Roundtable Highlights How Strong IP Protections Drive Breakthroughs and Benefit Patients
RALEIGH, NC (August 12, 2025) — On Tuesday, August 26, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM ET, the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) and We Work for Health (WWFH) will host a roundtable focused on the pivotal role intellectual property (IP) plays in advancing innovation, economic growth, and patient care across North Carolina.
The roundtable, “Securing U.S. Innovation: The Role of IP in Advancing Life Sciences,” will be held in the North Hills Innovation District.
Featured speakers will include Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-2), along with leading voices in life sciences innovation who will speak to the industry’s statewide impact, including:
- (Moderator) Dan Leonard, Executive Director, We Work For Health
- Frank Cullen, Executive Director, Council for Innovation Promotion
- Jennifer Klein, MS, Operations and Program Management at Odylia Therapeutics; Patient and Advocate
- Jason Adair, Chief Business Officer, Liquidia
- Laura Schoppe, President & Owner of Fuentek, LLC
- Carey Rongitsch, Director, Raleigh/Durham Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC)
North Carolina’s life sciences industry is a powerhouse of innovation and economic growth, supporting more than 226,000 jobs and generating over $80 billion in economic output. With more than 3,000 total clinical trials and over 2 million participants, the state plays a pivotal role in advancing medical research nationwide. This dynamic sector relies on strong intellectual property protections to foster long-term, high-risk investments in cutting-edge medical breakthroughs.
“Strong intellectual property protections are the backbone of American innovation, especially in the life sciences sector where discovery and development require years of investment and risk,” said Leonard. “As a national leader in biotech research and development, North Carolina – home to world-class universities and a thriving innovation ecosystem – plays a pivotal role in advancing life-saving treatments. This roundtable is a critical opportunity to discuss how thoughtful legislative policy can safeguard IP, support our researchers, and ultimately deliver breakthroughs to patients faster.”
“Every breakthrough treatment begins with a spark of innovation – and the security to pursue it,” said Cullen. “Strong IP protections give North Carolina’s researchers and biotech firms the confidence to invest in tomorrow’s medical breakthroughs, supporting patients and strengthening the state’s economy. C4IP is grateful to Congresswoman Deborah Ross and our expert panelists for joining this important conversation on how strong IP policies drive the Tar Heel State’s innovation ecosystem.”
A recording of the roundtable will be made available at a later date.
About the Council for Innovation Promotion: The Council for Innovation Promotion is a bipartisan coalition dedicated to promoting strong and effective intellectual property rights that drive innovation, boost economic competitiveness, and improve lives everywhere.
About We Work For Health: We Work For Health brings together national and local business leaders, and labor, biopharma, patient advocacy, and other healthcare-related stakeholders to support policies and initiatives that foster innovation and facilitate the delivery of lifesaving and life-enhancing medicines.