Science at Work 3
The Essentials of Due Diligence and Commercialization
1:00 p.m., Thursday, 15 October
Room 532
Presenters
David S. Smith, JD
Attorney at Law
Pepper Hamilton LLP
Harold (Hank) Safferstein, PhD, JD
Executive in Residence
Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse
John Glicksman, JD
Vice President and General Counsel
Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse
“Due diligence” has become the catchphrase for an investor’s evaluation of a company’s ability, especially given its intellectual property (IP) assets, to commercialize its technology. Due diligence that raises questions about the scope or even the ownership of a company’s IP, or reveals structural problems in the company’s contractual arrangements with its key employees or strategic partners, can lead an investor to rescind its proposed investment. This panel will review the fundamental do’s and don’ts of due diligence and discuss strategies that young companies can adopt before talking with investors to turn term sheets into investments.