Inventions and Patents
Groundbreaking research findings are constantly emerging at the University of Bonn. Patented inventions are a key factor in successfully bringing these findings to market as innovations. As a member of the University of Bonn, the enaCom Transfer Center helps you identify, evaluate, and protect the commercial potential of your research, and advises you on all aspects of this process. In principle, the University of Bonn pursues the goals and related activities outlined in its patent strategy.
In partnership with innovation2business.nrw
The University of Bonn is a partner in the innovation2business.nrw network, through which all members of the university community and its spin-offs can access free services, workshops, and training courses on the topic of intellectual property (IP). As the perfect introduction to the world of intellectual property, the online continuing education program “IP-License” offers various modules covering the basics of intellectual property rights—from inventions, technologies, and proprietary know-how to trade secrets.
Assessment of Inventions
We assess your invention’s level, also in regard to the industrial applicability. Starting with the invention disclosure to us, taking the decision to file a patent and later execute IP licensing deals, we closely work with PROvendis GmbH, the patent servicer for NRW universities. Our IP (Intellectual Property) consultants answer general and personal questions from inventors concerning the Employee Invention Act (Arbeitnehmererfindergesetz), industrial property rights and the economic exploitation of research and development results, such as: Will the invention application be granted; and to what extent?
An invention is a creative achievement that solves a technical problem. It has to satisfy several requirements to be granted a patent. It must be new, that is, not known in the current state of the art, which includes all written and oral publications — even your own. It must be based on an inventive step and go far beyond the prevailing technology known. And it must be applicable in some field of industry.
Applying for Patents
enaCom will advise you on the patent application process and help you to prepare the invention disclosure. We prepare a strategy for the utilization of each invention. A variety of possibilities exist for the commercialization of university patents, such as licensing agreements, maintaining the patent to raise third party funding, or starting your own business.
There is some information we need before we can prepare your invention disclosure. We use the information to determine the ownership of the invention, to correctly identify the inventors to be put on a patent application, and to assess the scope of patent protection, which in turn affects the opportunities for exploitation. Please complete this questionnaire and sent it to our IP consultant (contact information below).
Benefits of a Patent
Publications are very important within the academic research community. But think about patenting before submitting a publication as you risk the chances of getting a patent granted. It is therefore very important to talk to us, submit an invention disclosure in order to protect you against this risk. The patent owner is granted the exclusive right to exploit the invention for a maximum period of 20 years. This protects innovative products and processes against imitation by competitors.
Industrial property rights — in particular patents — are therefore essential for the economic success of a technical innovation. They are also often used to raise third party funding. Patents act as a signal that research is being performed in a particular field and that the corresponding know-how exists.
Software
Software increasingly forms the basis for marketable products and services. At the University of Bonn, too, many start-ups are currently emerging in the field of IT-based services. Innovative ideas are just as much in demand here as in all other technical areas. However, when it comes to the question of intellectual property and its protection, a major difference becomes apparent: In contrast to conventional technical inventions, software often cannot be meaningfully protected via patents; here, the focus is rather on copyright. For a quick consultation we need some information in advance. This enables us to check who is entitled to the copyright as well as the exploitation right and who holds further rights to this software. Please fill out this questionnaire and send it to our IP consultants (contact below).
10
new patent applications on average per year
6
patent exploitation deals on average per year
2.5
to 3 years for patent proceedings on average
Some of the inventions based on the excellent research performed at the University of Bonn are presented here. The patented innovations were selected from a variety of technology areas. All of the technologies were evaluated and are exploited by PROvendis GmbH based on economic and patent criteria.
Selected technologies
Whether electromobility, smartphones or industrial applications – high-performance, durable and safe energy storage systems are in demand in many fields of application.
New approaches in alternative energy sources and food production, fermentation processes, modified enzymes for processing technologies
The opportunities for patenting chemical technologies cover a wide range from innovative high-performance chemicals and analytical methods to new materials.
- Air-Retaining-Grids - A biomimetic air-retaining Salvinia surface
- P2Y 12-receptor antagonist - Novel antagonists of the P2Y12-receptor with antithrombotic effect
- Spray freeze-drying - A process for the spray freeze-drying of lipophilic compounds
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Amipysurf - Antimicrobial Pyridinium- and Multipyridinium-based Surfmeres
- Hydrogen free Water2Ammonia - Electrochemical Twin Reactor for direct NH3 Synthesis from water
Advanced diagnostics are essential for identifying and distinguishing between illnesses. Our biomarkers are used for this purpose.
