Research driven businesses depend on innovation to develop new products, improve existing technologies and create commercial opportunities. From biotechnology and pharmaceuticals to engineering, advanced materials and information technology, research plays a central role in business development. However, turning research into a commercially successful product can be a lengthy and costly process. Businesses may invest significant resources in experiments, technical development, testing and collaboration before achieving a practical result. Protecting the intellectual property arising from this work is therefore an important part of long term planning. A well structured patent strategy can help research driven businesses protect valuable inventions, manage intellectual property risks and make informed commercial decisions. It can also support investment, licensing and partnerships. By considering patent protection early, businesses can connect their research activities with their wider c...