Industry Innovation and Infrastructure

Please Treat the Information in the Digest as Confidential. Do Not Circulate Outside of the Lex Mundi Network.

If you are interested in a matter, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing Isis Bous and Allison Laubach through the “Ask About This Matter” button on the details page or directly (ibous@lexmundiprobono.org; alaubach@lexmundiprobono.org) and let us know which project(s) interests you. We will place matches with Lex Mundi member firms on a first-come, first-served basis.

You can view all matter summaries on the “Digest” page(s). To view matters by legal need, select the category of interest. See details of individual matters via the “Read More” link in a matter. To view all details of all available matters, choose “View All”.

View by Legal Need
Advocacy/Legislation (2) Consultation (12) Contracts (4) Corporate Governance (1) Data Privacy (4) Employment/Labor (3) Finance/Fundraising (1) Intellectual Property (10) Nonprofit Governance (2) Regulatory (4) Research (3) Risk Management (2) Tax (1) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (9) Webinars/Trainings (1)

Digest |  View All

Neopenda PBC

Data Privacy Consultation

Summary:

Assist a med tech company innovating needs-based health technologies by providing a data privacy consultation and drafting related documents.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Neopenda is a social impact medical device company innovating needs-based health technologies for emerging markets. Neopenda builds solutions alongside the healthcare workers who use them, ensuring every product is designed for the realities of resource-constrained hospitals (primarily in Africa). The company’s flagship product, neoGuard, is a CE-marked, wearable vital signs monitor that provides continuous measurement of four critical vitals for patients in overcrowded, understaffed wards.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Currently the health data Neopenda collects is stored locally on tablets. However, they are evolving their product ecosystem toward data intelligence (e.g., neoCloud/neoIntel features that enable remote data monitoring, analytics, and integration). They are now seeking a comprehensive consultation with an attorney to ensure compliance with relevant data privacy laws and to discuss what they need to be mindful of as they move forward.

Ultimately, they would appreciate assistance drafting/updating any language or documentation that is discussed during the consultation (e.g., privacy policy).  While Neopenda’s parent organization is based in the U.S., the hospitals they work with are in Africa. They understand that the attorney would be advising from the U.S. perspective.

Ask About a Matter
,
Neopenda PBC

Draft Intercompany Agreement(s)

Summary:

Assist a med tech company innovating needs-based health technologies by drafting an intercompany agreement(s).

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Neopenda is a social impact medical device company innovating needs-based health technologies for emerging markets. Neopenda builds solutions alongside the healthcare workers who use them, ensuring every product is designed for the realities of resource-constrained hospitals (primarily in Africa). The company’s flagship product, neoGuard, is a CE-marked, wearable vital signs monitor that provides continuous measurement of four critical vitals for patients in overcrowded, understaffed wards.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Earlier this year, Neopenda established a wholly owned subsidiary in Kenya to support on-the-ground operations, manage local implementation, and receive certain grant funds. As they begin transferring funds and allocating shared operational costs between their U.S. parent (Neopenda PBC) and Neopenda Kenya Ltd., they need support developing a legally sound, tax-efficient intercompany structure that reflects their hardware supply chain, grant funding flows, and international staffing model.

They are seeking assistance drafting an Intercompany Agreement(s). At a high level, they imagine this will need to: (i) define how goods move between the U.S. and Kenya; (ii) ensure compliance with tax, transfer-pricing, accounting and corporate regulations; (iii) clarify how grant funds flow between the entities; (iv) identify processes for cross border flow transfers; (v) address hiring structure considerations; (vi) ensure alignment with regulatory compliance and requirements/identify responsibilities for quality and adverse event reporting across jurisdictions.

They understand that they attorney would speaking from the U.S. perspective. Additionally, if an attorney cannot assist with each of the issues above, assistance with as many as possible would be greatly appreciated.

Ask About a Matter
,
Promane and Promade Limited

Advise on the Patentability of Certain Compounds

Summary:

Assist a Nigerian social impact organization scaling public health solutions by advising on the patentability of two compounds they have developed for the treatment of malaria.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Promane and Promade Limited is a population health firm in Nigeria focused on leveraging research proven methodologies, exponential technologies and pedagogical approaches to introduce, integrate and scale patient-centered primary and public health solutions for global health benefit.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Promane and Promade has developed two compounds for the treatment of Malaria. They are in conversation with a third-party biopharmaceutical company to help them further their research/potentially prepare for clinical trials for one of the compounds. The Promane and Promade team is also considering establishing their own pharmaceutical company to manufacture and distribute the compounds and/or future inventions.

The Promane and Promade team would like to patent the compounds and they are seeking guidance from an IP attorney who has experience in the healthcare/pharmaceutical space. They are seeking guidance on: (i) whether these compounds are patentable; (ii) what the process would look like; (iii) how best to protect their IP globally; (iii) and which entity should own/register the patents.

If Promane and Promade moves forward, they would appreciate assistance with the patent registrations. However, this is a secondary request.

 

Ask About a Matter
,
Catalyst Now

Review Privacy Policy and/or Terms & Conditions

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit uniting social innovators to advance the UN Sustainable Development goals by reviewing the Privacy Policy for their website and/or drafting the Terms & Conditions for their membership application.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Catalyst Now (formerly Catalyst 2030) is a dynamic global movement of social innovators transforming systems and driving sustainable change to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals worldwide. They unite social innovators, social entrepreneurs, civic society, funders, private sector leaders, academia, and governments to create lasting systemic change through collaborative action.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Life Below Water (conservation and sustainability), Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

Catalyst Now was a program under a Dutch nonprofit for many years and has recently become an independent 501(c)(3) in the United States.

They are now seeking assistance reviewing the Privacy Policy for their website (which also covers signing up for their newsletter) to ensure that it complies with U.S. law. While the non-profit is based in the United States, users will be from all over the world. They would also appreciate guidance/assistance on best practices for ensuring compliance for a global audience.

The website also includes a call to action for organizations to become a member of the Catalyst Now network. This leads to a multi-step application form. The Catalyst Now team is also seeking assistance drafting the Terms & Conditions associated with the member application process.

If an attorney cannot assist with both pieces, assistance with either would be greatly appreciated.

Ask About a Matter
, ,
Miller Center for Global Impact

Webinar on Navigating US Executive Actions

Summary:

Deliver a webinar on how social ventures and nonprofits can prepare for possible executive actions that may disrupt funding, international partnerships, and compliance for organizations working in climate, migration, or global justice.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: The Miller Center accelerates global, innovation-based entrepreneurship in service to humanity. Its strategic focus is on poverty eradication through its three areas of work: The Global Social Benefit Institute, Impact Capital, and Education and Action Research.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Clean Water and Sanitation, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

We are seeking a volunteer to lead a webinar for social impact leaders on the potential legal and financial risks posed by anticipated U.S. executive actions. While none of the proposed measures are law yet, developments in U.S. policy circles indicate serious discussions around: (1) revoking tax-exempt status from organizations supporting or funding specified work; (2) banning cross-border donations; (3) labeling migrant aid groups as terror-affiliated; and (4) increasing IRS scrutiny on progressive or foreign-aligned donors. The webinar should help mission-driven organizations understand the legal implications and offer proactive steps to mitigate potential threats.

Ask About a Matter
, , , ,