IP Talk Episode 56: At the Intersection of Biotech and AI with Janice Vatland

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is impacting nearly everything in society these days, including the world of biotechnology and life sciences.

In this episode of IP Talk with Wolf Greenfield, Janice Vatland, a Shareholder in Wolf Greenfield's Biotechnology practice, explains why IP protection is essential for turning groundbreaking discoveries that utilize AI into lasting business value.

With nearly 25 years of experience, Janice works with clients of all sizes, including universities, start-ups, and small to mid-sized companies. She also serves as Chair of Wolf Greenfield’s PTO Practice Committee.

Here are a few highlights from the conversation:

• 00:58 - Janice describes her practice at Wolf Greenfield

• 01:57 - The factors that led Janice from her work in science to IP law

• 05:25 - Janice explains how AI is being used in biotech today

• 06:51 - AI systems cannot be listed as inventors, and that creates challenges for companies using AI

• 08:05 - Additional issues with AI that companies need to be mindful of

• 10:54 - Companies are eager to use AI to gain a competitive advantage

• 11:53 - Key IP protection considerations for companies using AI

• 13:16 - As patents on AI-derived drugs become more common, new legal challenges may arise as companies seek to defend their portfolios

• 16:49 - With science, technology, and AI all moving and changing so quickly, it’s critical for companies to constantly be monitoring and updating their IP strategies