Entrepreneurship, patent and intellectual property rights

Course Code: BM622E

Institution:

Biomedical Science

Revision:

1

For students admitted spring 2012   spring 2011  

Approval

The course was established 22 November 2006.
This course syllabus (version 1) was approved 01 March 2007 by the Faculty Board of Health and Society .
The syllabus is valid from 17 January 2011.

Education level

Second cycle

Course description

The aim of the course is to provide knowledge required to establish a new company by putting focus on the development and presentation of a business plan in the area of biomedical and biotech industry. Additionally, the course aims at stimulating collaboration with industry in Malmö-Copenhagen area (Öresund region) and provides the knowledge on how to commercialise a business idea within the public and private business sectors.

Advancement in relation to the degree requirements

The course is given in the second semester of the Master Programme Biomedical Methods and Technology. The course can also be taken as a freestanding course.

Entry requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree (180 hp) or equivalent with a major in chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical technology, biomedical methods and technology, biomedical laboratory science or in other areas of natural, medical, engineering sciences or technology with a minimum of 15 hp in chemistry and/or biochemistry.
2. The equivalent of English B in Swedish secondary school.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the student should be able to
- explain the main practical points and actions leading to establishment of a product or service based company in the area of biomedical and biotech industry,
- discuss the differences in realising a business idea when starting up a new company or promoting the idea within an already established enterprise,
- critically assess the potential of business ideas and discus intellectual property rights which are relevant to the business idea, and
- compile realistic and achievable business plan.

Assessments

To pass the following is required: approved reports, seminars, written and oral presentation of business plan.

Retake

Students who fail examinations have two further opportunities to retakes. Furthermore, students have the opportunity to retake these examinations during the course to avoid subsequent interruption to follow on courses. If the course ceases or goes through major changes, students retain the right to two retake within one year based on the original course content. Examinations and retakes are scheduled throughout the course timetable.

Course content

The course provides knowledge needed to develop a convincing and executable business idea. The course considers the essential criteria for the development of business idea, business strategies and business models justified by market needs, competitor analysis, business communication and marketing, profiling, and branding. Economic aspects of entrepreneurship are highlighted by discussing selling strategies, managing human and financial resources, and estimating budget, investment and venture capital needs. Students apply these entrepreneurial considerations for assessing the profitability of their own business idea and planned business activity. Studies of intellectual property rights elucidate the importance of legal rights. The difference between the product and service based business ideas is discussed. Entrepreneurs in the area of biomedical and biotech industry in the Malmö-Copenhagen region are invited to share their experience in establishing, running, succeeding and failing with business ideas.

Learning activities

The course is based on close collaboration with Biomedical and Biotech Industry at Malmö-Copenhagen (Öresund region) area. Entrepreneurs from these industries are invited to share their expertise in form of lectures and discussions. The course requires that every student develops his/her own business idea in the area of Biomedical and Biotech industry. The business idea becomes the main focus of the studies. Starting with the identification of own business idea the student compiles a commercially realistic and executable business plan, which is finally delivered as a written report and presented by an oral presentation. Teaching forms include lectures, seminars, and independent studies. Web-based reporting, communication and distribution of education materials are used.

Grading system

Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). ECTS grading system can be used on students demand.

Reading list and other media

Kubr, T., Marchesi, H. and Ilar, D. (1998)Starting up. Achieving success with professional business planning. Zurich: McKinsey & Company, Inc., pp. 230.

Mehta, S. S. (2008) Commercializing successful biomedical technologies. Basic principals for the development of drugs, diagnostics and devices. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 335.

Scientific papers will be added.

Course evaluation

A comprehensive course evaluation is carried out at the end of the course. The students are asked to evaluate the quality of the course based on the learning outcomes and how these have been realized. The course coordinator discusses the evaluation results with the students at a pre-announced occasion. The evaluation is subsequently summarized and published on the course website. The evaluation is also discussed the next time the course is given.