Perhaps the most exciting session of the CLIPDC
conference (which is now finished) in Durban, SA, was titled “Global
entrepreneurs” and featured Prof. Robert (Bob) Langer from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT), Alex Klibanov (also from MIT), and Dennis Liotta
(from Emory University in Alabama). For the non-scientist readers, Bob Langer
is equivalent to Beyonce in music or Steve Jobs in business – a true rock star.
Alex and Dennis are also quite famous in the science circles. [Sadly, Bob and Alex could only join by video link, so this
once-scientist-Leo didn’t have the privilege of meeting them in person.]
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| Great Dome at MIT - watch out for firetrucks and police cars on top |
Bob is an inventor on over 800 patents (yes, that’s 800
patents), and has well over 1,000 publications to his name, so he knows
something about innovation and intellectual property (i.e., patent) systems.
Bob’s recommendation to Developing Countries is to start building the IPR
ecosystem, while planning for the future. Implement a good patent system, which
will be attractive to investors, will lure Venture Capitalists, and which will
reward innovation. Bob used the oft-cited example of Silicon Valley, which, he
noted, has been developing over 70-80 years.
Similarly, Alex suggested a multi-step process for
encouraging innovation via IPR. First, identify unmet needs that are specific
to the Developing Country. This will reduce the likelihood that the innovators
are competing with large multinational corporations with nearly unlimited
resources. Second, apply technology to the need, whether it is your own
technology or that of others. [This Leo finds that innovators
are frequently surprised to learn that patents from Developed Countries are
available online for free, and that they are supposed to thoroughly
describe the state of the art at the time of publication.] Third, businesses/innovators should have an
exit strategy. Finally, work hard and keep pushing, and good things will
happen. Sounds great, and works well in America.
One complication is that global IP systems have been
undergoing rapid evolution as pro-protection and pro-open movements clash and
(sometimes) try to find common ground. It’s difficult to plan for the future
when one cannot guess what global IPR regimes will look like in 20-30 years. Historically,
such discussions have been spearheaded by developed countries (even today this
is true, given the recent revelations about the TPP negotiations). The rise of
BRICS countries has altered this somewhat; Indian court decisions about
pharmaceuticals and Brazilian policies regarding genetic resources are two
examples of BRICS beginning to redefine the conversation.
There are two ways to interpret Bob and Alex’s suggestions:
(1) “start now to lay the foundation for a strong IPR regime, like the one in
the US and Europe which has worked so well”; or (2) “start now to determine
what sort of IPR regime would function best in Africa, providing suitable
incentive for innovation yet accounting for local needs and situations.”
One fascinating topic raised by the three scientists relates to
creating incentives for entrepreneurship and innovation within universities.
Apparently, MIT owns all of the IP generated by professors, but gives the
professors 28% of all royalties generated by the IP. Also, if professors wish to create a spin-off
company from their inventions, MIT licenses those inventions to the spin-off at
zero initial cost. Instead of charging a royalty, MIT takes an equity stake in
the company.
Even more interesting is that all professors at MIT are
allowed and encouraged to devote one day per week to “extracurricular
activities,” which may be of a public service nature or of a private industry
nature. Clearly MIT makes great effort to
encourage creativity, entrepreneurship, and diversity among faculty.
Are there any African universities that go to such lengths
in encouraging innovation? Readers are encouraged to chime in…
