Following prior considerations to enumerate and protect IITA–CGIAR‘s valued assets, Intellectual Property (IP) Consultant Hadassah Waterman was at IITA for a week-long workshop on 11 – 14 March to provide professional guidance for identifying and protecting IITA’s intellectual properties, alongside her colleague, Remy Bitoun, who joined online.
The consultants provided valuable tools and concepts to map out IITA’s IP and management with representatives from different units of IITA. Representatives from Breeding, BIP, Agronomy, Socioeconomic, TAAT, Product Development, Agribusiness, and Germplasm Health Unit of IITA all had sessions with the consultants where pertinent questions were raised and addressed.
The CGIAR, finding new ways to deliver science-based solutions beneficial to smallholder farmers in the Global South, is identifying IP assessment and protection to engage private sector actors in providing impact acceleration. This route will maintain the dissemination of IITA’s research outputs for public consumption and provide a more comprehensive platform for dissemination through private sector engagement.
IP will differentiate the terms and conditions available and accessible to the public sector from those to the private sector. IP management and protection will also help IITA deliver a more robust report of its research activities to the CGIAR. Meanwhile, with the private sector, there will be opportunities for revenue sharing that can be plowed back into research.
During the wrap-up session, Waterman shared her perspective based on her experience discussing with the different research groups in IITA. The discussion highlighted both strengths and opportunities for private-sector engagement. IITA’s solid scientific base, relevant focus on African crops, and proven track record in commercialization agreements position the Institute for success. However, weaknesses in IP expertise, lack of a complete IP asset list, and challenges specific to the African market require attention.
The discussion suggests further exploring specific opportunities like creating an IP committee, utilizing IP mapping tools, and holding workshops on agreements and best practices. Additionally, a meeting with country managers might be helpful to understand their specific needs for private sector engagement.
The discussion identified concrete opportunities to capitalize on IITA’s strengths and address its weaknesses. These include strengthening internal IP management and communication processes and exploring practical engagement models such as public-private partnerships and commercial licensing. A comprehensive SWOT report will be provided to guide IITA’s private sector engagement strategy further. This report will provide a detailed analysis of IITA’s intellectual property (IP) landscape and offer specific recommendations to maximize success in IP protection.
Contributed by Folake Oduntan and Sharon Abiodun
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