Teaching Complex Concepts Through Play
What if learning pharmaceutical development could be as engaging as playing Monopoly? That’s the idea behind PATENTIALā¢, a strategy board game that takes players through the complete journey of bringing a drug from laboratory to marketplace.
The Challenge: Most people don’t understand why medications cost so much or take so long to develop. Students studying biotech business models needed a way to experience the real-world pressures, risks, and rewards of pharmaceutical innovation.
The Solution: A board game where players raise investment money, obtain patents, navigate FDA approval, and bring products to market while dealing with patent interferences, litigation, and generic competitionāall the real challenges I’ve witnessed in 30+ years of biotech patent law.
The Impact: Used by universities worldwide as a teaching tool – Featured in business and biotech education seminars – Helps players understand the intersection of science, law, and business – Makes complex concepts accessible and memorable.
Current Status: The original 2 printings of the board game are sold out, but technology has evolved. I’m currently updating PATENTIALā¢ for modern digital platforms while preserving the educational value that made it effective. It is free, just click the above link.
For Educators: Interested in using PATENTIALā¢ for teaching? Contact me about educational licensing and availability. The game works particularly well for: – Business school courses on innovation and IP – Biotech/pharmaceutical education programs – Professional development in life sciences companies – Anyone teaching the intersection of science, law, and business
The Bigger Picture: PATENTIALā¢ represents my belief that complex professional concepts can be made accessible through creative teaching methods. It’s the same principle behind all my workābringing analytical rigor to unexpected places.