Ts. Irfan Awang
Irfan is a chemical engineer by profession and a Professional Technologist (Ts.) registered with the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT), recognised for his technical competence and professional integrity. He began his career as a process engineer with one of Malaysia’s largest palm oil companies, where he developed strong operational insight and technical fluency. He later expanded his professional scope into intellectual property (IP), building deep expertise across the full spectrum of IP rights, including patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights, layout designs of integrated circuits, geographical indications, and plant variety protections. His work has supported a diverse clientele, from startups and universities to multinational corporations and government agencies.
Over the past 13 years, Irfan has become a trusted advisor in technology transfer and IP commercialisation, both locally and internationally. He is frequently entrusted to manage and oversee high-profile IP portfolios for key clients, involving strategic planning, prosecution, enforcement, valuation, and monetisation of IP assets. These portfolios span inbound and outbound filings across jurisdictions, and his strategic guidance plays a pivotal role in clients’ decision-making processes for product launches, partnerships, and market entry.
Irfan is also a Certified Patent Valuation Analyst (CPVA), endorsed by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). In this capacity, he has led numerous IP valuation exercises, providing rigorous, data-driven assessments of patent worth, commercial potential, and licensing value. His valuation work supports strategic decisions in investment, joint ventures, royalty structuring, and broader IP monetisation strategies.
His influence extends to the national policy level, where he was appointed as Head Panel of the Steering Committee for public grants and policies. In this role, Irfan advises on the strategic allocation of innovation funding and helps shape frameworks for research translation and commercialisation. His contributions ensure that public investments in science and technology are aligned with industry needs and capable of delivering scalable, impactful outcomes.
Irfan is a seasoned speaker and educator, frequently invited to deliver seminars and workshops on patent practice, claim interpretation, prior art search, trademark strategy, industrial design, copyright, and IP enforcement. He has participated in and conducted numerous international conferences and specialised IP programmes, including the JPAA IP Practitioner programme in Bangkok, the FICPI Southeast Asia Patent Drafting Course, the JPO/IPR for Practitioners (Specialising in Patent), and the IP Innovation Special Program jointly organised by the Korean Patent Attorneys Association, UC Davis, and Seoul National University.
He serves as a panel judge for IP evaluation and business pitching sessions across universities, research institutes, and corporate innovation platforms. Irfan also sits on the Board of Directors of a university spin-off, where he contributes to strategic governance and the commercialisation of cutting-edge research. His role encompasses identifying patentable inventions, drafting examiner-resilient specifications, advising on international prosecution strategies, structuring IP transactions, and securing funding through grants, venture capital, and commercial sources.
With a rare blend of technical depth, legal precision, commercial foresight, and policy influence, Irfan is recognised as a leading figure in research commercialisation, particularly in engineering, life sciences, and social sciences. His ability to spark curiosity, foster collaboration, and deliver win-win outcomes has earned him a reputation for excellence across sectors.
Exceptionally knowledgeable, professional, and approachable, Irfan is also an avid reader and music enthusiast, continually drawing inspiration from diverse disciplines and perspectives.
Qualifications & Affiliations
- Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Hons), University of Malaya
- Registered Agent for Patent
- Registered Agent for Trademark
- Registered Agent for Industrial Design
- Registered Agent for Geographical Indication
- Registered Agent for Plant Varieties Protection
- Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP)
- Certified Patent Valuation Analyst (CPVA)
- HRDC Certified Trainer
- IP Innovation Certificate, University of California Davis, Seoul National University & Korean Patent Attorneys Association
- Adjunct Lecturer, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS 2024-2026
- Adjunct Lecturer, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS 2019-2023
- Professional Technologist, Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT)
- Associate Member, Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
- Graduate Member, Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
- Graduate Member, the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM)
- Vice President, Malaysian Intellectual Property Association (MIPA) 2025-2027
- Honorary Treasurer, Innovation & Technology Managers Association (ITMA) 2025-2027
- Recognised as Successful People in Malaysia 2021 by BPH-British Publishing House Ltd
Service areas
Patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights, layout designs of integrated circuit, geographical indication, plant variety protection.
Expertise
Chemical engineering, chemistry, petroleum engineering, material science, mechanical engineering, nanotechnology, physics, environmental technology, separation technology, water treatment, telecommunication engineering, information technology, electrical and electronic engineering, confidentiality and privacy, local and international brand protection, licensing and franchising, anti-counterfeiting.
Hazeem Ibrahim
Hazeem, Chief Operating Officer of Patentsworth International, brings over 25 years of senior executive leadership, honed through key roles at a reputable international airline and a diversified Malaysian-based enterprise headquartered in Kuala Lumpur. His extensive experience managing cross-functional teams and operational portfolios is matched by his sharp acumen in branding, corporate psychology, human sciences, professional grooming, and business ethics.
With a foundational background in accounting and an Intellectual Property Certificate conferred by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), in collaboration with the Malaysian Intellectual Property Office (MyIPO), Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), and Korea Invention Promotion Association (KIPA), Hazeem plays a pivotal role in aligning Patentsworth’s operational vision with evolving IP landscapes.
At Patentsworth, he is an instrumental force in embedding IP consciousness across corporate strategy – translating abstract principles of intellectual property into actionable initiatives that drive innovation, compliance, and value creation. His ability to harmonize people, processes, and purpose ensures that all stakeholders remain deeply engaged in the firm’s mission to protect and commercialize novel ideas.
His leadership is distinguished by an intuitive grasp of how intellectual property interacts with branding, market positioning, and ethical business conduct – making him a steward not just of operational excellence, but also of Patentsworth’s long-term IP-driven growth.
Nazreen Talib
With over 20 years of distinguished experience in the aviation industry, Nazreen Talib has served as a leading officer in aircraft management, charter operations, and strategic marketing for internationally recognized airlines in Singapore and Malaysia.
Her professional repertoire spans aviation safety, regulatory compliance, customer service excellence, and training program development. As an accomplished image consultant and advisor on corporate ethics—often serving in pro tempore or ad interim capacities—Nazreen has played an instrumental role in enhancing Patentsworth’s internal culture. She has elevated the grooming standards and interpersonal professionalism of our team, helping to cultivate a client-facing environment grounded in warmth, dignity, and precision.
In addition to her aviation credentials, Nazreen supports Patentsworth’s intellectual property (IP) operations by advising on the integration of hospitality principles into inventor outreach, client onboarding, and service branding. Her unique perspective ensures that our IP services remain not only procedurally rigorous, but also human-centered and relationally attuned. She actively contributes to quality assurance initiatives across our client interface platforms—bringing strategic insight to the way IP services are perceived, delivered, and refined.
For Nazreen, quality is not a buzzword—it is the cornerstone of sustainable operations and competitive positioning. At Patentsworth, she continuously champions excellence across both front-end service encounters and back-end operational design, aligning the firm’s growth strategy with evolving market and client expectations
