Forum with former USPTO director to explore ‘blueprints for innovation’ in Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 2, 2025) — UK Innovate, the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) and the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance (KYIPA) — an initiative of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corp. — will host a forum focused on the critical role of intellectual property (IP) in fostering innovation and regional economic development.

The event, Blueprints for Innovation: Intellectual Property in the Bluegrass State, will be 3-5:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at UK’s Gatton Student Center in Ballroom 212A.

The afternoon will feature a range of engaging discussions and presentations, providing valuable insights into the national innovation landscape and the importance of IP.

“For decades, innovative businesses including many in Kentucky have developed and maintained competitive advantage through protection of their technology with IP rights,” said Ian McClure, J.D., UK HealthCare vice president for innovation and UK Research associate vice president for research, innovation and economic impact. “Our ability to compete in fast-evolving technology markets as a region, and globally as a nation, relies significantly in the strength of our IP system, and I look forward to the insights that will be shared by local and national leaders on these important matters right here on our campus.”

The event will include a fireside chat featuring U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, who has sponsored bills in Congress to reform the patent system for stronger IP rights, and Andrei Iancu, board co-chair of C4IP, former undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property and the former director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). 

Attendees will hear a national innovation perspective from Frank Cullen, executive director of C4IP.

“We’re excited to join UK Innovate and KYIPA to highlight how IP drives Kentucky’s growing innovation economy — from its thriving manufacturing sector to cutting-edge research at its universities — and supports entrepreneurship and job creation throughout the Bluegrass State,” said Cullen.

The key panel discussion of the event will bring together a group of experts, moderated by McClure, including:

• Mandy Decker, chair of KYIPA and patent attorney with Stites & Harbison
• Jeffery Langer, general counsel of Zoeller Co.
• Terry Samuel, president of Kentucky Science and Technology Corp.
• Raechele Smalls, director, Invest Blue
• Michael Murray, Spears-Gilbert Associate Professor of Law, UK J. David Rosenberg College of Law

The forum will conclude with a Q&A session followed by a reception. You can register for the forum and find the full agenda online.

This event is free and open to anyone interested in the intersection of innovation and IP in Kentucky.

About the Council for Innovation Promotion
The Council for Innovation Promotion is a bipartisan coalition dedicated to promoting strong and effective intellectual property rights that drive innovation, boost economic competitiveness and improve lives everywhere.

About Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance
KYIPA, an initiative of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation and affiliated with the United States Intellectual Property Alliance, fosters an effective ecosystem and marketplace to facilitate the creation, protection and advancement of intellectual property in Kentucky. By serving as a connecting organization for statewide companies, organizations and innovators, KYIPA helps Kentuckians access, learn about and benefit from IP. Learn more at kyipa.org.

About UK Innovate
UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky drives economic, societal and entrepreneurial growth from research discoveries. Through technology commercialization, healthcare innovations, corporate partnerships, social innovation and economic development, UK Innovate helps researchers and employees across UK Research and UK HealthCare accelerate their ideas into use. By connecting talent, research, corporate partners and community resources, UK Innovate works to move ideas into the world faster, where they can make the greatest societal and economic impact possible. Learn more: www.research.uky.edu/ukinnovate.