Life sciences

Chartered UK Patent Attorney; European Patent Attorney; BSc (Hons) in Genetics, University of Sheffield; PhD Molecular & Cell Biology, awarded by University College London following research conducted at The National Institute for Medical Research, London; MSc in Management of Intellectual Property, Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary University of London (awarded Herchel Smith Scholarship & graduated with Distinction & highest average mark).

Marc’s broad academic and technical background covers genetics, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology. Marc consequently specialises in all areas of biotechnology and life sciences and handles cases involving, for example, humanised and monoclonal antibodies, transgenic technologies, induced pluripotent stem cells, RNAi, gene therapy, nucleic acid microarrays, diagnostic assays, microfluidic devices, PCR assays & reagents, and medical devices.

Marc is also responsible for a portfolio of cases relating to mechanical devices.

Marc has experience in the drafting and prosecution of patent applications, in both a domestic and international capacity. In addition, he has been pivotally involved in a number of technical cases before the Opposition Divisions and the Technical Boards of Appeal at the European Patent Office. Marc has also provided assistance and advice in restoration and entitlement cases, as well as in national infringement and revocation proceedings working as part of a multinational litigation team. Marc also has an interest in essentially legal issues and has made written submissions to the Enlarged Board of Appeal.

Marc spent several years in the position of Senior Scientist with GlaxoSmithKline Plc before joining Millennium Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge (UK) where he was head of the Cell Biology group. Immediately prior to joining Avidity IP, Marc worked in the Commercial & Intellectual Property practice of Hammonds, a leading multinational commercial law firm based in central London.

This unique blend of industry experience, coupled with Marc’s strong academic and legal background, enables him to provide tailored strategic advice to clients based on a firm understanding of the technology and the commercial reality.

BSc (Hons.) in Biology, University of Hull; MSc in Molecular Medical Microbiology, University of Nottingham; PhD Molecular Microbiology, University of Nottingham

Sarah’s PhD studies focused on the molecular and biological function of bacterial proteins. She has experience of a wide range of molecular biology techniques, including recombinant protein expression, protein purification and protein functionality assays.

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

Prior to entering the patent profession, Sarah worked in Regulatory Affairs for 6 years. Sarah was responsible for coordinating registration projects and writing dossiers in close cooperation with clients to ensure timely submission to EU Member State competent authorities and ensuring compliance with relevant legislative requirements.

BSc Molecular Biology (1st Class), University College London; PhD Structural Biology, Institute of Cancer Research

Zain’s PhD studies focused on the characterisation of a multi-protein complex involved in chromatin regulation and Mixed Lineage Leukaemia. He has experience of recombinant protein expression, protein purification, enzymology, determination of protein structures by NMR and X-ray crystallography and methods for studying protein-protein interactions.

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

During his undergraduate studies Zain undertook a sandwich placement with AstraZeneca UK, and so has a basic understanding of the pharmaceutical drug development pathway.

Chartered UK Patent Attorney; European Patent Attorney; BSc (Hons) in Genetics, University of Liverpool; PhD Genetics, University of Liverpool; MSc in Management of Intellectual Property, Queen Mary University of London.

Steve specialises in biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics and food technology, including food and feed enzymes and formulations, probiotics and starter cultures, epigenetics, “on chip” technology, microfluidics, sequencing techniques, diagnostic agents, vaccines, transgenics, gene therapies, pesticide formulations and medical devices.

Having spent several years acting for major multinational corporations, Steve understands the importance of providing commercially relevant strategic advice and the need to get behind the technology to understand the business needs of the client.

Diana graduated from the University of Cambridge with an MA in Natural Sciences, focusing on molecular biology, physiology, zoology and neuroscience. This included a neuroscience research project studying the role of part of the brain known as the striatum, particularly in relation to Huntington’s disease.

Diana has a Certificate in Intellectual Property Law from Queen Mary University of London and is working towards full qualification as a Chartered and European Patent Attorney.

Diana has advised clients on a wide-range of technology areas and especially in the biotechnology and medical fields.  She has particular experience of protein engineering, antibodies, biological therapeutics, vaccines, plant biotechnology, diagnostics and medical devices.

Prior to joining Avidity IP, Diana worked in private practice on global patent portfolios for clients. She gained particular experience of UK and European patent prosecution, including supporting Opposition proceedings before the European Patent Office.  She also worked with a law firm client on a due diligence project for a large acquisition deal; successfully achieved the restoration and re-establishment of rights for clients; and has provided opinions on patentability, infringement and validity.

Prior to entering the patent profession, Diana worked for a venture-capital backed Biotech start-up company to develop the IP and company strategy and spent several years as a consultant to the biotech and pharma industry, initially with Cambridge Pharma Consultancy (now part of IMS Health) and then with PA Consulting Group. During this time, she worked on a broad range of commercial and technology strategy consulting assignments for Life Science organisations including SMEs and international pharmaceutical and medical device companies.

For example, Diana provided a high level overview of the patent activity in a specific medical device market that the client was considering entering; successfully connected a biopharmaceutical client with a partner to progress their technology through clinical trials; and developed the commercialisation approach for a biotech company’s core platform technology resulting in the company’s successful acquisition.

