on patent commercialisation by universities and public research organisations (PROs). The scoreboard reveals the routes to market for inventions developed in universities and PROs – whether through patent licensing or sales, collaborations with industry (locally or cross-border) or by founding start-ups and spin-outs. The barriers to commercialisation differ widely across Europe. This scoreboard follows the one published in 2019 concerning SMEs.

Moderator: James Nurton, IP journalist

Guest: António Campinos, EPO President

What impact has the COVID-19 pandemic had on the EPO? How has productivity been affected? Will video conferences fix the backlog of cases? Is the Strategic Plan 2023 still relevant? What does the New Normal mean? And when will we see AI patent examination? EPO President António Campinos answers to these and more questions in this podcast.

Moderator: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information EPO

Guest: Timea Garlati, examiner EPO

Whether you consider food and drink, medicines, cosmetics or Christmas trees, packaging technologies tend to be crucial in allowing us to take products home for instant use without a second thought. Join Timea Garlati for more on the challenges involved in making this possible and how the latest advances in convenient packaging are also helping to preserve the environment.

Moderator: Fernando Tiberini

Guest: Thomas Tuschl, Professor of Biochemistry, Rockefeller University

New York is the city that never sleeps but the coronavirus pandemic forced the it into hibernation. Resident and world-leading biochemist Thomas Tuschl has taken up the fight, exploring potential new treatments. The European Inventor Award finalist is also pushing boundaries that may lead to solutions for autoimmune diseases.

Moderator: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information EPO

Guest: Cécile Fayos, examiner EPO

As personalised medicine takes off, Cécile Fayos talks about the role of ethics and the stories behind a selection of pharmaceutical blockbusters. Join Cécile to learn more about how the modern patent system dovetails with traditional medicine used for centuries.

Moderator: Fernando Tiberini

Guest: Elmar Mock, Inventor and entrepreneur

There are few who think outside the box quite like Elmar Mock. There are also few who have been as prolific – Elmar is named as the inventor or co-inventor in 178 patent families and has worked on some 800 projects. But what makes the co-inventor of the famous Swatch tick? How does he approach the inventive process? Inventing, it seems, is not a straightforward process.

Moderator: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information EPO

Guest: Pau Montes, examiner EPO

Radiation diagnostics has come a long way after its accidental discovery in the late nineteenth century. Now routinely used in modern medicine, it once got a little help from the Beatles, whose record sales contributed to financing a major breakthrough in CT scanning. Meet Pau Montes to learn more about the fascinating evolution of the field and its working principles.

Moderator: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information, EPO

Simon Bennett, energy technology analyst at the International Energy Agency (IEA), joins EPO patent examiners Giuliano Gregori and Stefano Meini to discuss the latest innovation trends in battery and electricity storage technologies. This is essential listening for anyone interested in hopeful responses to the urgent question of climate change and follows the publication of the first EPO-IEA joint study, which shows a rapid increase in electricity storage inventions over the last decade. After listening to the podcast, you may wish to continue exploring the findings of the EPO-IEA study, learn more about the IEA’s work on technology innovation, the IEA’s Tracking Clean Energy Progress report and Special Report on Clean Energy Innovation, or discover the roots of today’s innovation in the work of Japanese inventor, Nobel laureate and European Inventor Award winner Akira Yoshino.

Moderator: Fernando Tiberini

Guest: Luke Alphey, Group Leader, Arthropod Genetics, The Pirbright Institute

According to a World Health Organisation fact sheet, half of the world’s population is at risk of contracting dengue, a deadly mosquito-borne viral infection. Luke Alphey has spent two decades developing DNA-based solutions to slow the spread of disease. His current research looks at gene drives and techniques that could ensure beneficial traits are passed on in mosquitoes.

Moderator: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information EPO

Guest: Rob Chapman, examiner EPO

The entire world population has rarely experienced a greater need for research into vaccines and antibodies than now. Meet Rob Chapman to learn about the latest advances in the quest to boost all our immune responses.

Moderator: Fernando Tiberini

Guest: Helen Lee, CEO, Diagnostics for the real world

Helen Lee left a career in industry to work on an invention that would be a game-changer in treating viruses such as HIV. Her device won a 2016 European Inventor Award and is now deployed several developing regions and is part of programmes to detect mother-to-child transmission of HIV. In 2020, Helen and her team developed atest for SARS-CoV-2. Their device, SAMBA II, delivers results in 90 minutes, giving medical professionalsan important weapon in fighting the spread of COVID-19.

Moderator: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information EPO

Guest: Xavier Dauw, examiner EPO

Nanotechnology is invisible to the eye but has an enormous impact on semiconductors and a whole range of other fields, from organic chemistry to molecular biology. Meet Xavier Dauw, a passionate expert on the materials used in the electronics that will drive our future, especially when it comes to artificial intelligence.

Moderator: Anton Versluis, Team Manager Pattern Recognition, EPO

Guest: Steve Lindsey, CEO, Lontra

Guided by the principal of using engineering to change the world, Steve Lindsey invented a new type of compressor that cuts energy usage by some 30%. He applies the kind of thinking that revolutionised the consumer world to industry. The result? The UK’s first smart factory, where a network of connected machines reduce waste, improve sustainability, and increase productivity.

Moderator: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information EPO

Guest: Ekkehard Weinberg, Team Manager Washing Machines / Dishwashers, EPO 

Our domestic appliances were never smarter than today. Now they are really starting to get themselves connected. EPO team manager Ekkehard Weinberg reveals how the latest developments do not only make our daily chores far less taxing but benefit our environment too.

Join EPO experts for a unique journey through the technoscape

Just how much passion and know-how goes into creating the many new inventions that shape our daily lives? If you enjoy great insider stories about science and technology, then don’t miss this unique journey through the entire technoscape. For researchers, inventors, investors, lawyers and anyone interested in how innovation is making the world a better place.

Moderator: Fernando Tiberini

Guest: Hans Clevers, Professor of Molecular Genetics, UMC Utrecht and Utrecht University

The concept of growing mini human organs in a lab would once have seemed far-fetched. But Hans Clevers changed all that. Today, the organoids he invented are used to conduct safe and humane research in fields ranging from cancer treatments to anti-venom production, and from personalised medicine and the coronavirus.

Moderator: Fernando Tiberini

Guest: Ian Frazer, Professor of Medicine, The University of Queensland

Ian Frazer is a world-renowned immunologist who co-invented the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Today, Ian guides research on several fascinating and ambitious projects, including the total eradication of cervical cancer, and also shares insight on coronavirus treatments. In this podcast, the former European Inventor Award winner discusses the journey to the HPV vaccine, the role of patents in driving innovation, and the challenges faced in reducing deaths, despite the availability of vaccines.

Moderator: Fernando Tiberini

Guest: Rino Rappuoli, Chief Scientist and Head External R&D, GSK Vaccines

As the novel coronavirus shatters our way of living, the world lives in hope that a vaccine will arrive. But what does it take to produce a vaccine that is safe and has few side effects, and do it quickly? Rino Rappuoli, Lifetime achievement winner at the European Inventor Award 2017, shares his views on coronavirus treatments and provides a glimpse at how vaccinology has changed over time.

The European Inventor Award honours innovators: those whose technical and scientific skill contribute to progress, economic growth and improving our lives. In this series, we catch up with Award alumni for their views on trends in innovation and intellectual property, while getting a rare glimpse at their cutting-edge new research or inventions.