Talk innovation: unlocking technology

Driven by a lifelong passion for science and a commitment to environmental sustainability, Marie Perrin discovered an innovative method for recycling rare earth elements from electronic waste. In this episode the winner of the World Builders Prize at the Young Inventors Prize 2025 shares her journey from doctoral researcher at ETH Zurich to co-founder of pioneering startup REEcover.  

Marie and host Ed Cooke discuss the environmental challenges of rare earth mining, the technical breakthroughs behind her process and how her invention transforms electronic waste into a valuable resource, reducing chemical waste and energy use.  Marie also reflects on the importance of innovation in the circular economy, the powerful influence of role models and the steep learning curve for scientists turned entrepreneurs. 

Host: Ed Cooke, EPO examiner 

Guests: Marie Perrin, Chemist and REEcover co-founder 

More information:   
Marie Perrin’s profile on epo.org 

Join host Cristina Margarido and immunology expert Helena Domingues as they explore how groundbreaking health inventions are transforming lives. 

From immune checkpoint inhibitors revolutionising cancer therapy to the surprising medical uses of Botox, they discuss the science behind these innovations, the increasing complexity of patent applications in these fields and the rewarding role of patent examiners in helping to bring these “out of the box” ideas into the real world. 

Host: Cristina Lopes Margarido, EPO patent examiner in culinary equipment & food treating devices 

Guests: Helena Domingues, EPO patent examiner in immunology 

In recent years the worlds of public research and startups have become more linked than ever, attracting a high share of investment and playing a vital role in European competitiveness. 

But this wasn't always the case. In this episode, cancer immunologist and entrepreneur Dr Jérôme Galon sheds light on how researchers have found increasing acceptance and support as they branch into business.  

To illustrate this, the 2019 European Inventor Award winner shares his journey as an INSERM researcher and successful biotech founder, discussing the pivotal role of technology transfer offices, what it takes to turn groundbreaking discoveries into real-world impact and the evolving role of today's scientists. The conversation is accompanied by insights from the EPO Observatory's recent study on “The role of European public research in patenting and innovation.”   

Host: Victor Arribas Martinez, Stream leader, EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology  

Guests: Dr. Jérôme Galon, Cancer immunologist and research director, French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM)  

More information:  

• EPO study: “The role of European public research in patenting and innovation” 

• Profile of Dr. Jérôme Galon on the EPO website  

The global population is growing, and digital agriculture is reshaping food production to meet their needs. 

 So, where is farming being re-invented and who's behind it? Join experts as they discuss the rise of cutting-edge technologies like AI robotics, data analytics and automation, sharing examples such as automated fruit trackers and smart farming platforms. Hear how public research bodies and private firms are collaborating to drive innovation, and what challenges Europe must tackle to stay ahead. 

Host:  

Marguerite McCaughan, Communications Manager, EPO  

Guests:  

Victor Veefkind, Patent Examiner in Detergents, Explosives, Fertilisers and Stream Leader for Technology Intelligence at the EPO’s Observatory 

Christopher Armstrong, Manager of Start -ups & Open Innovation, German Agricultural Society 

Stanley Oliveira, Senior Researcher, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) 

More information:   Technology insight report “Digital Agriculture - Towards Sustainable Food Security”New technology platform on Digital Agriculture

Think a patent shouldn't have been granted?

This episode explains:

• How to challenge a competitor’s patent – fromsubmitting observations and filing oppositions to seeking revocation. 
• When and how you can act, and why public inputmatters for patent quality.

The general information in these videos provides only abroad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively.You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patent attorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business.

Can software be patented? Discover how computer-implemented inventions - including AI and quantum computing - can qualify for patent protection.

In this episode, you’ll learn about the criteria under the European patent system, including the requirement to solve a technical problem in a novel and non-obvious way.

 The general information in these videos provides only abroad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patentattorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business.

Do you need a patent attorney to file a patent application?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• When you can file yourself and when expert helpis required.
• About the benefits of professionalrepresentation
• How to find the right attorney for your businessneeds

The general information in these videos provides only abroad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patentattorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business.

In fast-evolving technical fields, timing can be everything.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Ways to expedite the examination of your patentapplication at the EPO, including PACE requests, enquiries, and the Patent Prosecution Highway.
• How to engage with examiners and leverageinternational agreements to help speed up the process.

The general information in these videos provides only abroad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patentattorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business.

How is artificial intelligence changing the way patent professionals search, draft and work with patents? Our expert guests, including patent attorneys, patent searchers and the EPO's Chief Technology Officer, take you on a journey through real-world use cases, ethical consideration and personal experiences with AI in patent practice. 

From the practical to the forward-looking, this episode explores how AI is already shaping the profession—and what might come next. 

Narrated by Marguerite McCaughan, EPO 

 Guests:  

• Sébastien Ragot, patent attorney, E. Blum & Co. Ltd.
• Vipul Mendiratta, project team lead, Caterpillar  
• Tim Powell, patent attorney, chair of the epi Working Group on the use of AI 
• Angel Aledo Lopez, CTO at the EPO 

Further information: 

EPO’s AI Policy 

epi Guidelines: Use of Generative AI in the Work of Patent Attorneys 

EPO’s Legal Interactive Platform launched 

A patent is not automatically valid everywhere.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to choose which countries to validate yourpatent in and tailor the geographic scope to your business strategy.
• About the importance of selecting the rightterritories through the process of validation
• How to optimise costs while protecting yourinvention in key markets.

The general information in these videos provides only abroad overview and is not comprehensive. It is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your own needs, nor should it be relied upon exclusively. You should consult a qualified professional (for example a European patentattorney) before taking any actions that could impact your business.