[AnotherMarc]

For US (not sure if it's the same in UK), you might go with a provisional patent filing only. It's a lot easier and less expensive to file. You then have a year (I believe) to file for the actual patent.

My firsthand experience is with software, as opposed to biotech, and there the answer would usually be to focus on customers first. But I know that patents are more important to biotech investors, and companies. Hopefully the accelerator funding you has enough mentor presence in your space to get a more definitive take on the tradeoffs and timing.

[AndriusSutas]

UK also has provisional ones. That is exactly our strategy if we were to decide to file one, thanks!

(as a side note, we are working on biometrics not biotech: http://www.lockergnome.com/technobabble/2005/03/17/biotech-o...)