VIIN and Watermark Intellectual Asset Management have been working together to provide training and education opportunities for VIIN researchers.

Three events focusing on intellectual property and industry engagement have been co-hosted by the network and Watermark during the first half of 2016.

In February at the Lorne Infection and Immunity Conference, which is co-hosted by VIIN and the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Watermark presented a business breakfast on intellectual property. Watermark’s Special Counsel, Dr Tania Obranovich spoke about biotechnology and patentable subject matter in light of patent eligibility changes in Australia and the United States.

The breakfast was attended by Australian and international delegates of the conference.

Download and view Tania’s presentation here >

Pictured above, left to right: Dr Renee White (Watermark), Dr Tania Obranovich (Watermark) and Prof Paul Hertzog (VIIN Co-convenor) at the 2016 Lorne Infection and Immunity Conference.

In May, two workshops on 'Bridging the Gap' were hosted at the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (17 May) and the Hudson Institute of Medical Research (19 May). About 60 researchers attended the two events, which examined how researchers can better engage with industry through collaboration, contract research and commercialisation, and the role of intellectual property in supporting these relationships. At each event, Watermark’s experts provided insight into various aspects of IP, including:

- Dr Renee White, who presented on IP101
- Dr Tania Obranovich, who presented on freedom to operate
- Mr Peter Hallett and Mr Sean McGuire who presented on licencing, and
- Dr Chris Vindurampulle who assisted in chairing the sessions.

VIIN and Watermark thank VIIN contributing organisations, the Hudson Institute and Doherty Institute for supporting these events, and the following invited speakers who made special contributions to these two workshops:

- A/Prof Craig Rayner, CEO of d3 Medicine
- Dr Simon Tucker, CEO of 360biolabs
- Dr Kerry Hegarty, Business Development Director, the University of Melbourne
- Dr Stefan Harrer, Lead Brain-Inspired Computing Research, IBM Research – Australia
- Mr Rob Merriel, CFO of the Hudson Institute
- Ms Maria Harrison-Smith, IP Manager, Monash University

At the conclusion of formal presentations, networking and robust discussions about IP and engaging with industry continued over refreshments.

The Victorian Infection and Immunity Network thanks Watermark for their support of the Lorne Infection and Immunity Conference and for providing these excellent training and education opportunities for the network’s researchers.

Please follow these links to download and view presentations by Watermark’s expert speakers:

IP101 >

Freedom to Operate >