The Hidden Gap Between Great Science and a Great Patent — Two Perspectives on IP Strategy for Researchers and Startups —

Researchers and deep-tech startups pour everything into pushing their technology to its highest potential, and that pursuit of excellence is exactly what drives real innovation forward. But did you know that being technically excellent and holding a patent that wins in business are, in fact, two different things? 

Take the Yamanaka factors, the discovery that made iPS cells possible. This world-changing invention was once boxed in by someone else's patent. Why did that happen? 

In this seminar, patent attorney Dr. Yutaka Morita will use real-world cases as a starting point to explain, from two perspectives, what it really takes to build a patent that's truly strong for your business. 

This is a perspective every researcher and startup should have, regardless of technical field or research area, so we hope to welcome a wide range of participants, whatever your specialty. The content will also be explained in a way that's accessible to those with no prior knowledge of patents, so please feel free to join no matter your current level of familiarity with IP. 

To attend this seminar, please sign up from this form.

Who should attend 

• Startups and researchers considering patenting their technology 
• Those who support researchers through industry-academia collaboration 
• Anyone who has ever assumed "better technology = better patent" 

Lecturer

Yutaka Morita, Ph.D.
Patent Attorney (Benrishi), Founding Partner, Morita & Otani IP

Dr. Yutaka Morita is a Japanese patent attorney (benrishi) and founding partner of Morita & Otani IP, a boutique firm specializing in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and IT. Over more than a decade of practice he has built and defended patent portfolios across the US, Europe, China, Japan, Korea, and other jurisdictions, with particular depth in genome editing, iPS cells, antibody engineering, ADCs, RNA therapeutics, and regenerative medicine. He has served on a Japan Patent Office working group responsible for revising the Examination Guidelines and the Examination Handbook, and was awarded the Grand Prize in the IP BASE Award (IP Expert category). His practice centers on bridging the gap between scientific excellence and business-winning patents.

Seminar Overview

• Date: Tuesday, December 1st, 2026
• Time: 2:30-4:30 pm
• Venue: L4E48, Lab 4, OIST
• Registration Form: OIST Innovation Seminar: The Hidden Gap Between Great Science and a Great Patent – フォーム​に記入する
• Inquiries: vd@oist.jp