Press Releases

CHICAGO - Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., will host a complimentary half-day seminar entitled “IP Strategies for Exploiting Research Tools and Exploratory Research” in conjunction with the 6th Annual Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization and Burrill & Company’s Midwest Life Sciences Meeting at the iBIO Marketplace, on November 1, 2005, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Room 201 of the Navy Pier Convention Center, Chicago, Illinois.

The lifeblood of a life sciences company is its intellectual property. Recent decisions at the Supreme Court and Federal Circuit drastically impact the protection of early stage biotech innovations. Against this backdrop, participants will learn practical approaches for identifying early stage biotech innovations, determining whether and how to protect them. The seminar conducted by Brinks, a Gold Sponsor of iBIO Marketplace, will also cover a wide range of important topics relating to protecting, patenting and licensing new inventions as well as tips on attracting investors and valuing a patent portfolio and is designed to provide attendees from companies of all sizes and backgrounds with outstanding information and networking opportunities. Also featured is a presentation by G. Steven Burrill, recognized by Scientific American magazine as one of the architects of the biotechnology industry and a biotech investment visionary.

The Brinks seminar is free of charge; however, space is limited and attendance is by prior registration only. For further information, contact Ann Marie Rice at (312) 321-4200 or amrice@brinkshofer.com or visit the Web site at http://www.brinkshofer.com/event.cfm?event_id=79.

The schedule of presentations and speakers is as follows:

1:30 p.m. Identifying Inventions on Research Tools: Should you Patent?
Kenneth Levin, MBA, PhD, Deputy Director, University of Chicago

2:00 p.m. Strategic and Tactical Considerations for Protecting IP 
Donald J. Silvert, Ph.D., Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

2:30 p.m. Licenses, Joint Ventures and Other Agreements to Commercialize your 
Technology
Jeffery M. Duncan, Esq., Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

3:15 p.m. Experimental Use Exemptions: Common Law and 271 
C. Noel Kaman, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

3.45 p.m. Claim Construction and Written Description at the Federal Circuit: Biotech 
Impacts
K. Shannon Mrksich, Ph.D., Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

4.15 p.m. Valuing Your Patent Portfolio - What Attracts the Early Investor? 
G. Steven Burrill, CEO, Burrill & Co.

5:00 p.m. Questions and Open Discussion

iBIO is a regional community of leaders from the public, private and academic sectors whose mission is to build recognition of Illinois and the Midwest as one of the world’s great life sciences center, making important contributions to the health and wellbeing of people worldwide. iBIO is also the Illinois affiliate of the national BIO organization based in Washington, D.C.

Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago with three other offices across the country and serves the intellectual property needs of clients from around the world. The firm is one of the largest IP law firms in the country, with more than 150 attorneys, scientific advisors and patent agents who specialize in all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret and Internet work, unfair competition, technology and licensing agreements, intellectual asset management and intellectual property litigation.