Intellectual Property: The Early Decisions That Shape Your Startup

Event description
What should you patent, what should you keep secret, and what should you clarify before spinning out of academia?

Join Nucleate Netherlands for an afternoon exploring the hidden intellectual property decisions that can shape the future of a biotech startup. Together with selected experts from the field, we will discuss common early patent mistakes, practical lessons, and what founders, investors, patent experts, and technology transfer offices look for when academic science starts moving towards company creation.

The event will include an engaging and light-hearted EP&C talk on early patent mistakes, a curated panel discussion on “The Hidden IP Decisions That Shape a Biotech Startup’s Future,” an audience Q&A, networking drinks, and optional 1:1 sessions with EP&C patent attorneys. The 1:1 sessions are completely free of charge. Places are limited and must be requested when signing up for the event.

Who should join?

This event is for PhD students, postdocs, students, researchers, aspiring life sciences and biotech founders, early-stage startup teams, and other trainees curious about how intellectual property affects the journey from academic discovery to biotech company.

Meet the Speakers & Panellists

Dr. Daphne Huberts — Dutch and European Patent Attorney at EP&C

Holding a PhD in molecular sciences and over a decade of academic and industry experience (including as an in-house IP specialist at Bejo Zaden), Daphne helps biotech founders align patent strategy directly with business goals. She will share practical lessons on early patent decisions based on her core principle: "Patent with purpose, always let your business plan guide your IP decisions."

Dr. Pieter van Bokhoven — Head of Valorization at Amsterdam Neuroscience & Managing Director of Amsterdam UMC Candidate Center

Pieter oversees technology transfer and drug screening operations. He will discuss how investors and Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) evaluate academic IP during due diligence and how early decisions affect a startup’s ability to secure funding and spin out.

Niek Savelkoul — Founder & Former CEO of Scope Biosciences

Founder of a Wageningen University & Research spin-out, Niek brings a first-hand founder’s perspective on transitioning academic research into a biotech company. He will share practical insights into early IP licensing trade-offs and crucial founder decisions.

Dr. Irene Smit — Independent Innovation Advisor in Food & Health

With a PhD in Chemistry and 30+ years of innovation and IP strategy experience in FMCG organizations, Irene brings a corporate and partner perspective. She will cover how industry players evaluate IP portfolios, how thoughtful experimental design demonstrates novelty and inventive step, and how to approach patent attorneys with confidence.

Program*

14:30 — Welcome from Nucleate Netherlands and UtrechtInc
14:45 — EP&C talk: Patent mistakes biotech startups make early
15:15 — Coffee break
15:30 — Panel: The Hidden IP Decisions That Shape a Biotech Startup’s Future (panellists TBA)
16:15 — Audience Q&A
16:30 — Networking drinks and optional 1:1 EP&C clinic sessions
17:30 — End of event

*The program is subject to change.

Important Parking Notice: Please do not park in the lot directly in front of the UtrechtInc building; it is private property and unauthorized vehicles are frequently wheel clamped.

About the Host:

Nucleate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of biotech leaders. With chapters spanning 41 geographic regions and participation from over 280 academic institutions, Nucleate sparks new intellectual communities and embeds emerging talent within a global biotech community. Through open-access educational programming, Nucleate helps democratize biotech innovation — removing barriers and helping founders concentrate on building transformational technologies. Visit www.nucleate.org for more information, and visit https://nucleate.org/privacy-policy/ to read our privacy policy.

We want to thank our HQ supporters for championing our open-access mission and empowering the next generation of biotech entrepreneurs!

Platinum: Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, MilliporeSigma

Silver: Sanofi, CDD Vault

Philanthropic Support: Lyda Hill Philanthropies

Preferred Partners: Pillar VC, Amino Collective, Fenwick, Excedr, Mercury, Brex, Fedsprout, Browne Consulting

In-Kind Support: AcademicLabs, Lens.org