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 

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:  

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) 

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: 

Standards are the invisible protocols that ensure our devices and services work together seamlessly. But how do they relate to patents? And what does this mean for innovation and competition?  

 Uncover how the interplay between standards and patents shapes technological progress. This discussion dives into how the Unified Patent Court and the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre aim to streamline patent litigation and enhance legal coherence across Europe.  

Finally, we introduce the European Patent Office's new dataset: the Patent Standards Explorer. By linking patent applications to standards documents, it offers a valuable resource for better understanding the innovation journey.  

More information:  

Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, polluting not just our environment but also even our bodies. Thankfully, the latest advancements in plastic waste recovery and recycling are paving the way towards a more sustainable future. 

Join Marguerite McCaughan as she explores the complexities behind these processes and speaks with experts about cutting-edge solutions and the role EU policies play in promoting recycling.  

 In this episode Paloma Aldeguer, Chief of Staff at Recycleye, shares insights into how artificial intelligence and machine learning are revolutionising plastic sorting and recycling. Joana Xavier, Director of Transformation and Sustainability at Valorsul, also discusses the technologies currently employed at Portugal's largest municipal waste processing plant. Pauline Vandoolaeghe, a patent examiner in polymer chemistry, joins the conversation to explain the chemical processes involved in plastic recycling, which include pyrolysis, chemolysis and enzymatic depolymerisation. Together, they provide an insightful look into the future of sustainable plastics.  

Narrator: Marguerite McCaughan, Communications manager, EPO 

Guests: 

Paloma Aldeguer, Chief of Staff, Recycleye 

Joana Xavier, Director of Transformation and Sustainability, Valorsul 

Pauline Vandoolaeghe, Patent examiner, EPO 

Further information:

Curious where the latest technology trends are heading?  

The EPO's annual Patent Index offers a comprehensive look into these advancements, tracking  technological growth and patenting activity as well as top applicants and countries in the lead. 

Join EPO experts as they guide you through 2024’s key insights and explore some of the top fields like computer technology; electrical machinery, apparatus, energy; and transport.   They also discuss the uptake of the Unitary Patent and how often women inventors were named on patent applications.  

Narrator:  

Jeremy Philpott, EPO Communication Manager 

Guests: 

Gilles Requena, EPO Chief Patent Research and Policy Officer  

Wiebke Hinrichs, EPO Patent Examiner in Cycles, Frames, Chains & Safety 

Marc Nicolas, Business Analyst at the EPO 

Yann Ménière, EPO Chief Economist  

Further resources:  

How can European startups bridge the funding gap they face compared to their US counterparts?  

 A recent study by the EPO’s Observatory on Patents and Technology highlights the important role of tech-savvy investors and provides a comprehensive mapping of investors supporting European innovators.  

 Discover the unique value that tech-focused investors bring to startups from Adéla Dvořáková, a Tech-to-Market Advisor at the European Innovation Council, and Sara Frykstrand Ångström, Head of Intelligence at Sweden's venture capital fund Industrifonden. Hear them discuss the study’s key findings as they share insights on the importance of a dual financing and IP strategy, the role of smart and patient capital and the need for a balanced pipeline of investors at various stages of a startup’s technological maturity. They also discuss the main challenges European investors face compared to their US counterparts. 

 Moderator: 

Pere Arque Castells, EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology 

 Guests: 

Adéla Dvořáková, Tech –to Market Advisor, European Innovation Council 

 Sara Frykstrand Ångström, Head of Intelligence, Industrifonden  

Further resources: 

Space technology is evolving at light speed and may even offer solutions to global challenges such as climate change. Join expert guests as they explore the significance of space propulsion for various applications, the rapid transformation of the space sector, the growing number of players in the field and the boom in spacecraft launches over the past decade. The episode provides fascinating insights into propulsion systems, including chemical and electric propulsion, and their applications in different phases of space missions. The panel also touches on innovative concepts like atmosphere-breathing propulsion and tethered propulsion, which may drive future space missions.

Moderator:

Johannes Schaaf, EPO Chief Economist Unit

Guests:

Lars Petzold, Research Fellow, European Space Policy Institute

Stephan Speidel, Technology Transfer Engineer, HE Space Operations

Geert Boedt, EPO Chief Economist Unit

Further resources:

Leading Tech Voices: industries of the future

Has graphene lived up to the hype it generated 20 years ago? And what do 3D-printed ceramics and Egyptian pyramids have in common? In this episode, two expert entrepreneurs explain how these materials are contributing to sustainability across industries. With graphene as the potential key to more energy-efficient data centres, and additive manufacturing producing ultra-durable ceramics with a wide variety of applications in fields such as biomedicine, prepare to discover how these materials have been transformed for maximum impact.

