Protecting and Defending Inventions in the Microbiome Space: Challenges and Strategies

Counsel Olga A. Partington, Ph.D. will give a presentation titled “Protecting and Defending Inventions in the Microbiome Space: Challenges and Strategies” at the 7th Microbiome & Probiotics R&D & Business Collaboration Forum: Europe on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 9:15 a.m. EST. She will also host a roundtable discussion on the same topic.

Presentation Overview

A robust and defensible intellectual property (IP) estate can be the cornerstone of an innovative company’s value. As businesses operating in the microbiome space move more into mainstream commerce, a proactive approach to IP protection is imperative. Strategies for patent protection in this space can differ from the traditional small-molecule and antibodies-based inventions. In addition, the choice between patent protection versus trade secret can make or break the company’s IP value. This talk will address the unique challenges and nuanced strategies associated with obtaining IP protection in the microbiome space in the United States. The discussion will also provide strategies for obtaining patent portfolios better positioned to withstand the scrutiny of inevitable post-issuance challenges.