WIPO and AFIDRO Empower 19 Colombian Health Startups to Leverage Intellectual Property for Business Growth

Nineteen Colombian startups and small businesses developing health technologies successfully completed Colombia’s first Intellectual Property (IP) Management Clinic tailored for the HealthTech, MedTech, and pharmaceutical sectors. This landmark program was organized jointly by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Colombian Association of Pharmaceutical Research and Development Laboratories (AFIDRO).

Running from October 2025 through March 2026, the six-month clinic aimed to help companies harness intellectual property as a strategic business tool. The initiative focused on enabling participants to attract investment, safeguard their innovations, and prepare for sustainable growth.

The program combined WIPO’s established IP Management Clinic methodology with AFIDRO’s deep connections within Colombia’s health innovation ecosystem. This partnership delivered a practical, business-oriented experience that included personalized mentoring, expert-led workshops, and hands-on tools to integrate IP into each company’s growth strategy.

Over the course of five months, participating companies engaged in five comprehensive workshops covering critical topics such as IP strategy formulation, patent protection, safeguarding confidential business information, financing innovation, and software and data protection.

Each startup also benefited from one-on-one sessions with seasoned IP experts and industry specialists. These consultations culminated in the creation of a customized IP roadmap aligned with the company’s unique business model and market ambitions.

A core objective shared by WIPO and AFIDRO was to shift innovators’ perception of intellectual property from a mere legal obligation to a vital strategic asset. This shift is essential for enhancing competitiveness, securing investment, and facilitating entry into global markets.

One participant emphasized, “The most vital takeaway from the program is that intellectual property is a strategic business asset rather than a mere legal formality; it is a fundamental driver of our valuation, essential for securing investment and facilitating global market entry.”

The success of the program hinged on the complementary strengths of WIPO and AFIDRO. WIPO contributed global IP expertise, practical tools, and access to a network of IP mentors. Meanwhile, AFIDRO mobilized companies, provided industry insights, and ensured the program addressed the real challenges faced by health innovators in Colombia.