Moderator:

Pia Björk, Director in the EPO’s Communication department and an engineer in materials science

Speakers:

Amaia Zurutuza, Scientific director at Graphenea

Johannes Homa, founder and CEO at Lithoz

This episode is part of a special podcast series where each episode focuses on one of five major technology areas. It builds on the EPO’s 50 Leading Tech Voices project, in which global tech leaders were invited to share how they believe inventiveness can help create a brighter and more sustainable future.  You can read their statements and watch discussion panels on our website:

Further information:

How do you handle the lengthy process of getting a patent? While it may seem like a drawback, the time it takes can actually benefit your business. Join us to learn why the patent process isn’t always quick, how it impacts your competitors, and how you can actively impact the scope of your technology’s protection. Find out how you can use the patent examiner’s search report to drive your own strategy. 

Leading Tech Voices: health & well-being

EPO examiner Tom Kink leads a conversation with eminent inventors and scholars in the area of medical technologies, professors Gordon Chang and Chris Hancock. The talk highlights the significant increase in patent applications in medical technologies over the past decade emphasizing the role of interdisciplinary collaboration, advancements in material science as well as the role of robotics and AI in driving innovation. Persistence and the ability to iterate inventions quickly are crucial, as is consulting patents to be able to build upon earlier advancements in science.

Moderator:

Tom Kink, examiner specializing in the field of surgical tools and navigation at the EPO

Speakers:

Professor Gordon Cheng, Co-founder of Intouch-Robotics, Chair Professor for Cognitive Systems and Director of the Institute for Cognitive Systems at the Technical University of Munich.

Professor Chris Hancock, CTO and Founder of Creo Medical Group PLC and
Chair in Medical Microwave Engineering at Bangor University 

This episode is part of a special podcast series where each episode focuses on one of five major technology areas. It builds on the EPO’s 50 Leading Tech Voices project, in which global tech leaders were invited to share how they believe inventiveness can help create a brighter and more sustainable future.  You can read their statements and watch discussion panels on our website:

Further information:

As an inventor, micro-entity, startup or university researcher, how do you keep abreast of the latest technology developments? While some believe patents lock away knowledge, keeping it from the public - nothing could be further from the truth. Find out how you can leverage free patent databases to succeed in your line of business. 

This episode delves into the principal challenges facing innovation in Europe, as outlined in Mario Draghi’s prominent report “The future of European competitiveness.”  Listen to gain insight into: 

• the role patent data plays in understanding innovation trends 
• which technical fields Europe is lagging behind in compared to its competitors 
• how the EPO’s high-quality patents and other activities contribute to the innovation process 
• the critical factors that may impact Europe changing course.   

These important topics were tackled in a conversation between Gilles Requena, Chief Patent Research & Policies Officer at the EPO, and Alexandr Hobza, Chief Economist, Directorate-General for Research & Innovation at the European Commission, with moderation by Joff Wild, Head of Content at Sisvel and former Editor in Chief of IAM magazine.    

Additional links: 

How can you ensure you don’t run out of money while pursuing a patent? It could take several years, but key costs and deadlines are foreseeable. Join us to learn how to budget for your patent journey so that both your product development and investment rounds align with key patenting milestones - keeping nasty surprises at bay. 

Leading Tech Voices: digital technologies

As more technologies begin to converge and connect - heavily impacting fields such as healthcare and telecommunication – our experts see an increased need for greater awareness among inventors about the role of intellectual property in leveraging the potential of these inventions. 

 Additionally, how can patent law adapt to previously unforeseeable innovations?  

Discover the exciting possibilities that lie ahead with advancements in AI and quantum computing and explore how IP is shaping their progress.  

Moderator: 

Jessica Kuchenbecker, EPO examiner and team manager 

Speakers: 

Axel Ferrazzini, Managing director of 4IP Council 

Noam Shemtov, Professor of Intellectual Property and Technology Law at Queen Mary University 

This episode is part of a special podcast series where each episode focuses on one of five major technology areas. It builds on the EPO’s 50 Leading Tech Voices project, in which global tech leaders were invited to share how they believe inventiveness can help create a brighter and more sustainable future.  

You can read their statements and watch discussion panels on our website:  

How can you best avoid a common blunder made by many inventors? Prematurely disclosing your invention to investors, customers or suppliers could be a costly mistake! Find out why keeping your invention a secret - using non-disclosure agreements if necessary – is key until you file your patent application to optimise your chances for success. 

How do you know if your great idea is truly new and worth pursuing?  You’ve heard about the power of patent information, but are you sure you know how to use it? Well, help is just around the corner to better access searches in patent databases, advice on filing patent applications, assessments of the economic potential of your technology and much more. Learn about PATLIB centres and how they can support you in executing your business strategy – all for free.  

How do you find out where your business stands in relation to your competitors, your partners and the general state of technologies?  Patent knowledge can inform, inspire, guide and shape the direction of your business. It can be a source of information to find partners, customers or licences. Learn more about how free patent intelligence will help you to make better decisions. 

