S2 Ep7: Protecting Ideas Drives Innovation

Good science drives innovation. One of the most critical ingredients for an innovation-friendly environment is a strong intellectual property (IP) framework. It allows for collaboration, partnership and larger investments that provide an opportunity to scale research, which in turn can provide a great opportunity for success, and hopefully advance the development of medicines for patients. The U.S. is the global leader of biopharmaceutical innovation because its IP system promotes competition, ensuring each player excels at their role and is incentivized to take risks and share information throughout the process. Joe talks to Dr. John Stewart IV, professor of surgery and physician executive for oncology sciences at University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, about the factors that have influenced his oncology research and how he has been able to continue this research through partnerships and policies that support IP. Joe also talks to Tonya Combs, vice president and deputy general patent counsel of IP procurement at Lilly, about the drug discovery process, the Bayh-Dole Act and the biopharmaceutical research ecosystem during the COVID-19 pandemic.