Dean Stell – The Challenge of Patents
Is it hard to get patents in the diagnostic space? Listen in as Lisa, and her guest Dean Stell discuss patents and the challenges in getting patents today. Dean Stell is the Program Director of Wake Forest Innovations in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Dean manages its technology portfolio ranging from ideation, intellectual property, out-licensing, and post-license management.
Dean has spent most of his career looking for the new fruits that come from the faculty and staff and trying to connect them with commercial parties that can bring products to the market. He shares what led him to the technology transfer field, the impressive Wake Forest Innovation Quarter, and how it has evolved into what it is today.
Dean speaks about the Bayh-Dole Act and what if any impact it has had on universities in general and what changes he would like to see made to the act in the future. Dean and Lisa chat about the patent, litigations, and Intellectual Property rights and the issues they have had with subject matter eligibility.
Have you heard of the Vacuum-Assisted Wound-Closure Device called V.A.C.? Listen, as Dean talks about the invention and the litigation that surrounded the device. Dean speaks about Know-how licensing, how it is used, and what it covers. Dean shares some of his office’s biggest success stories, most significant challenges, and the lack of programs for women inventors and entrepreneurs. He also chats about organizations like AUTM and how vital their Salary Survey is for people in this unique field.
Dean has been in the Tech Transfer field for a long time and has seen many changes in his time and has probably forgotten more than most people will ever learn, so If you are searching for someone with knowledge in this field, look no further, this is the episode for you.
In This Episode:
[01:24] Welcome to the show, Dean!
[01:34] Dean shares a little about what led him to technology transfer.
[03:28] Dean summarizes the mission statement of Wake Forest Innovations.
[04:20] He describes the impressive Wake Forest Innovation Quarter and the journey to what it is today.
[07:42] How many businesses are in the quarter?
[08:37] Dean speaks about his office that is housed out of an old power plant building.
[10:38] Dean shares what impact the Bayh-Dole Act has had on the innovation in the U.S. and universities in general.
[11:59] Are there any changes you would like to see happen to the Bayh-Dole Act?
[13:24] Dean speaks about the patent process and what effect the A.I.A. has on their office’s approach to patents.
[15:58] Dean said they haven’t had to deal with as many litigations on Intellectual Property rights as he thought they would.
[18:22] Dean shares the issues they have with subject matter eligibility.
[19:14] Are you having any luck getting patents in the diagnostic space?
[21:04] Dean speaks about the healing product called V.A.C., which was the subject of litigation.
[23:06] He chats about how much the device made and being prepared with projections if they were approached by royalty buyout companies.
[25:35] Have you seen instances where the patent did not cover the product, but a Know-how provision covered it?
[26:17] Dean shares different challenges with licensing Know-how and what it covers.
[28:35] Dean believes that Wake Forest is here to do research education and patient care.
[29:32] When it comes to licensing transactions, looking back, is there anything you would have done differently? Can you give us examples?
[32:53] Dean shares some examples of his office’s biggest success stories.
[35:36] Dean chats about having some things that have promise coming down the queue.
[37:24] What would you say are the top two challenges your office faces?
[39:36] Dean states that Wake Forest does not have any programs that encourage or assist women inventors and entrepreneurs.
[40:32] Do you see very many women in startups? Do you see any issues in getting women startups funding?
[42:22] Dean speaks about the roles of organizations like AUTM.
[44:23] He says that the AUTM Salary Survey is very useful, and it can help retain employees.
[46:52] How do you feel about credentialing? Do you think it is useful?
[49:17] If you had three wishes, what would you want for Wake Forest in the future?
[50:53] Dean, thank you for your time and insights!
[51:25] Please visit us at techtransferipforum.com
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