​​Vice-President participates in World IP Day conference in Albania​

​​On 23 April, ahead of World Intellectual Property Day, Christoph Ernst, EPO Vice-President Legal and International Affairs, opened the conference in Tirana titled “From idea to impact – patents driving startups and university success”. The event brought together key stakeholders from Albania’s innovation ecosystem to explore how patents can empower startups and support knowledge transfer from universities. 

​In his opening address, Vice-President Ernst reaffirmed the EPO’s support for entrepreneurs, remarking: “Startups and universities are engines of innovation. By helping them protect their ideas, we give them a stronger foundation to grow, attract investment, and make a lasting impact on the economy and society.” As part of the programme, the European Patent Office’s Observatory on Patents and Technology delivered a presentation on the essential role of patents in supporting early-stage business growth. 

​Following up on joint efforts to support local inventors 

​Vice-President Ernst held bilateral meetings with Mr Sokol Duma, Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation, and Ms Maria Solis, Acting Director General of the General Directorate of Industrial Property (GDIP). Discussions focused on Albania’s priorities and the implementation of the recently signed bilateral co-operation agreement, which runs through 2028. The agreement includes initiatives to raise IP awareness among youth, expand technology transfer services at the PATLIB centre, and strengthen national patent examination capacity. 

​With growing momentum in Albania’s startup scene and research communities, the EPO’s continued co-operation with GDIP is helping to create a more supportive environment for inventors and entrepreneurs across the country.