C23. Securing innovations assisted by AI: navigating the patent maze
Tracks
General Interest
| Thursday, June 5, 2025 |
| 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM |
| Parkside 2 |
Chair & Speakers
Sylvie Tso
Commercialisation and Data security Lawyer
Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers
C23. Securing innovations assisted by AI: navigating the patent maze
Abstract
Intellectual property is the cornerstone of protecting innovations, driving business growth and commercial success. Understanding the intricacies of the patent system and avoiding common pitfalls is crucial for IP managers, investors and researchers alike.
When it comes to AI, the landscape becomes even more complex.
Following a brief overview of the unique nuances and challenges in the patenting process for AI-assisted technologies, our panel of experts will dive into a series of real-world scenarios - exploring common pitfalls, potential disputes, practical solutions and best practice strategies.
Attendees will gain practical insights and actionable advice to help them navigate the patent maze effectively and have the opportunity for Q&A with the panel.
When it comes to AI, the landscape becomes even more complex.
Following a brief overview of the unique nuances and challenges in the patenting process for AI-assisted technologies, our panel of experts will dive into a series of real-world scenarios - exploring common pitfalls, potential disputes, practical solutions and best practice strategies.
Attendees will gain practical insights and actionable advice to help them navigate the patent maze effectively and have the opportunity for Q&A with the panel.
Biography
Sylvie is a lawyer as well as a registered Australian Patent and Trade Mark Attorney and has over 20 years of experience in the IP field. Sylvie has been recognised on numerous occasions in Best Lawyers, IAM Strategy 300, IAM Patent 1000, and World Trade Mark Review for her work in the field of IP transactions. Sylvie currently sits on the IP Advisory Committee for Macquarie University.
Sylvie advises clients on a broad range of IP issues, including issues relating to IP ownership, licensing, protection of IP, non-disclosure, material transfer, collaborative R&D and participation in CRCs; and conducts due diligence on IP transactions. Sylvie regularly delivers IP services to many sectors of the technology based community, including inventors, start-up and established companies, universities, CRCs and research institutions.
Associate Professor Fatemeh Vafaee
A/Professor | School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences
UNSW
Securing innovations assisted by AI: navigating the patent maze
Abstract
Intellectual property is the cornerstone of protecting innovations, driving business growth and commercial success. Understanding the intricacies of the patent system and avoiding common pitfalls is crucial for IP managers, investors and researchers alike.
When it comes to AI, the landscape becomes even more complex.
Following a brief overview of the unique nuances and challenges in the patenting process for AI-assisted technologies, our panel of experts will dive into a series of real-world scenarios - exploring common pitfalls, potential disputes, practical solutions and best practice strategies.
Attendees will gain practical insights and actionable advice to help them navigate the patent maze effectively and have the opportunity for Q&A with the panel.
When it comes to AI, the landscape becomes even more complex.
Following a brief overview of the unique nuances and challenges in the patenting process for AI-assisted technologies, our panel of experts will dive into a series of real-world scenarios - exploring common pitfalls, potential disputes, practical solutions and best practice strategies.
Attendees will gain practical insights and actionable advice to help them navigate the patent maze effectively and have the opportunity for Q&A with the panel.
Biography
A/Prof Fatemeh Vafaee is the Deputy Director (Science) of the UNSW AI Institute (2024–present), a flagship research institute with over 400 academic staff. Previously, she was the Deputy Director of the UNSW Data Science Hub (2022–2024), where she played a key role in its establishment and the expansion of data science capabilities in health across UNSW. In 2017, she founded the UNSW Biomedical AI Laboratory, which has since trained over 30 researchers and contributed to 60+ peer-reviewed high-impact publications. Her research has produced 30+ AI and bioinformatics tools and software packages used by 100+ users/month in over 20 countries. She has secured over $16 million in competitive grants, philanthropic support, and industry research contracts. Fatemeh is also the Founding Director of OmniOmics.AI Pty Ltd, a proprietary company focused on delivering translational personalised healthcare solutions and accelerated drug discovery through advanced AI and integrative bioinformatics. She also serves on the advisory boards of various companies.
