Who owns patents and results?

At the start of the collaboration, a Letter of Intent (LOI) is entered between Actar, KIAB and the researchers (click here to Download example). The LOI specifies that if the initial project results are promising, all rights to the patents and technology will be transferred to a joint company owned by Actar, KIAB and the researchers.

Creating an independent legal entity in the form of a Swedish “Aktiebolag” may seem complicated but has several advantages, for example:

• The structure will minimize tax risks for all parts involved, including the researchers

• Both Actar and the researchers will be benefited as share holders in the joint company 

• The joint company containing a candidate drug/lead compound can be divested to a third party

In normal cases if the project is discontinued patents and results are transferred to the founding researchers.