EPO participates in high-level conference on biotechnology innovation to mark Poland’s EU Presidency

EPO Vice-President Steve Rowan delivers an opening address in Krakow on 20 May at the conference “Biotechnological Innovation for a Sustainable Future”. Photo: The Chancellery of the Prime Minister / PAP S.A.

To mark Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Polish Patent Office hosted a high-level IP conference on biotechnology in Krakow on 20 and 21 May. In a welcome address, EPO Vice-President Steve Rowan congratulated the country on its efforts to support innovation and emphasised the importance of European co-operation, in particular on the Unitary Patent system. The EPO also contributed to discussions on patenting in the field of plant-related biotechnology.

EPO Vice-President Patent Granting Process Steve Rowan delivered a keynote address at a high-level European conference in Krakow to mark the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The event, titled “Biotechnological Innovation for a Sustainable Future”, was organised by the Polish Patent Office (PPO) and brought together representatives from EU member states, national and regional patent offices, industry, academia and IP experts.​ During his visit, the EPO Vice-President also held a bilateral meeting with the newly appointed PPO President Ewa Skrzydło-Tefelska.

Call for European unity in innovation

In his address, Vice-President Rowan commended the PPO and its staff for their contributions to innovation, emphasising the importance of European co-operation in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future through a shared innovation agenda: “Now more than ever, we must unite behind the shared mission of strengthening European competitiveness.”

Unitary Patent: a catalyst for European competitiveness

The EPO Vice-President also stressed the strategic role of the Unitary Patent system, referring to Mario Draghi’s report on the future of European competitiveness. The report shows that challenges such as market fragmentation, regulatory barriers, and underinvestment in R&D have hindered Europe’s ability to harness key technologies and compete globally.

Describing the Draghi report as a “wake-up call”, he noted its recommendation that all EU member states join the Unitary Patent system. Currently comprising 18 countries, the system offers a cost-effective option for patent protection and dispute resolution across Europe. He drew attention to the figures for Polish innovators, who are already at the forefront in adopting the system, now requesting unitary protection for more than 50% of their granted European patents – well above the EU average.

Fostering a sustainable IP framework for biotechnology

The EPO also participated in a panel discussion on biotechnology, focusing on the legal framework needed to support sustainable innovation in this sector. The session provided an opportunity to present the EPO‘s well-established approach to the patenting of plant-related inventions. It was emphasised that the EPO continually monitors technological and societal developments to ensure that the European patent system remains adaptable enough to accommodate those while continuing to provide legal certainty.

The discussion underscored the importance of patents for innovation, competitiveness and sustainability in agriculture – extending beyond plant production methods and plants. The use of digital technologies, particularly AI, was noted as becoming increasingly important in agriculture in areas such as crop management, yield optimisation, crop monitoring, and early detection of plant diseases. Protecting these inventions through patents supports efforts to advance food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.