“It is a great honor to receive the WIPO National Award for Women Inventors. This recognition not only highlights the scientific research we carry out in Chile, but also underscores the importance of international protection through the PCT system to ensure that our innovations have a global impact. This award is not a personal recognition, but the result of the joint work of many people behind each development, because science and technology are collective achievements. It also reflects the fundamental contribution of all women in science, who with their dedication are driving the country’s progress,” said Dr. Dora Altbir Drullinsky, after becoming the first Chilean woman to receive the WIPO National Award for Women Inventors.
The executive director of the CEDENNA Foundation and Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at Universidad Diego Portales received this prestigious recognition at a ceremony held at INAPI. It is granted by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and highlights those who have used the PCT system to protect and internationalize their innovations, generating a significant impact both nationally and globally. On the occasion, she also thanked the support she received at the two higher education institutions where she has worked: the Universidad de Santiago and Universidad Diego Portales.
The award was presented as part of the commemoration of the 15th anniversary of Chile’s accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the 10th anniversary of INAPI as an International Searching and Preliminary Examining Authority (ISA/IPEA). These milestones reinforce the country’s commitment to protecting intellectual property and internationalizing its innovations, contributing to the growth of science and technology. In the company category, the National Award went to Enaex, a specialist in research and development of mining explosives.
“This recognition is of enormous importance for Chile, because it means that in both cases they enter the gallery of the world’s great inventors, equivalent only to the highest distinctions of international organizations. It raises our prestige in innovation and stimulates the technology transfer ecosystem”, said Esteban Figueroa, Acting National Director of INAPI.
Construction and Mining
Throughout her career, Dr. Altbir has led pioneering research in the field of nanotechnology, driving developments with high impact in key sectors such as mining and construction. In collaboration with other CEDENNA researchers, she has worked on technological solutions such as sustainable nanotechnological concrete and advanced sensor systems for mining, which have been protected under the PCT patent system. These advances not only improve the efficiency and safety of operations, but also contribute to greater competitiveness internationally.
The WIPO National Award, established in 1979, encourages innovation and highlights the importance of intellectual property in economic development. In its version for inventors, this award highlights the contribution of those who drive creativity and progress in their countries. The WIPO National Award for companies, including SMEs, aims to promote the strategic use of intellectual property and encourage organizations to integrate IP into their business operations in innovative ways.
The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is an international agreement administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that facilitates the protection of inventions in multiple countries through a single patent application. By using this system, inventors and companies can seek protection in more than 150 member states, through a route that simplifies the process by saving time, money and effort.
