What does patent strategy really look like inside a large, innovation-driven corporation?

In this episode of Patent Matters, hosts Mie Rasmussen and Dave Hunt go inside the corporate IP function with Lars Balzer Nielsen, a veteran patent leader with 25 years of experience shaping patent strategy in the diabetes and obesity care industry.

Drawing on his background as a former patent examiner, European patent attorney, and PhD in chemical engineering, Lars shares a rare, candid perspective on how large companies make real-world IP decisions — far beyond theory and checklists.

Together, they explore:

• How patent strategy should support business strategy — not exist on its own
• When to patent vs. keep innovations as trade secrets
• How companies decide where to file patents under budget and uncertainty
• Managing long product life cycles, evolving portfolios, and freedom-to-operate risks
• Building strong, cross-functional IP teams across science, legal, and business
• Preparing for litigation, competition, and the unexpected
• What startups and universities should consider when building early patent portfolios

Lars also shares five hard-earned principles for managing corporate IP teams — from relationship-building and long-term thinking to clear communication and courageous decision-making.

Whether you work inside a corporation, advise innovative companies, or are simply curious about how major players protect and defend innovation, this episode offers an inside look you won’t want to miss.

Welcome back to Patent Matters!

In this episode, COO Brad Buehler and co-founder Jonathan Skovholt dive into the world of patentability searching—the critical process of determining if your invention is truly novel. They discuss how professional searching has evolved over the past three decades, moving from physical search rooms to sophisticated digital platforms.

🔍 What You'll Learn

• The Evolution of Searching: Hear about the drastic changes in patent searching, from dial-up to the specialized, technology-focused approach used today.
• The Power of AI: Brad and Jonathan explore how Artificial Intelligence is now considered the "fourth pillar" of patent searching, making analysts faster and more effective.
• Generative AI (GenAI): Get a breakdown of the surprising rise of GenAI (GPT-style models) and its role in analysis, summarization, and quickly getting a "lay of the land" on complex patent documents.
• Automated Searching: When is an AI-only search enough? The discussion focuses on using automated searching for cost-effective and rapid first-pass analysis, especially for making quick filing decisions and screening a high volume of invention disclosures.
• The Human Element: Discover the key pitfalls of blindly trusting algorithms and why the expertise of a professional searcher—understanding technology and IP law—remains vital for comprehensive and high-quality results.

Whether you're an inventor, an IP professional, or simply curious about how technology is changing legal analysis, this episode offers essential insights into how AI is redefining the future of innovation protection.

In this episode of Patent Matters, host Dave Hunt welcomes Siamak Riahi and Vivek Katiyar, co-founders of Riahi Patents, for a deep dive into the evolving world of patent strategy—especially for startups.

What you'll hear:

• The story behind Riahi Patents and its mission to support startups and SMEs

• Why skipping patent searches can be a costly mistake

• How AI is transforming patent search and analysis—and where it still falls short

• The importance of combining human expertise with the right tools to build robust IP strategies

Whether you're a founder, patent professional, or tech enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into navigating the patent landscape with confidence and clarity.