The first IPICA Regional multi-stakeholder forum took place in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, July 8-9 2015 and was combined with the 3rd International Conference of the PILA Network “Generating Value from Knowledge Transfer” for additional dissemination and multiplication of IPICA project results to a larger audience.

Opportunities were had for networking and sharing of experiences with regional peers and capacity building. The advantages of knowledge transfer and synergies within a network were clearly demonstrated. In addition, the following were reinforced:

(a) importance of generating value from IP in the Latin American and Caribbean Region

(b) Use of the patent system and technological surveillance as a means of adding value to research

(c) Marketing research from the University to the market.

Also, the successful cases of value generated from the exploitation of IP by PILA Network members were enlightening.

Many bilateral and informal meetings were conducted in the course of this event.

Prior to the conference, the project partners held a coordination meeting – on 7^th of July, to review project progress and plan the project activities to be undertaken in the upcoming months.