Chemistry and materials science

Mathew has a BSc in Chemistry (First Class, Nottingham) and a PhD in Organic Chemistry (Cardiff). He is a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC) and a Chartered Chemist (CChem).

Mathew has a broad technical background in organic chemistry obtained during graduate and post-doctoral research spells in the UK and Japan, with particular emphasis in the areas of synthesis, organometallic and supported aqueous phase catalysis, analytical techniques and polymer chemistry. Following on from his academic career, Mat spent 12 years leading a drug discovery team in a spin-out pharmaceutical company focusing on oncology and endocrinology targeted drugs.  During this period Mat developed an expertise in medicinal chemistry and drug development processes from discovery to the clinic. His research is documented in over 40 academic papers and a number of patents and he has presented at several conferences.

Click here to view Mathew's publications, patents and conferences.

Mathew is presently training as a Chartered UK and European Patent Attorney.

Prior to joining Avidity IP, Mathew experienced the life cycle of a University spin-out biotechnology company from out licensing, through venture capital fund raising and eventual takeover. The intellectual property of his company was a key element of its corporate value and his own interest in the field arose through engagement in the patenting process from the inventor’s perspective.

BSc (hons) Degree in Chemistry, Durham University. Laura’s dissertation was based on antimicrobial peptides as alternatives to antibiotics and more specifically on the chemical synthesis of lantibiotics, via biomimetic synthesis or sulphur extrusion, and the effects on activity resulting from introduction of carbon mimics.

Laura provides technology support to the Chemistry group.  She has experience in drafting and prosecuting UK and European patent applications relating to process chemistry and chemical formulations, including innovative small molecule formulations.

Laura’s responsibilities include prosecution of UK, European and International patent applications for a variety of domestic and overseas clients.  She has also played a supporting role in various Oppositions and Appeals of commercial importance.

Laura has also undertaken legal research into topics of interest to clients. For example, she has authored a publication in our European Law & Practice series entitled “End is nigh for Swiss claim: Enlarged Board decides patentability requirements for further medical uses under the EPC”, which looks at the G2/08 decision in some detail.  Laura has also co-authored the publication “A Guide to Invoking the Specific Mechanism for Parallel Imports of Medicinal Products” which provides guidance and detail on the specific requirements needed for selected jurisdictions. 

Laura has managed several projects requiring corporate name changes and change of ownership for UK, European and International patents and patent applications.  Laura is also assisting in the management of transfer of European patent portfolios.

In her final year at Oxford University Diana specialised in supramolecular inorganic chemistry and the synthesis of mechanically interlocked structures for anion recognition with the aim of sensing pollutants in aqueous solution.

Diana is currently training full-time to qualify as a Chartered UK & European Patent Attorney.

Prior to joining Avidity IP Diana completed an internship within the Small Electrical Buying and Merchandising department at the head office of John Lewis. This experience has given her a thorough understanding of the value of products to the consumer.

Gemma graduated with an MSci (Hons) degree in Mathematics and Chemistry. She also holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Management and is working towards Chartership with the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.

Gemma has a sound understanding of Chemistry and added experience in research and analysis of radar, sensor and military systems, in particular for aerospace applications, as a result of working for QinetiQ following graduation.

Gemma is currently training full-time to qualify as a Chartered UK & European Patent Attorney.

Working at QinetiQ, Gemma also spent time in the in-house Intellectual Property department, gaining experience of the commercial application of IP, together with the internal processes required to take an invention from conception to patent.

She also has experience of working in collaborative teams and uses her experience of working in a corporate environment to good effect when providing advice and guidance to clients.

European Patent Attorney; UK Patent Attorney; BSc Chemistry 1st Class (University of Cambridge); PhD Chemistry (University of Cambridge)

Gwyn has many years of IP experience in his specialist areas of pharmaceutical and healthcare as well as in more general chemical and other matters.  The latter includes film and layer hygiene (personal care) products, artificial skin, polymeric matrices for tissue engineering, benzophenone-containing polymers for contact lenses, adhesive bandages, maleic acid and other polymers for corrosion management, water-soluble polymers for scale control, sterilization products, ceramics and microfluidic devices.

Gwyn has outstanding skills and experience in the drafting of original patent applications, in many cases of significant complexity, for clients in the UK and USA, especially for small molecule new chemical entities in the drugs field. Gwyn has a near 100% record in EPO contentious proceedings, an area in which he is currently very active.  He has additionally managed legal teams carrying out litigation on an international stage and has been involved in a number of high profile actions.

Gwyn set up the original Intellectual Property Department of Smith & Nephew plc and headed Merck’s patent department in Europe for a number of years before joining Avidity IP (then HLBBshaw) in 2004.  At present he is on the Boards of several start-up companies for whom IP is a major asset.

Master’s in Chemistry from the University of Oxford; Doctorate in Chemistry from the University of Oxford.

Jack is a student member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys and the European Patent Institute.

Jack has a Doctorate in synthetic organic chemistry from the University of Oxford. The compounds he synthesised were used in Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) displays. He presented his research at a number of international conferences, and his work is published in well-respected journals.

Jack currently works in a wide range of technical areas, including organic semi-conductors, OLEDs and photo-voltaics, anti-cancer pharmaceuticals, medical devices, pharmaceutical formulations, infant products, ceramic fibres and non-woven fabrics.

Jack’s work includes UK and European patent application drafting and prosecution as well as the prosecution of foreign patent applications in jurisdictions such as the US, China and Australia. He also assists with European opposition and appeal cases, patent infringement opinions and restoration cases.

Jack has experience in design matters including filing European registered designs and design right infringement opinions.

