News and Events

IP due diligence is a critical step in fundraising, partnering, and acquisition discussions.

This session will demystify what IP due diligence actually entails, including patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses, and what investors and partners look for when evaluating IP risk.

Attendees will also learn how to prepare an effective IP data room and anticipate common diligence questions before they arise.

This seminar will be held in person at the Querrey InQbation Lab which is located in downtown Evanston at 1801 Maple Avenue, Suite 1400, Evanston, IL, 60201.

This is a closed in-person event, open to the Northwestern community (students, staff, faculty and affiliated startups). Please register using your university or startup email address.

​About the Speaker:
Dr. Keith Chadwick is currently an independent patent agent registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office and scientific consultant. He has extensive experience working in the field of intellectual property, with a focus on serving clients in the life sciences. Much of his career has been spent in top international law firms, including Wilson Sonsini, Goodwin Procter and Gemini Law, where his practice included patent drafting, global patent prosecution, and IP due diligence for complex transactions. He also leverages his scientific expertise to advise on technical aspects of IP litigation. Prior to pursuing a career in IP, Dr. Chadwick was professor of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy at Purdue University, where his research focused on drug delivery and pharmaceutical manufacturing, while also providing expert consulting services to industrial clients. 

Join us as we host Eric Heinz, KSM ’22 for a discussion on how MedTech founders can build companies with strategic value and long-term exit potential in mind. Drawing on 25+ years of experience across product development, commercialization, and M&A leadership at companies including Smith+Nephew and Titan Medical, Eric will share what strategic acquirers actually value, common mistakes that make startups harder to acquire, and how founders can build capital-efficient MedTech companies. The session will also explore when startups should engage with strategic partners and what operator-led investors look for at the pre-seed and seed stage.

Key Topics
- How founders can build with the exit in mind
- What strategic acquirers actually value
- Common mistakes that make startups harder to acquire
- Capital-efficient MedTech company building
- When and how founders should engage with strategics
- What operator-led investors look for at the pre-seed and seed stage

A networking reception with refreshments will immediately follow the seminar, providing attendees an opportunity to continue the conversation with Eric and connect with fellow founders, investors, and members of the MedTech community.

This is a closed in-person event, open to the Northwestern community (students, staff, faculty and affiliated startups).  Please register using your university or startup email address.

Contracting Basics
Protect your company by understanding the contracts that protect you.

Contracts form the backbone of every startup’s relationships—with co-founders, employees, contractors, and investors. Yet too often, founders rely on others to handle the details—only to discover too late what they’ve signed away. This session will help you build the confidence and knowledge to review, negotiate, and manage your own agreements effectively.

Lunch will be provided.

Please register by June 11 to help us plan appropriately for catering.

This is a closed in-person event, open to the Northwestern community (students, staff, faculty and affiliated startups).  Please register using your university or startup email address.

About the Speakers

Jay Reilly
Partner, Foley Hoag LLP

Jay Reilly is a seasoned transactional and corporate advisor with deep experience serving clients across the life sciences and high-tech industries. He represents biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic, and digital health companies—as well as universities and nonprofits—in complex strategic transactions, licensing and collaboration agreements, venture financing and mergers and acquisitions. His work spans both domestic and international markets.

Ben Vaughan, PhD
Associate & Registered Patent Attorney, Foley Hoag LLP

Dr. Benjamin Vaughan is a registered Patent Attorney with a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry. His patent practice focuses on chemical and pharmaceutical inventions, and he has specialized knowledge related to industrial process chemistry and alternative energy technologies.

Patent Strategy Pitfalls
Safeguard your innovation by avoiding the missteps that can cost you.

Patents are a cornerstone of protecting breakthrough technologies and building long‑term value. Yet too often, founders and researchers overlook critical details—missing filing deadlines, disclosing too much too soon, or failing to align IP protection with business goals. This session will help you anticipate and avoid common pitfalls, ensuring your patent strategy strengthens rather than undermines your venture.

Lunch will be provided.

Please register by September 10 to help us plan appropriately for catering.

This is a closed in-person event, open to the Northwestern community (students, staff, faculty and affiliated startups).  Please register using your university or startup email address.

About the Speakers

Jay Reilly
Partner, Foley Hoag LLP

Jay Reilly is a seasoned transactional and corporate advisor with deep experience serving clients across the life sciences and high-tech industries. He represents biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic, and digital health companies—as well as universities and nonprofits—in complex strategic transactions, licensing and collaboration agreements, venture financing and mergers and acquisitions. His work spans both domestic and international markets.

Jay regularly advises C-suite executives, boards of directors, and general counsels on governance, fiduciary duties, risk mitigation, and enterprise-wide legal strategy. He frequently serves as a trusted senior advisor to leadership teams and as outside general counsel to companies with lean in-house legal departments.

Ben Vaughan, PhD
Associate & Registered Patent Attorney, Foley Hoag LLP

Dr. Benjamin Vaughan is a registered Patent Attorney with a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry. His patent practice focuses on chemical and pharmaceutical inventions, and he has specialized knowledge related to industrial process chemistry and alternative energy technologies.