How to Evaluate Your Patents for Investor Interest
When
November 18, 2025
5:30 - 8:00 PM
Where
Online or at the CIC in Cambridge, MA
One Broadway, 5th Floor (Havana Room)
Cambridge,
Massachusetts
02142
Come join MDG Boston and Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds for a panel discussion, “How to Evaluate Your Patents for Investor Interest,” where we’ll demystify the process of assessing your intellectual property (IP) to help you attract and secure investment.
The event will be held in person at the CIC Cambridge, Havana Room (5th Floor), and virtually via Zoom. Refreshments will be provided for in-person attendees.
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
Tickets
- MDG Boston Members: $25
- Non-Members: $35
- Students: $20
- Online – Free (Join us on Zoom at 6:00 PM)
Speakers
Mitch Sanders, Ph.D., CEO, 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. In 2023, Dr. Sanders used a portion of his equity to buy his lab out of the CRO and is currently the owner and Chief Executive Officer of ProDevLabs LLC, a Premier Wound Care R&D and Preclinical CRO in Southborough MA.
Karen Sinclair, Director of IP, 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.
David A. Fogel, Member, TBD Angels & Managing Director of Swifton CFOs LLC
David Fogel is Managing Director of Swifton CFOs LLC, an outsourced consulting firm that provides emerging businesses with strategic and cost-effective financial leadership. He is an active member of the screening and due diligence committees of TBD Angels, and Mass Medical Angels.
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).
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.
