Innovative businesses also lauded at annual IP Awards
More resources, training programmes and advisory services will be extended to deepen IP competency in Singapore’s wider innovation sector, including freelance creative professionals.
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) will partner NTUC-affiliated association, the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (VICPA) to raise IP awareness and proficiency among creators in Singapore over the next few years. This was announced by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and Second Minister for Law, Mr Edwin Tong SC, at IP Week @ SG, the annual global IP conference held in Singapore.
The collaboration will include joint efforts to:
• Promote the understanding of IP among freelance creative professionals and youth through IP awareness programmes and campaigns;
• Help VICPA members to extract and enhance the IP value from their works with resources such as guidelines, best practices, case studies; and
• Equip creators to manage and monetise their IP through training programmes on IP licensing, negotiation, and commercialisation of creative works.
Examining the economic contribution of IPR-intensive industries, including those within the creative sector, a recent IPOS study found that one in five jobs created in Singapore between 2017 and 2021 were from IPR-intensive industries, and employees from IPR-intensive industries were paid 9.2 percent more than industries that did not use IP intensively.
“Singapore is committed to deepening IP awareness and providing greater resources to businesses and individuals, including those in the creative sector, to better protect, manage, and monetise their IP. This is aligned with one of the key objectives of our Singapore IP Strategy 2030 – to build a savvy workforce that is adept at capitalising IP for growth,” said Minister Tong.
IPOS also announced the extension of other partnerships to continue strengthening IP capabilities among business and IP professionals.
• Continued upskilling initiatives with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Academy for businesses and IP professionals in the region over the next five years to use IP as a tool for sustainable growth and development. This follows the success of an earlier Executive Training Programme, which attracted a global and diverse participation across different industries.
• Extended partnership with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) over another three years to enhance the maritime sector’s IP capabilities, such as training companies and MPA to develop IP strategies, and to help maritime enterprises, startups and research institutions commercialise their IP.
In its thirteenth edition, IP Week @ SG 2024 aims to demonstrate the impact of collaboration by bringing together 90 partners across various sectors, and over 4,500 international delegates, global IP thought leaders, and enterprises to discuss the latest topics on innovation and IP, including valuation, commercialisation, emerging technologies and dispute resolution.
The event also recognised enterprises for their exemplary innovation at the annual WIPO-IPOS IP for Innovation Awards. Hailing from the manufacturing, robotics, semiconductor, and infant care sectors, the enterprises were recognised for the outstanding use of IP in their business. More details on this year’s winners and their IP journeys are available in Annex A.
For media queries, please contact:
IPOS
Ms Cherie Koh
Senior Assistant Director, Media & Communications
Tel: +65 6330 2705
Cherie_koh@ipos.gov.sg
Ms Jenny Kwok
Senior Assistant Director, Media & Communications
Tel: +65 83337231
Jenny_kwok@ipos.gov.sg
About IPOS
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) helps businesses use IP and intangible assets to grow. We are committed to building Singapore into an international hub for intangible assets and IP to drive Singapore’s future growth. We are a government agency under the Ministry of Law. www.ipos.gov.sg
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ANNEX A
Winners of the WIPO-IPOS IP For Innovation Awards 2024
In its 12th edition, the World Intellectual Property Organization-Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (WIPO-IPOS) IP For Innovation Awards celebrates Singapore enterprises that have achieved outstanding growth through the successful use of intellectual property (IP).
WIPO National Award For Enterprises (Overall Winner)
Awarded to the most outstanding recipient of the IPOS IP For Innovation award.
Nanofilm Technologies International Limited
Engineering and Manufacturing Sector – A leading provider of nanotechnology solutions
Listed on the Mainboard of Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”) on 30 October 2020, Nanofilm Technologies International Limited (“Nanofilm”) is a leading provider of nanotechnology solutions, offering coating services, thin-film coating equipment, nanofabrication, and fuel cell solutions.
Established in 1999 as a spin-off from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and headquartered in Singapore, Nanofilm specialises in advanced materials and nanoproducts. With over two decades of pioneering technologies, the company’s actions are driven by its dedication to assisting customers in achieving their objectives and promoting sustainability.
Nanofilm continuously expands its IP portfolio with a commitment to spend more than 7% of annual group revenue on research and development and engineering expenses. The establishment of the NTI-NTU Corporate Laboratory in October 2023 and collaborations with key partners also underscore its commitment to innovation.
