Supporting Commercialization, ITB Contributes to the Indonesian Patent Expo by DJKI

Bandung, lpik.itb.ac.id – In commemoration of the 24th World Intellectual Property Day on April 26, 2024, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights through the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DJKI) held a series of activities themed "Intellectual Property and Sustainable Development Goals: Building the Future with Innovation and Creativity". One of the main events in this commemoration was the Patent Expo and Business Forum held from June 11 to 13, 2024, at the Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta. This activity was designed to bridge the gap between inventors and the industry, with the aim of driving the commercialization of domestic innovations.

ITB, through the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (LPIK), participated in this Patent Expo, showcasing various superior innovation products. The exhibited products included methods and tools for making ion exchange membranes (ultrafiltration products), cow dung-based composite materials (COWKA products), propolis-based gauze for wound treatment, catfish oil gummies, impurity-cleansing (najis) soap, and early detection technology for cardiovascular diseases (NIVA). These products are the results of research that are expected to attract industry interest for commercialization.

This activity began with booth preparation and loading of exhibition items on the first day. On June 12, the business forum commenced with the Intellectual Property awards and a panel discussion involving speakers from various sectors, including the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), BRIN, and the Ministry of Agriculture. This discussion provided insights into the importance of collaboration between inventors and industry to drive the downstreaming of patented products.

Rifan Fikri, an Associate Expert Patent Examiner from DJKI, explained that the Indonesian Patent Expo aims to bridge the gap between inventors and industry. This activity serves as a medium to introduce innovations from universities to the industry, so that the resulting technology can be developed and marketed. Rifan hopes that this activity can be a solution to the "valley of death" of innovation, where many patents fail to be commercialized.

On the second day, the business forum was filled with panel discussions and business talks featuring various speakers, including those from Tokopedia, PT Pertamina, and ASPAKI. Presentations from 38 exhibitors, including LPIK ITB, showed the technological progress produced by domestic inventors. Ikhsan Prasetyo, a technology transfer assistant at LPIK ITB, presented the commercialization process that has been carried out by ITB, which is expected to improve understanding and networking between intellectual property centers and industry partners.

Yuni Puji Astuti from the Science Techno Park of the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) and Akvis Fauzi from PT Pertamina Persero appreciated DJKI's efforts in driving patent commercialization and developing the intellectual property ecosystem in Indonesia. They hoped that this activity could be held regularly to strengthen the relationship between the education sector and industry, as well as to increase the economic benefits of the resulting innovations.

Through this year's Patent Expo and Business Forum, DJKI hopes that similar activities can continue to be an effective platform to connect inventors with industry. This step is in line with the government's vision to make Indonesia a highly competitive country in the fields of innovation and technology. The established collaboration is expected to give birth to new innovations that support economic development and community welfare.