Chapter 11 - Leveraging intellectual property for the development of genome edited crops by public research institutes

Abstract

This chapter introduces key intellectual property principles relevant to genome-editing in plants, from the perspective of public research institutions. It provides tools for early assessment of the institution's Freedom To Operate (FTO) for a given genome-editing project, and on a country-specific basis. In the initial design steps of such projects, it is useful to consider different genome-editing methods, in order to maximize FTO on the target markets. The FTO analysis is straightforward for pure academic research projects. In contrast, FTO analysis is more complex for projects that could lead to a product available for commercial introduction. Simplified chart flow diagram are presented for the assessment of FTO. Finally, practical methods are introduced for increasing FTO and obtaining the necessary licenses.