Jack works for a broad range of clients and understands the importance of tailoring costs and advice to the client’s needs.  

Malcolm is a UK and European Patent Attorney and a Registered Trade Mark Attorney. He has had a current Litigator’s Certificate since 2001.

Malcolm’s leadership role remains blended with primarily contentious IP practise in and outside Europe, and in particular with EPO opposition and appeal practise in high value matters.

Although outside his area of technical expertise, Malcolm has traditionally managed a number of clients in the electronic, telecoms and internet areas. This function has included critical strategic roles in a number of EPO oppositions with successful client outcomes, counselling several clients with arm’s length perspectives on US litigation issues and a past appointment in a mentoring role for the IP manager of a European telecoms company.

Malcolm has always had an intense and imaginative approach to legal practice, witnessed by a success rate of near 80% in contentious matters and a recognised talent for creative arguments.

As a European Patent Attorney, Malcolm’s practice is primarily EPC patent practice. This has become increasingly concentrated on opposition and other contentious matters over the last 10 years.

He has also built a substantial default recovery practice, and frequently has lapsed cases referred to him for attempted restoration. Malcolm’s success rate in default recovery is over 90%. This special interest in purely legal issues has led to appearances before the Legal Board of Appeal of the EPO.

Apart from patent practice expertise, Malcolm has a range of trade mark responsibilities, mostly in contentious practice areas and in supervising attorneys in our Trade Marks Group. Malcolm successfully prosecuted some of the very first EU applications for registration of 3D marks, some of which have since been enforced against infringers in Europe.

Malcolm was Managing Partner of HLBBshaw until its incorporation and has been CEO since March 2006. He has led the development of the business through organic growth, acquisitions and reorganisation from a small practice to a company of around 100 staff.

He has been responsible for the process of transformation of the practice from the owner-managed, inward-facing culture of the predecessor business to that of a forward-looking organisation in full engagement with both its internal and external stakeholders.

Chartered UK Patent Attorney, European Patent Attorney, European Design Attorney; MChem Chemistry, University of Manchester; Post Graduate Certificate in Intellectual Property Law, University of Manchester. 

Simon’s primary technical background in polymer chemistry, ceramics and in analytical chemistry and instrumentation. This is applied in his work in such fields as inorganic fibres and non-woven materials, pollution control devices and materials for and the manufacture of organic electronic devices including organic light emitting diodes and organic photovoltaic cells.

Simon’s familiarity with laboratory instrumentation extends from the pumps and valves required for use in high performance liquid chromatographs through ion sources and mass analysers for mass spectrometers to the instrument control and deconvolution software so vital to the effective performance of modern instruments.

While much of Simon’s practice involves the drafting and prosecution of patent applications primarily for the UK and European jurisdictions, experience of working closely with US attorneys in a corporate IP department provided him with valuable experience of prosecuting patent application in the USA and drafting US-specific Claims; an advantage for businesses seeking to move into the North American marketplace.

A significant proportion of Simon’s work relates to advising on after-grant matters such as infringement and validity, licencing and oppositions.

Simon joined Avidity IP from the IP Department at Waters Corporation, a leading manufacturer of laboratory instruments. Simon was involved in the drafting and prosecution of patent applications in the fields of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, with many of those applications relating to technologies key to Waters’ award winning instruments. These experiences in particular lend Simon a keen understanding of the IP requirements of large organisations, as well as the ability to advise on international filing strategies.

Masters degree in Chemistry, University of Manchester; PhD Physical Chemistry, University of Manchester.

Mark is a part qualified UK and European patent attorney.

Mark is experienced in drafting and prosecuting patent applications for inventions across the fields of physical chemistry and mechanical engineering. He is used to handling patent portfolios across multiple jurisdictions and has particular experience in obtaining patents for his clients in the US, China and Japan.

Besides drafting and prosecuting patent applications, Mark has experience of more contentious matters including providing freedom-to-operate opinions. He also advises clients in respect of registered designs and unregistered design right.

Mark is the author of a number of articles on intellectual property, including peer reviewed articles on the subjects of patentability, licensing and litigation in the UK.

Before joining Avidity IP Mark worked for a leading pharmaceutical company. He uses this experience of working in a corporate environment to good effect in his dealings with clients.

Chartered UK Patent Attorney; European Patent Attorney; European Design Attorney; Degree in Chemistry, University of East Anglia; MSc in Spectroscopy, University of East Anglia; PhD Physical Chemistry, University of Birmingham.

Chris has many clients in the organic chemistry, pharmaceuticals, polymers, ceramics, chemical engineering and materials fields, to each of which he provides strategic portfolio advice aimed at maximizing the potential from their IP.

He has specific expertise in ‘green’ technologies and their application to waste and energy reduction.

In other arts, Chris is the client manager for several acknowledged UK leaders in their respective fields, including automotive components, building materials, electrical components and domestic appliances.

Chris’ principal practice is in obtaining patent rights for clients in Europe and further afield.

However, Chris has a significant contentious practice involving patent litigation in the UK and abroad; European opposition cases at first and second instance; design and unregistered design right litigation in the UK; alternative dispute resolution negotiations.

Chris is currently engaged in advising multinational companies on internal IP strategy and policy.

Chris has recently led successful negotiations on inward and outward licensing deals for separate clients, both with European based multinational corporations.

Chris is an authorized IP representative for the Waste Resource Action Program (WRAP), providing IP audits for WRAP on SMEs requiring IP funding in the recycling/waste reduction fields.

Chris regularly provides freedom to operate opinions against complex legal landscapes. Finding sensible, commercial solutions against such backgrounds is Chris’ goal.