SME case studies
The EPO has produced a series of case studies on European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which are leveraging the power of patents and other IP rights to achieve business success. SMEs from different countries, operating in different industries and technology sectors, were interviewed about their IP strategies and underlying business models. The resulting case studies illustrate how new and established SMEs have developed the IP management capabilities they need, and how they are using IP to their advantage.
Case studies
- Damae Medical (medical devices - France)
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A new dimension to skin cancer diagnosis
- Exercise caution in defining joint IP arrangements with supply partners, as this can dilute value for both parties and create unnecessary dependencies
- Align the geographical scope of patent protection with your long-term marketing strategy
- Secure appropriate funding that enables you to prioritise long-term strategies with high potential over limited short-term gains with lower risk
- Use patents and scientific publications to significantly enhance your company’s reputation, but pursue a strategy that avoids unintentional disclosures
Company Details
Medical devices
Location: France
Main Product: Advanced medical imaging system
Business Model: Product sales and related services
Advanced medical imaging system Founded by a team of photonics researchers, the company has taken a patented technology with applications in biological and medical imaging and used it to create a new medical device for the real-time diagnosis of melanoma, including skin cancer. A strong IP portfolio helps the company to ensure technological exclusivity and secure a lasting advantage over competitors.
Type of material Download Case study Damae Medical (EN) (PDF) Review article Creating IP for impact: Three EPO case studies (EN) - Marinomed (biotechnology - Austria)
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Using red algae to fight the flu
- Flexible licensing models increase the chances of creating win-win situations.
- Involving an IP specialist early in the R&D stage can improve patent protection for subsequent commercial applications.
- Negotiation is the preferred way to solve potential infringement issues; litigation is regarded as a last resort.
- Trade marks can add value to patents and extend protection beyond the life of the patent.
Company Details
Biotechnology
Location: Austria
Main Product: Anti-viral technologies
Business Model: Technology licensing
As a drug discovery company, Marinomed relies heavily on patents. Its inventions are validated in almost 100 countries. The company actively manages and enforces its IP portfolio, which also includes some trade marks. Exploitation of its IP is based on two main licensing models.
Type of material Download Case study Marinomed (EN) Marinomed (DE) Book chapter IP for investors (EN) - Orcan (electrical machinery, apparatus, energy - Germany)
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Recycling waste heat to cool down the planet
- University spin-offs need access to the relevant IP early on.
- Patent attorneys must understand the invention and the company's business case.
- Patents help to communicate a company's technical advantage and innovation skills.
- Access to joint inventions without joint patent ownership can be achieved using cross-licensing agreements.
Company Details
Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
Location: Germany
Main Product: Waste heat power generators
Business Model: Product sales
This former university spin-off sells standard components for heat power generators that recycle waste heat by turning it into electricity. Early acquisition of university patents was vital in order to attract funding. Orcan co-operates with other companies, but simplifies its patent management by avoiding joint ownership.
Type of material Download Case study Orcan Energy (EN) Orcan Energy (DE) Book chapter From spin-out to international player (EN) - Aerogen (medical technology - Ireland)
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Breathing new life into aerosol drug delivery
- Customers, investors and partners consider it very important for a young company to have strong IP.
- Company scale-up must go hand in hand with IP portfolio-building.
- To successfully commercialise innovative technologies, IP strategy must be clearly laid out and closely aligned with other key business functions.
- Competitor watches and patent searches are essential components of IP management.
Company Details
Medical technology
Location: Ireland
Main Product: Nebulisers
Business Model: Product sales, technology licensing
When a company transforms from a small start-up to a global leader in aerosol technology for drug delivery in acute care, its strategic partners must be able to rely on the quality and protection of the products on offer. Key to addressing this challenge is a strong patent portfolio protecting both the core technology as well as a diverse range of product applications.
Type of material Download Case study Aerogen (EN) Aerogen (DE) Aerogen (FR) - Cosmed (medical technology - Italy)
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At the cutting edge of cardiopulmonary diagnostics
- It is essential to take both internal and external influences on the patent portfolio into account.
