American Conference
Institute (ACI) will be holding its 7th National Conference on Life Sciences IP
Due Diligence from January 20-21, 2010 in New York.  The conference will allow attendees to:

• Incorporate the
impact of patent reform and new regulations on follow-on biologics into an IP
due diligence review protocol;
• Evaluate the
breadth, strength and validity of the patents at issue in order to predict the
commercial viability of the IP being gained;
• Craft a checklist
that will be most efficient in guiding attendees to obtain the information
needed;
• Quantify the
value of the IP at stake in the deal for both the business and legal teams;
• Uncover and
resolve hidden issues with ownership rights, inventorship, and obligations
under prior contractual agreements;
• Protect and
preserve confidentiality and privilege during the IP due diligence process; and
• Gauge the effect
of the patents in question on the acquiror's freedom to operate.

In particular,
ACI's faculty will offer presentations on the following topics on January 20
and 21:

• Factoring recent
developments in life sciences IP case law, pending patent reform and follow-on
biologics legislation into your due diligence analysis;
• Balancing
competing interests in a changed economy: 
Crafting a diligence review process that incorporates both the business
objectives of the deal and a comprehensive IP assessment;
• Creating a
practical and useful checklist:  A
guide to obtaining the information you need in the most cost-effective manner
by utilizing the right team;
• Evaluating the
scope, breadth, validity, and enforceability of the target's patents under
evolving patent standards and regulatory protocols;
• Incorporating a
valuation calculation into your life sciences diligence review:  Considering criteria that can impact
the overall value of the deal;
• Resolving
ownership rights and inventorship issues arising under the target's prior
contractual, third party and licensing obligations which could impact your
deal;
• Freedom to
operate:  Overcoming obstacles by
ensuring that the purchaser/licensee has the right to commercialize the IP at
issue;
• Protecting
confidentiality, trade secrets, and attorney client privilege during a diligence
review; and
• Academic vs.
commercial:  Handling unique issues
that arise in the context of industry/university collaborations and
intellectual property licenses.

An additional
master class entitled: "Drafting an Effective Due Diligence Report"
will be offered on January 22 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.  During this master class, attendees
will learn how to draft a comprehensive and effective report on due diligence
findings.

A complete brochure
for this conference, including an agenda, list of speakers, and registration
form can be downloaded here.

The registration
fee ranges from $2,195 (conference alone) to $2,795 (conference and master
class).  Those registering by
December 18, 2009 will receive a $200 discount off the registration fee.  Those interested in registering for the
conference can do so here, by calling
1-888-224-2480, or by faxing a registration form to 1-877-927-1563.