Starting with a patent application is an exciting moment, especially for biotech startups. It often marks the shift from scientific insight to real-world application. But before you start drafting, there’s one step that often gets skipped. And it’s one that makes everything smoother later.
The moment I ask, “So… what’s already out there?”, the conversation usually slows down a bit. What felt clear a minute ago now raises a few questions. That’s completely normal, and easy to avoid with a little preparation.
In biotech, what feels new can sometimes already be known. A quick look at the existing literature and patents can help you spot the difference early on.
You don’t need to find everything. But a few good references can already make all of the difference. Focus on two things when searching:
1. Where your invention is different, in structure, mechanism or method
2. What those differences actually do, like improving potency, selectivity or stability
You’re not writing the patent application. You’re sharpening the conversation.
Here are 3 great (and free) tools to get started:
1) The Lens: Combines patent documents with academic publications. Thanks to smart keyword matching, it often brings the most relevant results right to the top.
2) Espacenet: A large patent database. Good for spotting what others have claimed and how they phrased it. You’ll quickly see patterns and gaps.
3) PubMed: The go-to for biomedical literature. Not all inventions show up in patent databases. Sometimes, the most relevant piece is hiding in plain sight, published in a scientific article.
These tools are free and surprisingly effective. And if you want to go beyond the basics, a Qualified Patent Information Professional can help you dig even deeper.
The time you invest upfront helps you enter the patent process with more clarity, sharper focus, and a stronger position. It leads to better discussions, better decisions, and ultimately, better protection.
Always worth it!