Filing fees, attorney costs, translations.... How do you deal best with the expense when applying for a patent to protect your new technology? Find out what discounts might be available to you as a small business, a micro-entity, a startup, a non-profit organisation or a university or public research organisation when applying to the European Patent Office. Discover how these might give you a headstart on pursuing your business strategy – while managing your budget effectively. 

How can you know if you’re spending your money wisely?  Think less about the cost and more about the value a patent can create for your business. Find out why investing in a patent may very well be worth it, for example, by attracting finance or generating licencing revenue for your business. Learn why patent protection is an asset that helps your business succeed. 

Leading Tech Voices: environment and food

With the global population rising and arable land decreasing due to climate change, how can we sustainably produce enough food while reducing the CO2 emissions caused by intensive agriculture?

Robin Simsa (Revo Foods) and David Mazur (Nestlé) discuss the need for new technologies to produce food and the pivotal role IP plays in bringing these sustainability breakthroughs to market.  You’ll find out what’s behind promising processes such as precision fermentation and 3D printed food, plus learn about what’s making plant-based foods more appealing (even to carnivores). 

Moderator: Ricardo Oltra, Patent examiner and team manager, European Patent Office

Speakers:

Robin Simsa, CEO, Revo Foods

David Mazur, General Counsel R&D, Nestlé

This episode is part of a series focusing on  five major technology areas. It builds on the EPO’s 50 Leading Tech Voices project, in which global tech leaders shared how they believe inventiveness can help create a brighter and more sustainable future.

You can read their statements and watch discussion panels on our website.

Why are space technologies essential to address global challenges and contribute to sustainable development goals? Join Maria-Gabriella Sarah (European Space Agency) and Rainer Horn (Novaspace) to discover how satellite-based communications and navigation improve our daily lives, and how innovations initially designed for astronauts, like portable laboratories, have been repurposed to serve remote communities during health crises such as the Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics. You’ll learn how Earth observation satellites with AI contribute to monitoring agriculture and forests. This episode also explores Europe’s leadership in space tech and the crucial role startups play in driving progress.

Moderator: Ralf Cuiper, Patent examiner and team manager - aerospace, European Patent Office

Speakers: Maria-Gabriella Sarah, Director General Services Strategy and Development, European Space Agency (ESA) Rainer Horn, Partner and Managing Director, Novaspace Leading Tech Voices: space technologies This episode is part of a series focussing on five major technology areas. It builds on the EPO’s 50 Leading Tech Voices project, in which global tech leaders shared how they believe inventiveness can help create a brighter and more sustainable future. You can read their statements and watch discussion panels on our website.

How can the innovators of today help nurture the great minds of tomorrow?

In this episode, two members of the European Inventor Network share their experiences working with school children to help spark their interest in innovation and entrepreneurship. Hear their insights on the importance of inspiring the next generation of inventors, the impact that school outreach has and what can be done to break down barriers between young inventors and legacy thinkers.

Highlighting the Network’s mission to empower the next generation to unleash their creativity and discover the wonders of science and technology, this conversation between two accomplished inventors offers an exciting look at how curiosity and enthusiasm can change the world.

Moderator: Marjorie Chopinaud, EPO team manager and coordinator of the European Inventor Network

Speakers:

Richard Palmer, European Inventor Award finalist and freelance entrepreneur

José Ángel Ávila Rodríguez, European Inventor Award finalist and Head of Future Programmes Office at the European Space Agency

EQE 2025: Reformed and ready for the future

The EPO is transforming the way patent practitioners are trained and tested. With a redesigned format and new content, the modernised European Qualifying Examination gives candidates the chance to demonstrate their legal knowledge and skills to prepare them for the real-world challenges they’ll face. 

In this 4-episode podcast series, published from September onwards in our podcast channel Talk innovation: Patent professional edition, you will hear experts discuss the reasons for this reform as well as learn about its benefits for candidates. We’ll go into detail about what this reformed approach looks like and explore how next year’s new Paper F will help candidates with mastering the legal foundations they will rely on during their entire career. 

Almost 8% of patent filings at the EPO in 2023 were for computer technology, which includes the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence. But which types of AI are growing especially fast and why? What do experts mean when they say that 2024 is the year of the embodiment of AI? And could the next superantibiotic be designed by AI?  

Moderator: 

Jeremy Philpott, EPO Communications manager 

Guests:  

Wiebke Hinrichs, EPO patent examiner 

André Fonseca dos Santos, EPO patent examiner 

Is offshore wind energy the key to solving the climate crisis? A recent joint report reveals insightful findings, highlighting challenges and opportunities in this growing sector. Join study authors from the European Patent Office and International Renewable Energy Agency as they discuss this clean energy source.