Patent Reform Will Stifle Innovation

I believe the proposed patent reform act would stifle innovation, which already has many hurdles to overcome, particularly in the earliest stages (when foundational patents are filed). To arbitrarily limit damages and to make it easier to challenge patents shifts the balance further in favor of large companies and lowers the incentive of innovators and technology licensing offices at universities to file and support patents that could have an impact on healthcare, the environment and quality of life. I have heard that there are different views between biotech and information technology “innovators” on this subject and am curious if anyone from the technology (start-up or academic innovator) side can give his/her perspective. I understand how this could be helpful to large companies but how is this helpful to innovation?

Author: Daphne Zohar

Daphne Zohar is the co-founder and CEO of PureTech, a Boston-based firm specializing in translating breakthrough research from top tier academic institutions into therapies that will impact human health and well-being. PureTech’s senior partners include entrepreneurs and leaders from the highest echelon of pharma, biotech and academia. Ms. Zohar was named one of the world's top young innovators who will shape the future of technology by MIT's Technology Review magazine and one of the top "40 under 40" by the Boston Business Journal. A successful entrepreneur, Zohar created PureTech and assembled a leading team to help implement her vision for the firm. She co-founded and sits on the Boards of Directors of PureTech, Solace Pharmaceuticals (where she was founding CEO), Follica Inc. (where she was founding CEO), Enlight Biosciences (a technology development company whose backers include Merck, Pfizer, Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, and Novartis), Endra, and Satori Pharmaceuticals (where she was founding CEO). She also sits on the Technology Development Fund Advisory Board at Children's Hospital Boston, the Tufts University School of Medicine Advisory Committee for Drug Discovery and Development, and is an editorial advisor to Xconomy, a national technology news blog.