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1. Idea / Research Project
MediTeam’s experienced specialists perform fast and accurate assessment of any idea or research project within Life Science.
The Danish law (L347) from 2000, covering discoveries made in public institutions, assigns the responsibility for patenting and commercialisation to the universities’ Tech Trans offices.
Since Tech Trans offices are evaluated on the number of license deals, whereas the researchers are evaluated on the number of publications, it is in everyone’s interest that the commercial potential of a project is assessed as quickly as possible.
MediTeam’s key competences within project evaluation are:
- In-depth understanding of the technology and the field (considerable research experiences)
- Continued close contacts to the research community and knowledge of new developments
- Trusted and well-thought of in the research community
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2. Market Analysis
We recommend analyses of the market and the competitive situation prior to the initiation of a patenting process to save time and money as well as disappointments.
If a limited market with many competitors is found, an alternative strategy can be chosen. In this case, the possibilities of a technology license and/or a co-operation contract should be explored.
If you choose not to patent, results can be published immediately, and it is important to the researcher that this takes place as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Also, Tech Trans offices may benefit by aiding the publication process and assist with grant applications, since it will help to ensure a continued good co-operation and presentation of new projects from the research team.
MediTeam offers professional assistance with:
- Speedy and qualified market analyses
- Scientific texts in Danish and English, including
- Articles for major journals
- Finalisation and corrections
- Grant applications
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3. FtO-analysis
If the market analysis indicates that patenting is warranted, a News Search and FtO-analysis (Freedom to Operate-analysis), which is quickly done, will show if the field is covered by closely related patents.
If the possibility to explore a patent is limited by IP owned by others, it may be advantageous to save the costs of patenting and to choose a technology license and/or a co-operation contract.
MediTeam has via network co-operations access to all relevant databases and can perform a quick and qualified FtO-analysis for any Life Science project, employing:
- Experts with scientific degrees within almost all Life Science fields.
In addition the experts have:
- In-depth understanding of the technology and the field
- Continued close contacts to the research community and knowledge of new developments
- Relevant search words are generated by the responsible expert, but are always checked with the research team prior to initiation of the search
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4. Patenting
If the market and the FtO analysis indicate that a patent is warranted, it will be necessary to involve a patent agency to write and file the application.
In order to maximise the patent coverage, and at the same time minimising the time used, it is important to choose a patent agency with an in-depth knowledge of the field.
MediTeam co-operates with a number of patent agencies who specialise in Life Science and can therefore choose the right one in each case.
MediTeam keeps track of the entire process and ensures that:
- An optimal application is written and filed quickly
- The patent has the best possible coverage and the costs are as low as possible
- A good continuous communication takes place between the patent agency and the research team
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5. Partner Analysis
Concurrently with the patent process it is advantageous as early as at this stage to identify potential partners for the project. Remaining patent protection is an important parameter for a potential partner, as it helps to maximise the possibility of reaching the market before the patent expires. In addition, finding a partner for the project as soon as possible increases the chance of the licensee taking over the patent costs before they become too high.
It is important to decide early on the content of an optimal agreement. The tendency is towards increasingly flexible deals, and good possibilities exist for other types than the “bread-and-butter” licence deal with up-front, milestones and royalties. One example, which may be attractive to the research team, is a co-operation deal where both parties work on the project and share results.
MediTeam can assist with the partner analysis as well as deciding on the optimal strategy, based upon:
- In-depth understanding of the technology and the field
- Continued close contacts to the research community and knowledge of new developments
- In-depth knowledge of international players within pharma, biotech and diagnostics
- Extensive network of CROs and strategic analysts within the pre-clinical and clinical fields
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6. Licensing Contract
Negotiating of a license contract is often a long process that should start as soon as the patent has been filed.
Even if the right potential partner company has been identified, it can be very difficult to create interest for the project in the company and to identify the right contact person. If the wrong person or the wrong presentation has been chosen, even a promising project may be lost, and a second chance is rarely given.
To reach the optimal agreement is challenging and requires prior preparation of a “wish list” as well as flexibility in the negotiations.
MediTeam is the ideal choice to head negotiations:
- Long experience and a good ”track record”
- In-depth knowledge of international players within pharma, biotech and diagnostics
- Large international network within the relevant companies
- Positive and fast identification of the correct contact in the company
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7. Project Management
Once the agreement has been signed, the real work starts. Whether it is a standard license contract or a joint development contract, if momentum is not ensured the project will grind to a halt. The best outcome requires continuous contact and knowledge sharing.
Project Management is an important, but time consuming task, which is often neglected. A dedicated project manager looks after all the practical details and ensures a positive dialogue between the partners. Researchers as well as company employees are very busy, which makes it difficult to find the necessary resources for project management. Unfortunately this causes a less than optimal path for many projects.
An external project manager allows researchers time and peace to concentrate on research and the company employees’ time and peace to do other important tasks.
MediTeam offers project management of any licensing contract:
- Extensive experience in management of complex projects
- In-depth knowledge of and experiences with research and business
- Fast elimination of misunderstandings based on knowledge of both ”languages”
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