Intellectual Property Management in the Health Sector

Host: Sandra Rotman Centre for Health Sector Strategy

Co-Hosts: Creative Destruction Lab and Centre for Entrepreneurship | University of Toronto

Alberto Galasso, Anthony S. Fell Chair in New Technologies and Commercialization, Professor of Strategic Management, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

Melanie Rowand, Intellectual Property Lawyer and Patent Agent, Torys LLP

Karen Temple, Senior Commercialization Manager, Innovations and Partnerships Office, University of Toronto

Robert Shapiro, Head of Strategy and Chief of Staff to the President of International, Apotex

Intellectual Property (IP) rights are critical assets for firms in the health sector. This session is designed to provide executives, entrepreneurs, and students with practical insights into accessing university-held patents, building a strong IP portfolio, and implementing effective IP management strategies. Join us for a panel discussion featuring experts in healthcare and life sciences innovation, IP law, and commercialization.

Alberto Galasso, Anthony S. Fell Chair in New Technologies and Commercialization, Professor of Strategic Management, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

Alberto is a Professor of Strategic Management at the University of Toronto, where he holds the Anthony S. Fell Chair in New Technologies and Commercialization. He is Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). He serves as co-editor for the Journal of Economics and Management Strategy, as associate editor for the Journal of Industrial Economics and the International Journal of Industrial Organization, and as member of the editorial board for the Strategic Management Journal. His research agenda focuses on the determinants of innovative activity, the management of innovation and the functioning of markets for technology. Alberto is the author of the Management of Innovation (University of Toronto Press).

Melanie Rowand, Intellectual Property Lawyer and Patent Agent, Torys LLP

Melanie is a scientist and lawyer who practices exclusively in the areas of intellectual property and regulatory law, with a special focus in health sciences, including the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. Melanie provides strategic advice on intellectual property and regulatory issues, including advising clients on how to identify, protect, and leverage their IP and regulatory assets and dovetail their IP and regulatory strategy. Melanie’s experience includes drafting, filing and prosecuting patent applications, advising on transactions involving intellectual property, and advising on the acquisition, validity and infringement of intellectual property rights. Melanie also provides strategic advice on regulatory issues in the pharmaceutical sector (including patent listing, data protection, and PMPRB issues). Melanie has written and spoken extensively regarding IP and regulatory issues, including providing workshops on how to develop an IP strategy for biotech start-ups.

Karen Temple, Senior Commercialization Manager, Innovations and Partnerships Office, University of Toronto

Karen is a Senior Commercialization Manager in the Innovations and Partnerships Office at the University of Toronto where she works with university researchers and entrepreneurs to develop their intellectual property and derisk their technologies’ business value. Karen has a unique vantage point from 20+ years experience working with growing technology companies from start-up ventures to large corporations. Over the years, she has held a number of technology and business development roles, including securing early-stage investment to finance growth opportunities, and implementing strategies to validate technology/product/market fit. Karen has a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Toronto, is a co-inventor on two patents, and serves as on the Board of the Licensing Executive Society USA & Canada.

Robert Shapiro, Head of Strategy and Chief of Staff to the President of International, Apotex

Robert is a strategic business leader with a track record for developing and executing on corporate strategy. Robert complements business acumen with 15 years as a lawyer specializing in IP. Robert is a chemist, a US and Canadian licensed lawyer, and has an MBA from the Rotman executive program – in all, Robert has 5 degrees with 3 of them from U of T. Robert is recognized as a consistent Top Performer, an innovative growth strategist, and has the skill for influencing others at all levels. Robert is currently Head of Strategy and Chief of Staff to the President of International at Apotex, a Canadian-based Global Health Company and in a prior role, managed a portfolio of over 700 drugs. Outside of work, Robert is a triathlete and marathon runner, loves to camp in the wilderness, a big sports fan and his favourite job is being the father to his 3 boys.

This event is available to attend in-person.

Rotman Events is committed to accessibility for all people. If you have any access needs or if there are any ways we can support your full participation in this session, please email [[email protected]] no later than 2 weeks in advance of the event and we will be glad to work with you to make the appropriate arrangements.

• The event will be hosted in Desautels Hall at the Rotman School of Management (105 Saint George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3E6).

• Refunds will only be issued for cancellations received in writing NO LATER than 24 hours prior to the event. Please email [email protected] for processing.

Questions: [email protected]

Event Venue

Rotman School of Management, 105 Saint George Street, Toronto, Canada