Info Session: Patents & Licences
Postdoc Workshop |
Date: 30. April 2026
Format: TUM Info-Session / Online workshop via MS Teams, 13:00–15.00
Description: This information session provides researchers with an introduction to key aspects of intellectual property (IP) in the academic environment. We will give an overview of the German Employee Inventions Act and outline how the TUM ForTe Patents & Licenses team supports researchers in disclosing, protecting, and commercializing inventions. The session will also address the specific legal framework governing software developed by employees and its implications for university researchers, highlighting common scenarios and key protection strategies.
The main part of the session will be delivered by David Auber, an experienced patent attorney of VOSSIUS, who will guide participants through the fundamentals of IP protection using real world examples. This deep dive will cover essential patentability criteria, different categories of IP rights, the structure and importance of patent claims, and practical considerations within the European patent system. The talk will highlight how patents drive innovation and why strategic IP protection is crucial for research impact and technology transfer.
Objectives:
After attending, participants will be able to:
Distinguish major forms of IP and understand their relevance to research activities.
Gain insight into the patenting process—from initial idea to granted patent.
Understand basic patentability requirements and the role of claims.
Recognize when and how to involve IP experts, both internally and externally.
Appreciate the strategic value of IP for advancing research outcomes and collaborations.
Speakers:
David Auber studied Bioprocess Engineering at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), where he focused on biotechnology, pharmaceutical technology, and bioprocess engineering – laying the foundation for his later work in intellectual property. After completing his master’s degree, he immediately began training as a German Patent Attorney and European Patent Attorney, which he completed in 2024. Since then, he has been part of VOSSIUS. David’s work focuses on protecting innovations in areas such as cell and gene therapies, therapeutic antibodies, mRNA technologies, enzymes, vaccines, diagnostics, sequencing technologies, and much more. He works with universities, spin-offs, start-ups, and biotech and pharmaceutical companies on patent strategies, international portfolio management, patentability assessments, and freedom-to-operate analyses.
Dr. Katja Reinhardt studied Chemistry at TUM and gained international research experience as a post-doc at Institute for Basic Science (IBS) in South Korea. After her post-doc, she joined the TUM ForTe Patents and Licenses Team to support researchers in turning innovative ideas into protectable and commercially viable technologies.
Registration & Deadlines:
- Participation in the entire workshop is mandatory! Please only register if you can attend the entire workshop by filing our registration form.
- For Info-Sessions, the number of participants is not limited. You can register until two day before the event.
- For Workshops, if all places are taken, it is possible to register for the waiting list.
- Registration closes two weeks before a workshop starts.
Interested in learning more? Check out our other postdoc events!