IP background: lessons learnt by GEA Procomac

IP background: lessons learnt by GEA Procomac
Milan, 2nd October 2015
Paolo Pagliarini
Luigi Casappa
WHAT GEA Procomac does
•  Automatic machines for forming and filling aseptically PET bottles
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GEA PROPRIETARY
engineering for a better world
GEA Procomac simplified portfolio
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spraying
•  Changeovers without
•  re-sterilization
PAA spraying bottom
•  Team skills building
up
•  Identify right
•  Alternative chemical
machines
confinement
a/o energy based
decontamination
tech
•  XX lines installed
• 5thTechnology
scientific
generation aseptic techn.
•  approach
ECOSpin concept introduced
•  Utility skids optimization
Water usage reduced
30%
• •  Proprietary
Internal
2008
2010
Microbiological isolator
• • •  NCC
to CC to ASIS
Neck handling
LONO for
• USA
LAFDA
regulated
mkt
LA filling technology
Blow Fill technology
• Aseptic
LA «regulated»
introduced
2015
based operation
• • •  Clean
PAAroom
flooding
a/o
Bottom bottle handling
rd Generation
• 3aseptic
LA lines
technology
2009
st Generation
• 1aseptic
HA lines
only
technology
2001
1993
GEA Procomac 22 years of CAF lines:
a continuous learning process
• completed
Preform-cap VHP
•  WW lines installed
•  ZZ lines installed
BUILT IN SAFETY
contamination crise
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2005
1996
2nd Generation
aseptic technology
•  Unibloc SPIN introduced
•  Reduced equipment footprint
•  Simplification of equipment
design and operation
2014
4 Generation
aseptic technology
2012
Understanding
RISK
MNG
th
•  No emission
•  Lowest PAA/H2O2 consumption
•  Reduced Microbiological
Isolator
6th generation
aseptic technology:
ECOSpin2 concept
2011
ECOSpin2 Zero version
Full RISK MNG
•  Elimination of clean room
•  Bottom bottle handling
non condensing tech
•  1 micro-
contamination crises
MAKE
IT WORKS
•  Microbiological isolator
ABF master filing to FDA
•  KISS approach
Type Culture
Collection
•  YY lines installed
•  3 micro-
outside USA
USA FDA new
LONO for LA filling
technology
engineering for a better world
2007
GEA Procomac patents filing trend
GEA acquisition
10 new applications
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engineering for a better world
GEA Procomac IP portfolio and internal benchmark
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engineering for a better world
•  First patent application in 1988 (10 years
after GEA Procomac foundation)
•  Patents changed from a spot argument
(totally delegated outside) to a daily task
Learning
From what we did to what we do
Experience
•  An ongoing learning process started from the consciousness of the field in
which we play
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From what we did to what we do… WHY?
1st LESSON
Engineers of different companies with same background and same way of
thinking
MISSED PATENTS
Competitor filing
3y later
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Competitor filing
3y later
engineering for a better world
From what we did to what we do… WHY?
2nd LESSON
New Product Development: Blowing machines, our competitors pay much
attention to this field (also from IP)
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engineering for a better world
From what we did to what we do… WHY?
3rd LESSON
US issue
Risk management: You cannot manage what you ignore
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GEA PROPRIETARY
engineering for a better world
From what we did to what we do… WHY?
4th LESSON
Competitors IP aggressiveness
Competitor 1
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Competitor 2
engineering for a better world
From what we did to what we do… WHY?
4th LESSON
Competitors IP aggressiveness: best in class
Competitor 3
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GEA PROPRIETARY
engineering for a better world
From what we did to what we do… WHY?
Conclusion from lessons learnings
We play in a difficult field, we needed to change our strategy for Patents
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engineering for a better world
Change direction: the first step…
1.  To start developing competencies «in house»
•  Training course with PoliMI (2007)
•  Training with our consultant (2008)
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…subsequent steps
2.  Work closer with our consultants since the very beginning
FRONT-END CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
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PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
engineering for a better world
…subsequent steps
3.  Start performing some activities by ourselves: priority searches, “tentative”
technology roadmapping
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engineering for a better world
…subsequent steps
4.  New mindset: patents analysis concurrent with technical feasibility
5.  Adopt tools to perform patents activities better and faster
6.  Identify Operational Instructions for patent workflow (submit-assess-decide)
7.  Appoint a patent manager
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A new vision for IP
•  Patents as main source
of information
•  Competitors mapping
Front End
OFFENSIVE STRATEGY
•  Placing landmines/flags
•  Patents for freedom to operate
(front end and development)
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Development
DEFENSIVE STRATEGY
engineering for a better world
IP as part of company’s strategy
Develop
Front End
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IP is one of the criteria to evaluate
a new project (Gate 0, Go/NO Go )
IP is repeatedly checked during
project development
engineering for a better world
Patents related activities: 2015
•  Mapping of new technologies
•  Priority searches to check FTO for new solutions
•  Infringement analysis
•  Filing of new applications
•  Managing of ongoing patent procedures
•  Oppositions – Observations vs. Competitors patents
•  Mapping of competitors new applications (weekly alerts)
•  Periodic check of critical applications procedure (monthly)
IP operationally run as «normal» business with own P&L responsibility
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