Her translational research spans the full innovation pipeline—from proof-of-concept to commercialisation—including a provisional patent for cancer biomarker discovery developed in collaboration with industry and healthcare partners. Highlights include: BREASTTEST Plus: A novel breast cancer blood test developed in partnership with BCAL Diagnostics and launched to market in March 2025, and AlgoraeOS: A drug discovery platform (currently at TRL 4) co-developed with pharmaceutical partners, which has yielded 24 novel drug targets now undergoing preclinical validation.
A/Prof Vafaee’s research excellence and leadership have earned her national and international recognition. She was named one of the 'Top 10 Women in AI in APAC' by AI Magazine (2024), won the Women in AI Asia-Pacific (WAI-APAC) Award in Health (2023), and was runner-up for the WAI-APAC Innovator of the Year. She also received the Mid-career Research Excellence Award from the Australian Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Society (2023).
Ayesha Lee
Principal
Spruson & Ferguson
C23 Securing innovations assisted by AI: navigating the patent maze
Abstract
Intellectual property is the cornerstone of protecting innovations, driving business growth and commercial success. Understanding the intricacies of the patent system and avoiding common pitfalls is crucial for IP managers, investors and researchers alike.
When it comes to AI, the landscape becomes even more complex.
Following a brief overview of the unique nuances and challenges in the patenting process for AI-assisted technologies, our panel of experts will dive into a series of real-world scenarios - exploring common pitfalls, potential disputes, practical solutions and best practice strategies.
Attendees will gain practical insights and actionable advice to help them navigate the patent maze effectively and have the opportunity for Q&A with the panel.
When it comes to AI, the landscape becomes even more complex.
Following a brief overview of the unique nuances and challenges in the patenting process for AI-assisted technologies, our panel of experts will dive into a series of real-world scenarios - exploring common pitfalls, potential disputes, practical solutions and best practice strategies.
Attendees will gain practical insights and actionable advice to help them navigate the patent maze effectively and have the opportunity for Q&A with the panel.
Biography
With a keen focus on the developments in AI, Ayesha is a Principal in Spruson & Ferguson’s Engineering & ICT team, and is a registered Australian Patent Attorney, Australian Trade Mark Attorney and New Zealand Patent Attorney. She works with both local and international clients prosecuting patent and design applications in Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, Ayesha assists her clients in pursuing patent and design protection in jurisdictions such as the US, Japan and Europe.
Her industry roles include EP&T Global as Sustainability Engineer, Ceva DSP Ireland as a digital IC design engineer working on SATA (Serial ATA) storage solutions, and four years as a digital design engineer for Motorola SPS (later to become Freescale Semiconductor) working on SOCs for GSM and GPRS applications.
Ayesha holds a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Honours from University College Cork, Ireland.
Paul Carboon
Soletropy
Securing innovations assisted by AI: navigating the patent maze
Abstract
Intellectual property is the cornerstone of protecting innovations, driving business growth and commercial success. Understanding the intricacies of the patent system and avoiding common pitfalls is crucial for IP managers, investors and researchers alike.
When it comes to AI, the landscape becomes even more complex.
Following a brief overview of the unique nuances and challenges in the patenting process for AI-assisted technologies, our panel of experts will dive into a series of real-world scenarios - exploring common pitfalls, potential disputes, practical solutions and best practice strategies.
Attendees will gain practical insights and actionable advice to help them navigate the patent maze effectively and have the opportunity for Q&A with the panel.
When it comes to AI, the landscape becomes even more complex.
Following a brief overview of the unique nuances and challenges in the patenting process for AI-assisted technologies, our panel of experts will dive into a series of real-world scenarios - exploring common pitfalls, potential disputes, practical solutions and best practice strategies.
Attendees will gain practical insights and actionable advice to help them navigate the patent maze effectively and have the opportunity for Q&A with the panel.
Biography
Paul Carboon is a seasoned MedTech executive with over 25 years’ experience leading ventures from concept through to regulatory approval, capital raise, and commercial success. He has a proven track record in bringing complex diagnostic and software-driven technologies to market, including navigating IEC 62304 and other critical compliance frameworks.
As CEO of Solentropy, Paul works with Australian and international startups across diagnostics, AI-driven platforms, and digital health, supporting regulatory strategy, QMS implementation, and product-market fit. He brings a practical perspective to the intersection of AI, patents, and regulation — grounded in real-world experience delivering commercial outcomes in high-stakes, high-compliance environments.
