Too many biotech companies treat IP like a checkbox.
Smart ones prune ruthlessly—and build value, not just volume:
Prune entire families that no longer support the pipeline.
Cut spend in countries with low ROI.
Re-align IP quarterly with product + clinical shifts.
Read below to learn more.
Patent spend can get out of control, unless you prune your company's low value patent families.
This is especially true for biotech companies that are at least 3 years old.
Pruning can be carried out by letting patent applications go abandoned in less valuable countries;
or even by letting entire patent families go abandoned.
Thus, it is important to audit your patent portfolio not only to identify your most valuable patent families, but to identify your least valuable patent families too.
It is important for patent portfolio audits to be performed on a quarterly or annual basis because business, product development and clinical development plans change, and your patent portfolio needs to align with these changes.
Check out our short article to learn more about biotech patent portfolio build strategies in the context of assessing whether you/your patent team is doing a good job of building your patent estate.
About DHL
Double Helix Law (DHL) has decades of experience building strong patent portfolios for life science companies. Learn more about DHL and meet the team.
Want to stay updated on life science patent law? Subscribe to get notified of updates
The content on this website (including all pages, articles, and comments) is not legal advice, and does not and is not intended to form or constitute any attorney-client relationship. The content is not a solicitation for business; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and reflects the personal views of the author(s) only and not those of any past, present, or future client of DHL. Any content should be double-checked for accuracy and current applicability, and liability is disclaimed for any error or omission.
3/29/25 Written by EJV