- In-depth prior art searches must be conducted early in the creative process and then professionally verified during the patenting procedures.
- External expertise and support is important for obtaining feedback on IP strategy and implementing strategic choices.
- When creating and maintaining an IP portfolio, it is vital to keep costs down without sacrificing quality.
Company Details
Medical technology
Location: Italy
Main Product: Biomedical measuring devices
Business Model: Product sales
This medical device company is founded on sound IP. Sound IP increases visibility and recognition, facilitates co-operation with partners and justifies premium prices. Establishing IP early in the process safeguards investment in R&D and offers protection from imitation until compliance with regulatory standards is achieved.
Type of material Download Case study Cosmed - Micrel Medical Devices (medical technology - Greece)
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Smart infusion pumps for treating patients at home
- Continuous innovation supported by patents allows technology-based SMEs to compete with large companies.
- Patent protection can help safeguard investments and reduce risk when introducing new products to the market.
- Well-thought-out filing strategies enable companies not only to speed up the granting process but also to postpone decisions where needed.
- Regular searches in patent databases allow companies to monitor competitors and reveal opportunities for future innovations.
Company Details
Medical technology
Location: Greece
Main Product: Infusion system
Business Model: Product sales
As a medical technology company, Micrel uses patents and patent information strategically to safeguard future product lines, ensure freedom to operate and find inspiration for new technical developments.
Type of material Download Case study Micrel - Webdyn (digital communication - France)
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Integrating ICT creates solutions for the Internet of Things
- Patents can be used to secure freedom to operate, for example by means of cross-licensing agreements.
- They can contribute value when developing a marketing strategy.
- Options to postpone decisions in the patenting process can be used strategically in order to gain time or to optimise procedural and validation costs.
- Even pending patents can contribute a significant business value.
Company Details
Digital communication
Location: France
Main Product: IP gateways
Business Model: Product sales
Working on the Internet of Things, the company profited from a pending patent application, using it as an asset when negotiating freedom to operate for some of its business.
Type of material Download Case study Webdyn (EN) Webdyn (FR) - Fractus (telecommunications - Spain)
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Snowflake pattern precipitates a new application for antennae
- A proactive, long-term IP strategy which is consistent with the overall corporate vision is essential.
- A patent portfolio based on continuing R&D allows companies to focus on technology licensing and helps secure financing.
- Litigation is a last but important resort when it comes to fighting wilful infringement.
- The Unified Patent Court (UPC) has the potential to remove the disadvantages of the current fragmented European litigation system.
Company Details
Telecommunications
Location: Spain
Main Product: Fractal antennae
Business Model: Technology licensing
Fractus, a producer of antennae, has built its business success on licensing its patented technology. Its robust IP portfolio and its commitment to enforcing its rights strengthen its position in licensing negotiations and safeguard further R&D investments.
Type of material Download Case study Fractus - Ekspla (Optics - Lithuania)
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Leveraging IP: from research tools to industry applications
- IP strategy and management skills can help overcome the challenges presented by business model changes.
- Patents can be used to shape a company´s technology competency profile.
- Combining trade secrets and patents can be a cost-efficient and effective way to protect IP.
- Joint ownership of a patent is an acceptable option if there is a clear agreement benefiting both parties.
Company Details
Optics
Location: Lithuania
Main Product: Lasers
Business Model: Product sales
IP protection helped Ekspla to enter the market for industrial laser applications and take part in publicly funded international projects. Ekspla engages in joint patenting with its partners and combines patents with trade secrets where appropriate.
Type of material Download Case study Ekspla - Skeleton (electrical machinery, apparatus, energy - Estonia)
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Capacitance creates a watershed in purification
- Strong patents aligned with a company's products help secure exclusivity in core markets.
- IP strategy should evolve with company development, with IPRs contributing in different ways at different stages.