Nanofilm has a global footprint of more than 3,000 employees in Singapore, China, Japan, Vietnam and now Europe.
IPOS IP For Innovation Award Winners
Recognises IP Champions who have leveraged the effective use of IP to innovate, transform and grow their business. These IP Champions have emerged stronger with their IP and inspired others through their resilience and forward-looking approach.
1. Nanofilm Technologies International Limited
(Write-up as above)
2. Hegen Pte Ltd
Fast Moving Consumer Goods Sector – Motherhood and infant care industry
To enhance and create a positive breastfeeding journey for parents, Hegen was established in Singapore in 2015 to modernise a feeding system that advocates breastfeeding, protects breastmilk integrity, and simplifies how mothers express, store and feed. As a global brand designed by a mother for mothers, Hegen champions sustainability through innovative, practical and high-quality breastfeeding products that can be easily adapted to meet the evolving needs of a child, extending beyond a bottle.
Hegen’s commitment goes beyond creating products. The Hegen Lactation Centre further crafts a holistic Hegen experience by offering antenatal education, lactation consultations, and training to guide mothers on their unique nursing journey.
Its multi-faceted approach to IP protection is a testament of their dedication to foster global brand credibility, attract overseas partners and enhance collaboration opportunities. Leveraging an extensive network, Hegen is currently available in 24 international markets, including China and the United States.
3. OTSAW Digital Pte Ltd
Robotics Sector – A global pioneer in advanced robotics technologies and next-generation artificial intelligence
Each year, countless businesses turn to OTSAW for innovative solutions. But for OTSAW, innovation is more than just progress — it is disruption.
Headquartered in Singapore, OTSAW’s mission is to revolutionise the healthcare, security, and logistics sectors with its cutting-edge autonomous robotic systems and artificial intelligence technology. Founded in 2015, the global team operates beyond its headquarters to Boston and Munich. With over 1,000 robots deployed across more than 50 hospitals in 20 countries worldwide, the company is dedicated to advancing new technologies that expand the horizons of innovation, aiming to enhance safety, operational efficiencies, and overall quality of life.
OTSAW continuously invests in research and development to innovate and improve existing products. By incorporating patented designs and technology, OTSAW develops distinctive robotic solutions tailored to clients’ requirements. In 2024, OTSAW unveiled the Camello+, the world’s first multi-purpose robot, challenging the norm of single-purpose robots in the industry and solidifying its role as a leader in disruptive innovation.
4. Zero-Error Systems Pte Ltd
Electronics Sector – Specialises in semiconductor integrated circuit design ensuring power management and data integrity in all environments
Zero-Error Systems (ZES) specialises in high-reliability semiconductor solutions and intellectual properties for space and power management applications.
Founded in 2019 and based in Singapore, ZES has developed patented technologies for radiation-hardened semiconductor integrated circuits. These technologies enable low-cost, commercial-off-the-shelves semiconductor devices for space applications such as low Earth orbit satellites and deep space rovers and landers, ensuring power reliability and data integrity.
Their versatile solutions are also applicable to various power management needs on Earth, including 5G/6G, Internet of Things, servers, and automotive. This technology can be customised for different needs, enabling scalability for both space and terrestrial environments. The IP developed for space can also be reused for commercial applications, offering significantly lower costs while delivering better performance compared to incumbent solutions.
ZES envisions transforming into a globally recognised IP-strong product company in strategic domains such as space, automative, and consumer electronics. To date, ZES has 7 overseas distributors located in US, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and European region.
WIPO National Award for WIPO Users
Awarded to an early adopter who has innovatively used WIPO’s IP services, such as PCT, Madrid and Hague.
Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
Smith+Nephew is a portfolio medical technology business focused on the repair, regeneration and replacement of soft and hard tissue. Their purpose, called “Life Unlimited”, is to restore people’s bodies and their self-belief by using technology to enhance lives. Their 18,000 employees deliver this mission every day, making a difference to patients’ lives through the invention and application of new technologies across their three global business units of Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT and Advanced Wound Management.
Innovation is central to Smith+Nephew’s ability to serve their customers. In 2023, the company launched 20 new products, with nearly half of their revenue growth coming from products launched in the last five years. Key growth platforms include the robotics-enabled CORI Surgical System, EVOS trauma plating platform, and REGENETEN Bioinductive Implant.
Founded in Hull, UK, in 1856, the business now operates in over 100 countries, generating annual sales of $5.5 billion in 2023. Smith+Nephew is a constituent of the FTSE100 (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN).
