Why the intellectual property protection is important?
Intellectual property protection was the topic of the lectures held on June 16 in our institute's lecture hall. Researchers from HUN-REN Center and KOKI and the patent attorney of the EGIS pharmaceutical company presented practical examples of patent criteria and the steps involved in the process, and also shared their experiences gained during patent proceedings.
The program was opened by Dr. Patrícia Sári, Innovation Manager of the Innovation Department at the HUN-REN Center, who presented the most important industrial property protection concepts and applicable legislation in her presentation.
This was followed by presentations from researchers at our institute who are experienced in patenting, who spoke about their inventions, which they have submitted for industrial property protection in the hope of their potential economic and social benefits.
Dr. Krisztina Kovács, head of the Molecular Neuroendocrinology Research Group, presented the results of their research on lactic acid bacteria belonging to the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum taxonomic unit. In vivo experiments with mice confirmed the positive effect of this bacterium on the fertility of male animals (Balázs Juhász et al., DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-73216-y). Prior to publishing their scientific results, they submitted Hungarian and international patent applications for the invention in collaboration with Zymbiosys Kft. In the presentation, she drew the researchers' attention to the fact that the expertise of the patent attorney entrusted with the case is of paramount importance in the successful patenting process, as their role is indispensable in the preparation of the patent application and the formulation of responses to the decisions of the patent offices, complementing the inventor's knowledge of the invention.
Dr. Balázs Gereben, head of the Molecular Cell Metabolism Research Group, gave a presentation entitled "Measuring the effects of thyroid hormone (TH) in mice and humans." The research projects are being carried out in close collaboration with Dr. Csaba Fekete, head of the Integrative Neuroendocrinology Research Group.
Thyroid hormones play a critically important role in regulating metabolism, but measuring the effect of PMH on tissues remains an unsolved problem. To help solve this scientific problem, the researchers created the THAI (Thyroid Hormone Action Indicator) transgenic mouse model, which is easy to use in animal experiments and can serve as an effective tool for the rapid and precise detection of tissue thyroid hormone (TH) signaling.
The "THAI" mouse model is a PMH signaling indicator system that uses a synthetic gene construct to enable the measurement of PMH signaling in live animals, as changes in the level of a reporter protein called luciferase indicate the level of PMH signaling. In addition to testing drug compounds targeting the PMH system, the THAI model is also suitable for identifying side effects affecting the PMH system. Transgenic mice can also be used to study the effects of endocrine disruptors, certain environmental pollutants that damage the endocrine system.
The researchers have also developed a non-invasive diagnostic system that can be used in human medicine, for which patent protection is currently being sought.
The speaker presented the patenting strategy that succeeded in obtaining patent protection for the THAI mouse model in Hungary and several other countries. Dr. Balázs Gereben emphasized that patenting does not preclude publication. With careful planning and proper timing, both can be achieved.
Dr. Gergely Szalay, a researcher in the Neural Network and Dendritic Activity Research Group, presented the process of creating a virtual reality system optimized for mice, called Moculus. The system was developed in collaboration with the BrainVisionCenter Research Institute and Competence Center, under the leadership of Dr. Gergely Dobos. One of the most important areas of brain research is the study of learning mechanisms. The newly created Moculus significantly accelerates the understanding of visual learning mechanisms. It also helps to achieve more reliable results by providing a realistic experience for mice through 3D projection. Since the invention primarily contributes to understanding the functioning of the visual cortex, it also plays an important role in exploring the possibilities of visual restoration in the cerebral cortex. Domestic and international patent applications have been filed for the invention, and patents have already been granted in Hungary and several countries. Obtaining a patent is essential for the sale of the finished product.
Dr. György Morovján, head of the patent department at Egis Gyógyszergyár Zrt., introduced the audience to the types of drug patents that arise during drug development and compared them: product types, processes for the production of active ingredients/preparations, or diagnostic/therapeutic processes. In his presentation, he also discussed the possibilities for enforcing and exploiting drug patents after they have been obtained.
The closing presentation was given by the program organizer, Dr. Zsuzsanna Winkler, innovation manager at HUN-REN KOKI. She chose the topic that seemed most important to the audience and, based on the institute's intellectual property management policy, explained the process of filing invention disclosures at the research facility.
The questions and comments from the participants indicate that similar events will be needed from time to time in the future, as will Zsuzsi Winkler's expert assistance in preparing patent applications. We would like to thank her for her successful work so far and for organizing the event!