On the margins of the WIPO Sixty-Fifth Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States, WIPO’s Youth Engagement team and the Global Challenges Division, together with International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) and HYPER Healthcare, IFPMA’s youth program, organized a side-event which provided a platform for a lively exchange between established leaders and young innovators in the life sciences sector.

The session focused on the importance of intergenerational exchanges, mentorship and collaboration, the skills needed to tackle future challenges and foster a supportive environment for youth-led ventures, as well as the role of intellectual property (IP) in supporting entrepreneurship.

Edward Kwakwa, Assistant Director General, WIPO Global Challenges and Partnership Sector (GCPS) presented opening remarks. “We have a shared mission to nurture young leaders and thinkers to foster innovation in life sciences”, he noted, highlighting that innovation requires both dialogue and mentorship.

Luca Deplano, Manager, Innovation and Access Policy, from IFPMA highlighted that young people are powerful drivers of change, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to enduring problems. “For many young innovators, IP protection is crucial. It safeguards their ideas and core business assets, enabling them to thrive and benefit society,” he said.  

Intergenerational dialogue on IP, innovation and entrepreneurship

Panelists representing private sector, academia, and young entrepreneurs discussed the essential skillsets required for succeeding in the life sciences field.

Dr. Awa Babington-Ashaye, Founder of Adenium Healthcare, and Dr. Brighton Samatanga, Founder and CEO of The Biotech Institute, highlighted the importance of creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability. Challenges about the current education system’s ability to equip young people with these entrepreneurial skillsets were raised. Mentorship, as highlighted by Josefa Cortés, Founder of Palpa, was seen as a crucial bridge, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, filling identified gaps, and adapt to changes.

Navigating challenges and overcoming hurdles

The discussion also explored the various challenges faced by innovators. From social and economic barriers to a lack of IP strategies, the panelists shared their personal experiences in overcoming these hurdles. A key focus was on funding, which is often an obstacle faced by innovators. Syed Ahmed, Founder of Techninvention, emphasized the importance of exploring alternative funding models.

Importance of IP protection

The role of IP protection in safeguarding innovation was highlighted as a key theme. Arthur Queval, Founder of Loop Medical SA, with his experience in securing patents and disclosing values, and Dr. Awa Babington, who recently faced challenges with a similar company name, underscored the importance of understanding IP law and utilizing IP strategies. All panelists agreed on the importance of young innovators familiarizing themselves with IP early on in their entrepreneurial journey.

Building a supportive ecosystem for young leaders

The session concluded with recommendations for policymakers. The discussion focused on creating more awareness of IP among young people, improving accessibility to IP resources, and developing mentorship programs specifically for young innovators.

The meeting was moderated by Amy Dietterich, Director, Global Challenges Division, WIPO, and Nadine Hazikimana, Youth Engagement Facilitator at WIPO. Just Richie, a music artist, performed a song composed in line with the theme of youthfulness and innovation.

About IFPMA

The IFPMA represents the innovative pharmaceutical industry at the international level and in official relations with the United Nations. IFPMA also partners with governments, global health organizations, NGOs, civil society, patient groups, international hospital organizations, global foundations, and research and academic institutions.

About WIPO Youth Engagement

The Youth Engagement unit was launched in 2021. Coordinated by the Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector, this unit aims to connect with young audiences who are tomorrow’s leaders in innovation and creativity. Harnessing the innovative and creative energy of global youth will not only advance WIPO’s vision of a more inclusive global IP ecosystem but also help create a better and more sustainable future for all. WIPO remains committed to working closely with all Member States and stakeholders to make this vision a reality.

About WIPO Global Challenges Division

WIPO’s Global Challenges Division addresses innovation and IP at the nexus of interconnected global policy issues including trade and global health. Engaging in diverse global policy discussions relating to IP and implementing on-the-ground projects that demonstrate the positive power of IP, the Division collaborates with a broad spectrum of stakeholders to contribute towards the shared realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.