At Luminex, a subsidiary of DiaSorin Group, we believe that innovative spirit and significant investment in our R&D programs are essential to delivering products that will make a powerful difference for scientists and patients. To leverage the value of that innovation, as well as ensure our technology’s proper usage, we know it is vital to invest in protecting our intellectual property. For that, we count on Friedrich Laub, Vice President of Intellectual Property for Luminex and DiaSorin Group. Originally a native of Germany, Friedrich initially came to the US to complete his PhD in molecular biology and genetics and proceeded to earn his JD at New York Law School. He joined the company in 2022.
Q: What are your responsibilities at Luminex?
A: I cover everything related to intellectual property, from patents and copyrights to trademarks and trade secrets. I’m responsible for intellectual property strategy and execution, patent portfolio creation and management, as well as IP litigation and general counseling. I do that on a global scale for Luminex, DiaSorin Inc., DiaSorin Italia, and DiaSorin Molecular.
Q: How did you get started on this career path?
A: Science is a common pursuit on the maternal side of my family. My mother studied biology in university and her father was a biology professor and ran an ornithology research institute. Ultimately, I made a mid-career switch when I realized that the often very long delay between work input and reward in science made research a type of work that I wasn’t suitable for in the long run. Colleagues of mine had made the switch to patent law before I did, so I took that as a template. After having been a researcher for several years, I became an intellectual property attorney, working first in law firms in New York and later at Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Q: What drew you to DiaSorin Group?
A: I’m very grateful for the opportunity to join Luminex and DiaSorin because it checked most, if not all, of my boxes. I liked the idea of working for a European company in the US, and DiaSorin is based in Italy with a significant US footprint. I feel at home at DiaSorin because it’s kind of a US-European hybrid, and I consider myself such a hybrid too, in a sense. The new job was also a step up for me with a larger scope of responsibility than I had before. I thought that moving to a new company and location in the US would keep me on my toes and keep things interesting.
Q: If you could solve any clinical or genetic challenge, what would it be?
A: Recently, there were studies reporting genetic mutations that appear to protect against Alzheimer’s disease, and I found them fascinating. We need to consider new ideas in this area especially because many of our therapies have not proven to be as successful as we’d hoped. Protective mutations like these are a great reminder that the natural laboratory is a treasure trove for clinical research.
Q: If you weren’t at Luminex, where would you be?
A: Sometimes I daydream about going into politics. The older I get, the more it bothers me that certain things are not addressed properly in terms of politics and policy.
Q: What is something about you that no one at Luminex knows?
A: I was a Boy Scout when I was a teenager. We did wonderful things like hiking trips, where we made a big effort to use as little plastic as possible with our tents and other tools. We also traveled abroad to Sweden and went on a bicycle trip from Paris to Northern Spain, for example
Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on the weekend?
A: I’m learning kite surfing. I think it’s beautiful and I figured if I don’t do it now, I probably never will. I’m taking lessons and making progress, but it is demanding — that’s for sure!