Program Overview

Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy and Management

This course is part of the UBC Micro-certificate in Innovation Leadership: Medical & Bio-Innovations. It is designed to equip learners with critical knowledge and skills to manage intellectual property (IP) effectively in the context of Canada's bioeconomy and beyond.

Course Description

The strategic management of intellectual property (IP) is a pivotal component of innovation, competitive advantage, and business success in the bioeconomy. This ten-week course focuses on practical application, demystifying IP strategy and making it accessible to professionals looking to protect their innovations, navigate patent laws, and leverage IP for significant business development and fundraising.

Course Outline

• Week 1: Introduction to Intellectual Property
  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of the basic concepts and principles of intellectual property (IP).
  • Learn about the various types of IP, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, and their role in protecting innovations.
• Week 2: Patent Fundamentals and Eligibility
  • Deepen your understanding of patents, starting from the basics of patentability to the intricacies of global patent laws and the filing process.
• Week 3: Patent Filing and Prosecution
  • Focus on the critical processes of patent filing and prosecution, providing a comprehensive understanding of their types and significance.
• Week 4: IP Strategy Development
  • Dive into the process of developing effective IP strategies tailored for the biotech sector.
• Week 5: Technology Transfer and Licensing
  • Delve into the concepts of technology transfer and licensing, essential for promoting technology development and growth in the biotech sector.
• Week 6: Entrepreneurship, Business Model Development, and Commercialization Aspects of IP
  • Explore the entrepreneurship and commercialization aspects of IP in the biotech sector, focusing on IP valuation, business model development, and practical insights into company formation.
• Week 7: Ethics and AI in IP Management
  • Delve into the ethics of using AI in innovation and IP management, exploring ethical dilemmas and the balance between innovation, public welfare, and access.
• Week 8: Regulatory Compliance, Clinical Trials, and Global IP Management
  • Explore the interconnection between regulatory compliance, clinical trials, and IP management, focusing on how they collectively influence the design, execution, and growth of biotech companies globally.
• Week 9: Collaborations and Partnerships in IP Management
  • Explore the nuances of managing intellectual property within collaborations and partnerships.
• Week 10: Capstone Project and Course Wrap-up
  • The final week features a blended workshop, designed to integrate and apply the knowledge participants have accumulated throughout the course.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of:

• Assignments
• Weekly reflections
• Participation in live Q&A sessions
• Quizzes
• Engagement in online discussion forums
• The execution of a capstone project

Technology Requirements

To take this program, you need access to:

• An email account
• A computer, laptop, or tablet
• The latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
• A reliable internet connection
• A video camera and microphone

Course Format

This part-time blended course is instructor-supported and combines real-time online sessions with independent study. In Week 10, there is a blended workshop at the UBC Vancouver campus. The workshop is also accessible online, allowing remote learners to actively participate.

Expected Effort

Expect to spend 1 – 2.5 hours per week completing all learning activities, including attending real-time online sessions and attending the blended workshop (5 hours).

Learner Evaluation

• Live session participation: 10%
• Discussion participation: 20%
• Quizzes: 20%
• Reflection assignments: 20%
• Capstone project: 30%

Related Courses

• Unmet Needs in Healthcare: Strategy and Solutions
• UBC Micro-certificate in Innovation Leadership: Medical and Bio-Innovations - Information Session