Journal

CIPA joins UK trade delegation to promote the value and importance of patents

In June, CIPA President Bobby Mukherjee and Deputy Chief Executive Neil Lampert joined a UK trade delegation to Geneva to speak with World Trade Organization (‘WTO’) permanent representatives, ambassadors, trade counsellors and other diplomats on a variety of trade and business issues – including the importance of patenting to global innovation.

The delegation was organised by the International Chamber of Commerce, United Kingdom (‘ICC UK’) with strong support from the UK Mission and featured a special session at the World Intellectual Property Organization (‘WIPO’), attended by a number of representatives of national missions to the United Nations, WTO and WIPO.

Neil Lampert presented a report jointly produced by ICC UK, CIPA and the IP Federation, entitled ‘Why Patents Are Essential for Innovation and Growth’, featuring five powerful case studies, to demonstrate to delegates the vital role that patents play in driving innovation and the dangers posed by the removal, even if temporary, of such important IP rights. The report concludes:

‘Far from being a barrier, patents are a bridge to innovation, investment, and inclusive growth. For all countries, strengthening patent protections is essential to building sustainable, competitive economies and becoming active players in the global innovation landscape. Innovation needs protection to grow and thrive. Weakening or removing patent rights will disincentivise innovation and deter investment in essential technologies for the future.’[1]

This session featured impactful presentations from representatives of two of case study companies, Dr Stephen Wells of UK vaccine pioneers EnsiliTech and Isabel Pulido from the ground-breaking Colombian start-up NanoFreeze, which is set to disrupt the global refrigeration industry. They outlined the critical role that patents had played in the launch of their university spin-outs, and the negative effects that any roll-back of patent protection would pose for them and similar start-ups.

At the WTO, the delegation heard from Simon Manley, UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN in Geneva. He provided an overview of the UK’s key priorities for the multilateral trade agenda and WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in CameroonMarch 2026

In another session, ‘Strengthening the Participation of Small Business and Developing Countries in Global Trade and Supply Chains’, Barbadian Ambassador Matthew Wilson, Chair of the WTO MSME Informal Working Group, specifically referenced the importance of IP to small businesses. During the same session we also spoke with South Africa’s Ambassador Dr Mzukisi Qobo, G20 Presidency, about the importance of patents to empower SME growth. Both men were presented with copies of our report.

One of Bobby’s priorities as President is to tackle ‘anti-IP initiatives’ in the run up to MC14, such as IP waivers and compulsory licensing initiatives, that have emerged across the international landscape. He is concerned that green technologies could be next affected. The visit to Geneva should be seen in this context. On becoming President, Bobby said:

‘Businesses cross-sector must not be disincentivised from investing in green technologies. If that were allowed to happen through, say the introduction of waivers/exceptions, everyone would lose out. It is incredibly important for us to work with government, pro-IP actors such as WIPO and other like-minded bodies to help articulate the value and importance of IP for businesses of all sizes and the wider society, through real-world examples. We must effectively counter any IP misconceptions or emotive “anti-IP” arguments, backed up by hard evidence.’

Neil Lampert, Deputy Chief Executive

[1] Download the report at https://www.cipa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Report-on-Patents-Innovation-and-Growth-ICC-UK-CIPA-IP-Federation.pdf.