The IPCC Spring conference will feature many educational and informative sessions. Please see the schedule at a glance for more information on the program topics, speakers and exciting networking events you can expect in Palm Springs. Full program coming soon!

Spring 2020 Featured Sessions

Successful Navigation through Priority Pitfalls in Europe and the U.S. 

Sponsored by df-mp Dörries Frank-Molnia & Pohlman

Intact priority claims are vitally important to patent validity. The right to claim priority is established by the Paris Convention, which states that any person who has filed a patent application, or his successor in title, shall enjoy a right of priority.  The relevant provisions of the PCT, EPC, and US Patents Act are based on this, but the Paris Convention does not set out in detail which law should be applied, and how to determine whether succession in title has validly occurred. Proper assignments are a condition sine qua non for obtaining valid foreign as well as domestic priority rights. A decision by the Supreme Court  of the United States on June 6, 2011 (Stanford v Roche ) had a great impact on the interpretation of the Bayh-Dole act, as well as on assignment practice in general. One of the early foundational CRISPR cases, jointly held by the Broad Institute, MIT and Harvard has been revoked recently in a most high profile appeal at the EPO because of priority issues (T844/18). We provide a practical discussion to help avoiding potential problems in this regard.


Moderator:

  • Dr. Ulrich Doerries, Partner, df-mp Dörries Frank-Molnia & Pohlman

Speakers:

  • Dr Elisabeth Greiner, Partner, df-mp Dörries Frank-Molnia & Pohlman

 

When you Come to a Fork in the Road, Take it: Simultaneous ex-US Opposition and US Litigation

Sponsored by Foley Hoag LLP

This session will focus on the various patent strategies that patent practitioners should consider in ex-US jurisdictions, particularly when a US litigation is ongoing or anticipated.  We will dive into the post-grant challenges outside of the US and what practitioners should consider to avoid or fight such challenges.    

Moderator:

  • Hathaway Russell, Partner, Foley Hoag LLP

 

The Day After Brexit: Impact of Brexit on Patent Practice in Europe
Sponsored by McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP
 

This panel will discuss the effect of Brexit on European patents granted in the United Kingdom and pending or new applications in the European Patent Office.  The panel will also discuss the effect of the Brexit on the Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court.  The panel will further discuss the effect of Brexit on supplementary protection certificates (SPCs).  Finally, the panel will discuss the impact of Brexit on U.K. biopharma innovation.

Moderator:

  • Donald Zuhn, Partner, McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

Speakers:

  • Charlotte Teall, Partner, Forresters IP LLP

 

Navigating the Minefield of IP Licensing
Sponsored by WilmerHale
 

This panel will explore the complexities of IP licensing of evolving biotechnologies.  Through a discussion of the collaboration and licensing issues that may arise where the underlying intellectual property to be practiced or incorporated is part of a broader platform and/or is obtained from multiple sources, the panel will provide insight into and practical advice for licensing complex biotechnology, such as companion diagnostics, immune oncology and gene therapies.

Moderator:

  • Chris Noyes, Intellectual Property Litigation Partner, WilmerHale 

Speaker:

  • Steve Barrett, Co-Chair, Technology Transactions and Licensing Practice Group, WilmerHale


*As of March 3, 2020.

Statement of Diversity

BIO is committed to workforce development, diversity, and inclusion, and incorporates these values into all aspects of BIO operations. Program development for BIO’s events will be considered in this light, with specific attention paid to speakers’ gender, race, ethnic background, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as well as their company’s focus, financing, geographic location, and size.  Diverse programming at BIO’s events allows BIO to remain a strong leader in efforts to ensure that the biotechnology industry can attract, develop, and retain a high-quality, globally competitive employee talent pool. Learn more about Workforce Development, Diversity, & Inclusion at BIO.