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How to Evaluate Your Patents for Investor Interest [Hybrid Event]
When & Where
Date: November 18, 2025
Time: 5:30 – 8:00 PM
Location: Both In-Person at the Cambridge Innovation Center (5th Floor Havana Room) in Cambridge, MA and Online
Parking: The building garage entrance is on 3rd Street. Additional parking options are available at the CIC
In-Person attendees will have the opportunity to meet and network with our distinguished panel of speakers
SPONSOR TABLES AVAILABLE – $300 (details below)
Abstract
Thinking about a round of funding for your business? Join us for an essential panel discussion on “How to Evaluate Your Patents for Investor Interest” during which we will demystify the process of assessing your intellectual property (IP) to position you for attracting and securing capital.
This event is designed for startups, entrepreneurs, and inventors who want to understand how potential investors view and value IP portfolios, including patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. A healthy IP portfolio is an asset that supports market penetration and growth and protects market share. It also demonstrates a company’s competitive advantage and respect for protecting investments.
Our expert panel includes a corporate in-house counsel, a corporate banker, and a university technology licensing officer. The panelists will share their unique perspectives on what makes an IP patent portfolio strong and how to present it effectively to investors.
The panel will cover the concept of an IP audit — a useful process for evaluating the health and strength of your IP portfolio. We will also discuss assessment of open source software (OSS) license compliance and the effect of non-compliance on your IP. An IP audit allows you to evaluate and address weaknesses in your IP portfolio proactively, enabling you to present a data-backed case for investment. Think of it as due diligence for your intellectual property, helping you to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your IP to maximize your company’s potential for investment.
Agenda
- 5:30 – 6:00: Networking with Pizza and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
- 6:00 – 7:30: Panel discussion followed by Question-and-Answer session (Online participants join at this time)
- 7:30 – 8:00: More Networking
Moderator
Deirdre Sanders – Principal, Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds
Tickets
MDG Boston Members: $25
Non-Members: $35
Students: $20
Online – Free (Join us on Zoom at 6:00 PM)
$300 Sponsor Table:
Includes a complimentary ticket for a guest (= 2 total free registrations), approximately 3 minutes of microphone time for introductions, and branding on MDG Boston’s promotional materials (assuming a sponsor is signed up prior to MDG Boston’s distribution of promotional materials).
For sponsorship details contact: wmunger@mdgboston.org
Panelists
MODERATOR
Deirdre Sanders
Principal, Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds
Deirdre has 30 years of experience in strategic biotechnology and life sciences patent prosecution counseling. She is dedicated to guiding clients through the identification, protection, and management of intellectual property (IP) rights to achieve their business goals. Deirdre’s patent practice is focused in the field of biotechnology with an emphasis in the areas of biologics, including antibody-based therapeutics, biomarkers, pharmaceuticals, gene editing, medical devices, drug discovery/development, precision medicine, immuno-oncology, immunotherapy, bioinformatics, assays and protein-based sensors.
Mitch Sanders, PhD
Chief Executive Officer, ProDevLabs LLC
Mitchell C. Sanders, Ph.D. is a Serial Entrepreneur, C-Level Executive, and Scientist developing advanced wound care products for the past 30 years with 25 peer reviewed publications and 45 world-wide patents. Over the past 20 years Dr. Sanders has secured over $65M in strategic partnerships for new product development for his lab. Dr. Sanders was founder and CEO of ECI Biotech (1998-2016), and his company developed the first infection diagnostic for chronic wounds (Bacterial Status), sold by WoundChek Labs. He later worked at Alira Health as CSO, Board Member, and Founder/CEO of two additional startups (WoundForce Inc., and Firefly Innovations, LLC) that he sold to Alira Health.
David A. Fogel, CPA
Member, TBD Angels &
Managing Director of Swifton CFOs LLC
As a contributor to the ongoing development of greater Boston’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, he has been an active presenter and panelist with TechStars, MassChallenge, Harvard Medical School, Life Science Nation (RESI Conferences), CleanTech Open, Mass Innovation Network, Greentown Labs, Startup Boston, Tufts University, Babson College, Brown University, Brandeis University, TiE Boston, Enterprise Forum, MIT Smart Start Program, M2D2, MDG, Mass General Hospital Institute, and YouthCities.
David is an Adjunct Instructor of Finance at Northeastern University where he currently teaches Entrepreneurial Finance. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Karen Sinclair
Director of Intellectual Property, Harvard University Office of Technology Development
Karen oversees the development of Harvard’s patent portfolio. Working closely with other Directors in OTD, Karen advises on OTD-wide productivity as well as patent strategies to maximize the value of IP to facilitate commercialization efforts. She has the honor of directing a team of skilled attorneys and paralegals who secure Harvard’s patent rights and fulfill Harvard’s patent related obligations.
Katie Hemphill
Director of Technology Ventures & Talent Network
As Director of Technology Ventures and Talent Network at Northeastern University’s Center for Research Innovation (CRI), the university’s technology transfer office, Katie develops systems for discovering, launching, and scaling new ventures. She manages CRI’s venture programs while cultivating a talent network that guides spinouts from launch through growth. Over the past decade, Katie has been instrumental in strengthening Northeastern’s entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem through strategic partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders. Currently, Katie supports a portfolio of over 50 early-stage spinouts primarily seeking grant, pre-seed, and seed funding to accelerate their technologies and teams toward market readiness.