- Patents can help establish commercial partnerships which provide additional funding, R&D support and new business networks.
- A holistic approach to IP management means constantly developing new and advanced skills and tools.
Company Details
Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
Location: Estonia
Main Product: Ultracapacitor
Business Model: Product sales
As a producer of advanced materials for energy storage, Skeleton knows that it needs a strong patent portfolio if it is to keep on improving its technology and expanding its market. Employees at Skeleton are cross-trained so that everyone can support the IP strategy and its alignment with the company's R&D efforts.
Type of material Download Case study Skeleton - Voltea (electrical machinery, apparatus, energy - The Netherlands)
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Capacitance creates a watershed in purification
- Strong patents aligned with a company's products help secure exclusivity in core markets.
- IP strategy should evolve with company development, with IPRs contributing in different ways at different stages.
- Patents can help establish commercial partnerships which provide additional funding, R&D support and new business networks.
- A holistic approach to IP management means constantly developing new and advanced skills and tools.
Company Details
Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
Location: The Netherlands
Main Product: Water deionization module
Business Model: Product sales, technology licensing
Obtaining patents for its water-softening and deionisation technology enabled Voltea to spin out from a larger company. The patents helped it to attract investors, set up co-operation with partners, and ultimately establish itself as a leader in the field.
Type of material Download Case study Voltea - Lithoz (machine tools - Austria) - SME case studies
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Additive manufacturing (3D printing) opens a new chapter for ceramics
- A university's IP strategy can have a big impact on the success of any spin-off.
- It is good practice to have dedicated IP managers who take IP issues into account in the course of the company's day-to-day business.
- An open climate can foster employees' creative ideas and channel them into successful projects.
- Even minor technical improvements can meet a market need and be worth patenting.
Company Details
Machine tools
Location: Austria
Main Product: Machines for manufacturing ceramics
Business Model: Product sales
University-owned patents created the springboard for this spin-off to enter the market for Additive manufacturing (3D-printed) ceramics in industrial applications. Measures stimulating the creativity of staff and research partners yield new and patentable ideas, supporting the build-up of the company’s patent portfolio and strengthening its market position.
Type of material Download Case study Lithoz (EN) Lithoz (DE) Video Working with inspiring technology – Lithoz Study Patents and Additive Manufacturing - full report (EN) Patents and Additive Manufacturing - executive summary (EN) Further information The future of manufacturing - Picote (machine tools, Finland)
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Pipe repairs that break the rules but not the walls
- Patents can help expand a service company's business model to include high-value products.
- Customers and resellers can provide important information about infringement which can be used to enforce patent rights.
- Integrating IP experts into the core team can help to streamline IP management processes and make them more efficient.
- Customers inputs and IP landscaping can provide vital stimulus for future innovation.
Company Details
Machine tools
Location: Finland
Main Product: Tool for cleaning and repairing pipes
Business Model: Product sales
This traditional construction and renovation contractor expanded its activities to include the development of mechanical solutions. The decision to patent these solutions meant that sales of the resulting products, which are in part easy to copy, now play a major role in the company’s success.
Type of material Download Case study Picote
- Terms of use
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The EPO SME case studies have been produced by the EPO in co-operation with external experts.
The content of the information provided in the case studies is for general information and training purposes only. It is subject to change at any time and without prior notice.
The information contained in the case studies does not constitute either advice of any kind or the rendering of consulting services or other professional services of any kind.
The information and materials contained in the case studies may contain inaccuracies or errors. Neither the EPO nor its agents nor the external experts make any representations or warranties about the accuracy, comprehensiveness, completeness or suitability of any of the information provided in the studies.
The EPO, its agents and the external experts will not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage that may arise from reliance on the studies, and exclude any and all liability for any loss, claim or damage, cost or expense suffered in connection with their use.
The case studies and/or any of their parts, as well as any modification or translation thereof, may be used for non-commercial teaching and training purposes only.
For inquiries please contact smecasestudies@epo.org.