Boston-based IP software firm Anaqua has acquired US patent risk management provider Unified Patents.
The deal, the terms of which were not disclosed, combines Anaqua’s IP management platform with Unified Patents’ litigation-prevention model, which was established 14 years ago.
Unified Patents identifies and assesses claims that its clients are infringing patents – known as patent assertions – and seeks to neutralise low-quality patents by challenging their validity, thereby deterring future claims.
It also has a number of related products which help companies identify and respond to patent risks, including prior art searching, AI-assisted patent infringement analysis and demand-letter analysis.
Washington DC-based Unified Patents operates an international subscription-based membership model and has more than 300 members across more than a dozen “technology zones”, including AI, electronic payments and cyber security. Within those zones, it monitors patent activity and seeks to reduce litigation risks for members.
Justin Crotty, CEO of Anaqua, said: "Organisations need more than tools to manage and commercialise intellectual property. They need solutions that help protect the business value behind their innovation.”
“With Unified Patents, Anaqua expands its capabilities beyond managing and protecting IP assets to helping organisations proactively reduce litigation risk, defend against opportunistic patent assertions and safeguard the investments that drive growth and competitive advantage."
Kevin Jakel, co-founder and CEO of Unified Patents, will assume the newly created role of chief intellectual property strategist at Anaqua. The firm's president, Shawn Ambwani, will become a senior VP and head of the Unified Patents arm, while Jonathan Stroud, COO and chief legal officer, also moves over to Anaqua as VP and head of Unified Patents operations.
Jakel said: "Patent assertions, licensing demands, and litigation are becoming more sophisticated and more frequent. Organisations need access to stronger defensive capabilities, more intelligence, and earlier warning signals. Together with Anaqua, we can help companies move from reacting to risk to proactively managing it."
The parties point to rising IP litigation as a rationale for the deal. A report published by Lex Machina last week revealed that US district court patent filings hit a 10-year high in 2025, almost a fifth higher than in 2024.
This latest acquisition is Anaqua’s third since being bought out two years ago by technology investment firm Nordic Capital.
In April, the firm purchased European IP management software firm Patrix, giving it access to its flagship product, IP management system Patricia, and its 400-strong law firm-focused customer base. In May last year, it snapped up London-based IP software provider RightHub.
Anaqua was established in 2004 by IP leaders from The Coca-Cola Company, Ford Motor Company, Kimberly-Clark and British American Tobacco.
Email your news and story ideas to: [email protected]