- Aptamer D3P-21 - An Aptamer that Targets Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer
- Combinatory Asthma Endoytping Assay - Diagnostic Test for Asthma Subtype Differentiation
- Click-Mass Spectrometry of lipids - Click-MS spectrometry to trace metabolism of fatty acids and sterols
- A Novel Marker for Brown Fat Activity - Exosomal microRNA-92 in serum reflects brown fat activity
- Monitoring of hemophilia - Utilizing PD1 as a biomarker for monitoring immune tolerance of coagulation factor VIII treatment
- OCT scanners with better insights - Ocular fundus autofluorescence measurement by means of optical coherence tomography
Energy-efficient, environmentally friendly technologies represent the University’s important contribution to the creation of a sustainable future.
- Melioration des Unterbodens - zur Steigerung des Nährstoffangebotes und zur Wachstumsförderung
- Oil float - Environmentally friendly method of removing oil from water
- FishFlowFilter - Bionic filtration method for microplastics
- Hydrogen free Water2Ammonia - Electrochemical Twin Reactor for direct NH3 Synthesis from water
- Sustainable construction/insulating material - Method for manufacturing a construction or insulating material
- Hydrophobing products from renewable raw materials - Enhanced recyclability and flame retardancy
Improved product quality, larger production quantities or new materials – University of Bonn offers innovative solutions from all areas of mechanical engineering.
Nanotechnology-based materials, efficient testing methods and resource-saving composite materials are some examples of this research.
- Maintaining polarization in optical fibers (PoF)
- Air-Retaining-Grids - A biomimetic air-retaining Salvinia surface
- Window for high temperatures - High-pressure and vacuum-proof sapphire glass windows in a metal flange for high temperatures
- Oil float - Environmentally friendly method of removing oil from water
- Amipysurf - Antimicrobial Pyridinium- and Multipyridinium-based Surfmeres
- Sustainable construction/insulating material - Method for manufacturing a construction or insulating material
- Hydrophobing products from renewable raw materials - Enhanced recyclability and flame retardancy
Pharmaceutical research contributes to the creation of a healthy society by identifying, testing and optimizing potential new active ingredients.
- Aptamer D3P-21 - An Aptamer that Targets Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer
- Click-Mass Spectrometry of lipids - Click-MS spectrometry to trace metabolism of fatty acids and sterols
- P2Y 12-receptor antagonist - Novel antagonists of the P2Y12-receptor with antithrombotic effect
- ALXAN - 8-Ethinylxanthines for the treatment of CNS diseases
- CorA as anthelmintic (Human filariasis) - Natural product as antibiotic for the treatment of filariasis
- Corallopyronin A as antifilarial drug - A natural antibiotic product for the effective treatment of dirofilariasis
- MRGPRX4 Receptor Agonists and Antagonists - New drug target for treating open and closed wounds as well as chronic pain and itch
- MRGX2 Receptor Antagonists - New drug target for inflammatory and other diseases
- Supplements for T Cell-Based Immunotherapy - T Cell Activation and Prevention of Exhaustion in the treatment of cancer
- Novel therapy for Metachromatic Leukodystrophy - A SuPerTurbo-ASA – An engineered enzyme for use in gene therapy and enzyme replacement therapy
- Spray freeze-drying - A process for the spray freeze-drying of lipophilic compounds
- GSDMD VHHs prevent pyroptosis - Single domain antibodies (sdAbs) against GSDMD prevent pyroptosis
- Circular RNA - Enhanced circular RNA translation for therapeutic and immunogenic protein production
Precise instrumentation is needed for reliable process and product engineering processes in many areas.
Innovative solutions and technologies are needed to optimize process engineering in a variety of application areas.
Research materials such as antibodies, cell lines, mouse models and vectors help achieve groundbreaking research in a variety of fields.
New approaches and innovations are in demand throughout the entire textile production sector. PROvendis offers attractive technologies from the field of textile engineering for licensing, to purchase or for development cooperation.
PROvendis offers innovative medical technologies and products for licensing, to purchase or for development cooperation. The portfolio includes medical devices and complex medical equipment, implants, prosthetic devices, stents, and catheters.
Contact
About the innovation2business.nrw network
The University of Bonn is a partner in the innovation2business.nrw network: 27 universities in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and PROvendis GmbH together form the innovation2business.nrw network. This network promotes the professional transfer of knowledge and technology to the business sector and society. The network is funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia; the funding agency is the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection, and Energy.
The University of Münster serves as the designated coordinating institution, while PROvendis acts as the network’s central service provider. Researchers, staff, and students, as well as spin-offs from the participating universities, can access services related to the protection and commercialization of intellectual property (IP). These services are provided free of charge as part of the state funding and can be expanded and customized upon request.
Also read
Funding Opportunities
enaCom will advise you on the many public funding programs that provide support for research innovations.
Start a Business at Uni Bonn
Whether you have a idea for a start-up or are just interested in starting a business, enaCom is the right place to be.
Transfer Center enaCom
Transfer has many forms. enaCom is the central point of contact for anyone who wants to collaborate with the University.