Intellectual Property Management Office

The Innovation Fund Intellectual Property Management Office (IPMO) manages several funding instruments aimed at supporting Intellectual Property protection both within the private and public sectors.

The Patent Support Fund and Patent Incentive Fund were created to exclusively provide funding and innovation consulting to publicly financed research institutions. The Patent Support Fund for Small to Medium Enterprises and the Patent Support Fund for the Techno-Entrepreneur were established to support private sector inventions, with the view of increasing Intellectual Property's contribution to South Africa's technological innovation and competitiveness.

This office of patent attorneys and IP specialists includes:

• Senior Patent Attorney: McLean Sibanda.
• Admin Officer: Anita Van Greunen.
• Commercial Lawyer: Malesela Lekoto.
• Commercial Intern: Lethukuthula Mbatha.
• IP Specialists - Biotech: Teresiah Malatji.
• IP Specialists - Biotech: Dr Anu Idicula.
• Innovaton Manager: Ayanda Noma.
• Candidate Patent Attorney: Ntanganedzeni Ranwedzi.
• Candidate Patent Attorney: Chyreene Truluck.
• Candidate Patent Attorney: Charleen Rupnarain.
• Candidate Patent Attorney: Paballo Phiri.
• Candidate Patent Attorney: Mark Johnson.