IPIFINI provided a small publicly traded firm with a complete review and analysis of its new research and development plans at the request of the board of directors. Managers were interviewed and specific management changes were suggested. Technology plans were assessed and new technological approaches were also suggested. The firm's patent applications in this new area were analyzed, and patent claim strategies were devised. Third party patents were also reviewed, and approaches to reduce the firm's exposure to infringement by slight variation in its product were developed. The company's overall strategy was deemed to be sound, and the board of directors and potential outside partners bought in to the new direction.
A publicly traded bio-pharmaceutical firm sought licensees for a new platform technology. An IPIFINI team member was assigned to assist in business development. The technology presentation was streamlined and a new name was coined for the technology. Contacts were made with over two dozen top tier pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Databases of target companies, targeted individuals and promotional opportunities were developed. A special section in a trade conference was established to highlight the area of technology.
IPIFINI’s Innovation Team took on the challenge of developing a new proprietary packaging strategy to leverage the emergence of multiple flavor variations of soft drinks and bottled waters (e.g. lemon, lime, cherry cola or soda water) against limited shelf space. A review of the patent landscape, in concert with team ideation sessions employing IPIFINI's award winning Innovation Engine technology, lead to the development of the programmable beverage container. This idea was expanded into packaging for other foodstuffs, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other consumer items. Patent applications were filed* and the technology is under consideration by several top-tier food and beverage companies.
Link to Space Map diagram
Link to Programmable Beverage Container diagram
A publicly traded investment management firm with over $8 billion in assets under management required an analysis of potential competing products before deciding to invest in a small company. The firm also required a business assessment of the relative strength of the company's patent position. An IPIFINI team member identified several potential competitors and assessed the threat of competition from each. The company's patent portfolio was analyzed to provide a view of the present and future strength of patents covering its leading product. A report detailing all of the findings was drafted and presented to the investment firm. The report was incorporated into the firm's internal due diligence document assessing the potential investment. In addition, one of the potential competitors, first identified by the IPIFINI team member, became another candidate for a separate investment by the firm.
A stem cell company desired to widely sublicense technology to which it had an exclusive license in order to generate income and attract collaborations with big pharma. An IPIFINI team member identified over 40 different potential sublicensees and built a database of information on those licensees for the company. A detailed plan covering the renegotiation of royalty payments to the company's licensor, how to initiate contact with potential sublicensees, follow-up strategies for securing a sublicensee and suggested up front, annual and royalty payments to be charged to the sublicensee was drafted by the IPIFINI team member. The IPIFINI team member was then asked to assist the company in carrying out the plan. The sublicensing plan was launched in late September and the company has received positive feedback from several potential sublicensees.
* IPIFINI's personnel are not licensed to practice law and as such we do not offer legal advice or opinions.
