27 October 2017

Mitsui and Novagraaf establish Strategic Alliance

Mitsui & Co Ltd. (‘’Mitsui’’) and European intellectual property (IP) group Novagraaf BV have established a partnership to offer greater choice to Japanese customers. The agreement, which includes an investment by Mitsui in Novagraaf, will support Novagraaf’s strategy to transform the way IP owners in Japan protect and create value from their IP assets.

Japan is one of the world’s most advanced IP markets, and Japanese businesses now have direct access to Novagraaf’s full range of IP lifecycle services. Novagraaf has served businesses in Asia for more than 40 years and recently opened offices in Tokyo and Hong Kong to offer dedicated local support to customers in Japan and China. As part of the agreement Novagraaf KK has been established in Japan, and it will be staffed by Novagraaf and Mitsui employees under the leadership of Arjen van Blokland, recently appointed Managing Director of Novagraaf Japan.

“Mitsui works closely with our clients to maximize the return on intangible assets such as IP. Having a professional and innovative partner to support our client’s IP is of the utmost importance to us. With their track record and long history Novagraaf is an excellent choice of partner” said Takuji Fukaya, General Manager of the Business Promotion Division at Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

“Novagraaf and Mitsui are well-suited to work together to bring IP solutions to Japan,” said Dr. Arjen van Blokland, Managing Director, Novagraaf K.K. “We believe that Japanese customers are looking for greater choice from IP service providers and we look forward to meeting that demand’’.

Novagraaf is present in all major IP markets and makes it easy for companies in Japan and Asia to navigate European IP systems and processes by delivering a range of solutions that are broader than traditional IP law firms or services companies.

Lutgarde Liezenberg, Novagraaf CEO added: “We are proud that Mitsui has chosen to partner with Novagraaf based on their recognition of our reputation for top tier and tech-enabled IP consultancy services. It is an endorsement of our growth strategy and the entire Novagraaf team.”

Novagraaf is enjoying a period of rapid transformation, fueled by growing demand for innovative intellectual property solutions. This is the second major investment in Novagraaf this year. In January, Paragon Partners, a Munich-based private equity company, acquired a majority stake in the Novagraaf Group.

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About Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (“Mitsui”) is one of the most diversified and comprehensive trading, investment and service enterprises in the world, with 139 offices in 66 countries as of October 1st, 2017. Utilizing our global operating locations, network and information resources, we are multilaterally pursuing business that ranges from product sales, worldwide logistics and financing, through to the development of major international infrastructure and other projects in the following fields: Iron & Steel Products, Mineral & Metal Resources, Infrastructure Projects, Integrated Transportation Systems, Basic Materials, Performance Materials, Nutrition & Agriculture, Energy, Food Resources, Food Retail Management, Healthcare & Service, Consumer Services, IT & Communication, Corporate Development Business. Mitsui is actively taking on challenges for global business innovation around the world.

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