Kidney Concepts

Before we, Baxter, will consider reviewing an idea, both parties, must agree that it must be done on a non-confidential basis. "Non-confidentiality" means that Baxter is not required to keep your idea a secret and that, if your idea is not protected by a patent, Baxter is free to use your idea for any purpose.

You can protect your rights to an idea by filing a patent application preferably before you submit your idea to Baxter. If your idea is protected by a patent, neither Baxter nor anyone else can use it without a license from you. If your idea cannot be protected by a patent, anyone can use it.

The decision about how much, or how little information you disclose to us is your choice. But remember that the less you tell Baxter about your idea, the harder it will be for Baxter to judge its potential. In other words, tell us enough so we can judge the idea, but not so much that you disclose proprietary information.

We will give you an indication of our level of interest in your idea within a month of receiving it. If we are not interested we will return all of your materials. If we do wish to proceed, a coordinator will circulate the idea to the formal review board. We may at this stage ask for further clarification of certain points; it is your choice if you wish to supply this information.

The KidneyConcepts review board meets every quarter, and we will notify within one month after each review board if we wish to progress with the idea. If your idea has not been previously submitted to Baxter by others or previously developed within Baxter, and if Baxter has a commercial interest in your idea, we will contact you to enter into discussions and possible negotiations for a patent licensing or purchasing agreement.

Baxter makes no promise that it will use your idea. If your idea is protected by patent, you make no promise that you will grant a license to Baxter. This guideline simply states that your idea is being submitted only for evaluation. In addition, even if Baxter would like to have a license to use your patented idea, it is your prerogative to grant a license.

In order to effectively evaluate each idea submitted to KidneyConcepts.com, it is necessary for a number of people to evaluate each idea. Idea submissions can only be accepted in writing. Ideas believed to be patentable may be submitted to Baxter in any of three ways:

• File an application for a patent, wait until the patent is granted, and then bring the patent to our attention.
• File an application for a patent and then submit a copy of the application for Baxter's consideration.
• Prepare a detailed, written description and detailed sketches, if possible, of the idea or suggestion.  You should sign and date each page of the submission.  At least one and preferably two other people who did not participate in the development of the idea and who have no financial interest in the idea or suggestion should countersign each page. This will provide written documentation of your invention record.
  
  

The submission should be less than 6 pages (excluding patent and other supporting material) and should address the following points:

• The purpose of the concept.
• Description of the technology or idea in sufficient detail to provide Baxter with an adequate understanding of the proposal to asess Baxter's interest in the concept. Use one of the above options for submitting ideas.
• Description of the current market environment for the concept.
  Methods used today, and any published scientific references.
• List of relevant patents or patent applications, owned by yourself or others.
• Description of the state of development of the concept. If the technology requires additional development, provide a description of the resources required to prove the concept (in vitro tests, animal studies, clinical trials, etc.).
• Other important information.
  

We do not want the technology behind an idea explained in detail. Do not reveal everything about the idea if it is not patent protected.

The submission MUST BE accompanied by a signed copy of the nonconfidential disclosure agreement.

Please review the material in the Rights and Agreements sections before submitting your idea.