Intellectual property protection is a critical consideration for all bio-based startups.
Obtaining intellectual property protection, such as patents, can minimize competition and act as a defensive mechanism against infringement claims from others. Intellectual property also can attract or solidify funding and partnerships.
It is for this reason that Emergence, in collaboration with local partner, Planet Hatch recently hosted an IP education session for bio-sector innovators and entrepreneurs in Fredericton, New Brunswick. See: IP Seminar to be held at Planet Hatch in Entrevestor.
The seminar was presented by leading Canadian IP law firm, Bereskin & Parr LLP Intellectual Property Law. The focus was on those elements critical to formulating an intellectual property strategy for bioscience startups.
Noel Courage of Bereskin & Parr
The seminar, which took place at Planet Hatch, was followed by an engaging Q&A session and one-on-one company sessions with the presenter, Bereskin & Parr partner, Noel Courage.
A Dalhousie and Memorial University graduate, Noel has over 20 years experience working with spin-off and start-up companies, helping them to protect their IP. His practice focuses on the patenting and licensing of mechanical, chemical and biotechnology inventions.
Entitled “Building a Strong IP Foundation for Your Business“, the seminar covered topics such as:
- “Why IP is Important?“
- different types of IP – including trademarks, copyright, designs, and patents
- the concept of “Freedom to Operate” and
- what IP Agreements should look like.
Emergence Director, Martin Yuill: “Innovation in the bio economy is all about strong collaboration and partnerships”
According to Emergence Director, Martin Yuill, the growth in the number of program clients from across the Atlantic region created the demand for this type of seminar.
“Emergence is witnessing unprecedented interest from bioscience ventures across Atlantic Canada,” Yuill told us.
“This IP event that we hosted with Planet Hatch in Fredericton is a direct response to the growth in the number of Emergence clients in the region, and from New Brunswick in particular.”
Yuill shared with the seminar participants that Emergence is currently engaged in discussions with a number of potential partners across the Atlantic region with a view to expanding the incubator’s programs to local bioscience startup and scale-up ventures. “Innovation in the bio economy is all about strong collaboration and partnerships,” Yuill told the audience.
Some of the participants at the Emergence IP seminar at Planet Hatch, Fredericton
Entrevestor reports that Emergence is “producing some impressive growth metrics“.
The publication – which provides news and data on startups in key Canadian communities – reports that in the 12 months to March 31, Emergence client companies raised $48.5 million in follow-on equity financing and filed 22 new patents. Yuill adds that over the same period, Emergence clients racked up revenues of $29 million, and grew their full-time employment by 75%.
The Emergence virtual incubator supports the formation and growth of innovative bioscience and food sector ventures.
Emergence clients benefit from access to business, technical, scientific and regulatory support services customized to meet their individual needs. This includes one-on-one and team-based mentorship; third-party consulting services; market research; legal, IP, insurance, tax and financial expertise from a network of professional service provider partners; and support accessing international networks and public and private funding and investment opportunities.
A virtual (rather than physical) incubator, Emergence serves high-potential companies wherever they are located in Canada, while also providing a “soft landing” for innovative international bioscience ventures seeking to start-up or establish themselves in, or expand into, Canada.