Therefore, Diana understands the importance of IP as a commercial asset and is able to tailor her service and advice to the needs of each client and their business.

BSc with Honours degree in Biological and Medicinal Chemistry from the School of Biosciences at Exeter University; PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the School of Biological Sciences at Southampton University; Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property with Distinction from the Business School at Bournemouth University.

Previously, Angeline was working in the commercial side of the Life Science sector. She worked as a Technical Specialist for two leading Life Science and High Technology companies. Core products were in the fields of liquid handling robotics, molecular biology, DNA & RNA Purification, PCR amplification and detection, quantitative PCR and proteomics.

Angeline is currently in full-time training with the aim of qualifying as a Chartered UK & European Patent Attorney.

During her time in industry Angeline was responsible for all R&D customers within the South West of the UK. Key accounts included Blue-chip, SMEs, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Start-up companies and Academic Institutes. Working in the Life Science industry for the last eight years has given Angeline an invaluable insight into the importance of Intellectual Property management.

Angeline also understands that not only is it critical to quickly gain a comprehensive understanding of the science, but it is also key to understand the client’s business objectives.

Registered Patent Attorney; European Patent Attorney; PhD, University of Cambridge, on calcium signalling in the model organism C. elegans; and MA, University of Cambridge, in Natural Sciences.

James’ specialist area is molecular biology and biological therapeutics. In this field he has experience of working on patent applications for biological therapeutics and vaccines, oligonucleotide arrays, PCR based assays, antibody based assays, RNA interference (RNAi) and phage display.

Much of James’ current work involves representing clients in opposition and appeal proceedings before the European Patent Office.  He is also responsible for the filing and prosecution of UK and European patent applications.  In addition, he has provided European and UK advice in relation to IP litigation in the UK, Germany and the USA.

Prior to joining Avidity IP, James worked for Sagentia Ltd. (formerly known as Scientific Generics) in their innovation and technology management group. During this time, he worked on a broad range of consulting assignments aimed at exploiting opportunities in the life science and healthcare sectors. These assignments included IP analysis, technology scouting and assessment, market evaluations and stakeholder research. Clients ranged from venture capital-backed SMEs to international healthcare and consumer goods companies, and included Bayer, Celanese, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Millipore, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble and Unilever.

James has also worked in the Research & Development department of Procter & Gamble in Brussels.

Chartered UK Patent Attorney; European Patent Attorney; Degree in Biochemsitry, University of Bristol; PhD Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Manchester.

Jon’s background equips him for a broad range of biotechnology related subject matter, though he has particular expertise in antibody engineering and phage display, areas in which he has been actively involved in renowned large scale contentious matters before the European Patent Office.

Jon’s facility with immunology also features in another active area of Jon’s portfolio – that of vaccines, an area in which he has represented one of the worlds best known vaccine manufacturers – Sanofi Pasteur.

In addition to his experience in therapeutic areas, Jon has further developed a following in more mechanical and quasi-mechanical aspects of Life Sciences. Working closely with a team including litigation solicitors, Jon has successfully defended patents relating to lateral flow diagnostic kits (covering the well know “Clear Blue” (RTM) pregnancy testing kits). Other mechanical applications of life sciences within Jon’s expertise include nucleic acid arrays and microfluidics.

The cross-over between Life Sciences and mechanics also features heavily in the third aspect of Jon’s technical field. Building on experience gained as a patent examiner in the UKIPO, Jon has an active interest in medical devices, and is currently the Client Manager for a Californian company who is seeking to commercialize customized drug eluting stents.

Jon enjoys prosecution of patent applications before the European Patent Office and the UKIPO, and has an active work load in those areas.  However his first passion is for contentious work, primarily in the form of Oppositions and Appeals before the EPO.  Increasingly, his EPO contentious work has domestic litigation implications and he often finds himself working closely with multi-party legal teams on international litigation matters.

Consistent with the legal bias of Jon’s work towards contentious matters, much of his advice includes a significant commercial aspect. Strategic advice underpins a program of contentious activity, and the strategy must be formed with full knowledge of the client’s commercial situation. Jon actively takes steps to understand his clients’ commercial position and aspirations and develops strategy and tactics on that basis.

Jon also offers strategic advice to start-up companies – taking an interest in, and contributing to SWOT analysis where required.

By understanding a client’s business, whether for a program of contentious activity, or to assist in the management of a growing start-up company, Jon seeks to build lasting relationships with clients that are mutually profitable and rewarding.

“Jon is extremely knowledgeable and results oriented. I value his opinions and appreciate that he gives straight answers to tough questions. Jon also manages a good group of people with whom I've been happy to work. I value Jon's technical and legal expertise and his ability to suggest creative solutions.” Steve Collier, Fluidigm Corporation.

Chartered UK Patent Attorney; European Patent Attorney; Masters degree in Biochemistry (University of Oxford); doctorate on the biochemistry of heart disease (DPhil, University of Oxford).

James has published several articles on cardiac disease and therefore has particular expertise at dealing with inventions in this area, such as cardiac stents.  He also works on cases involving other technologies, for example phage display, humanized antibodies, influenza and pneumonia vaccines, oligonucleotide arrays, biofuels and medicaments based on plant extracts.  In addition, he has drafted patent applications relating to simple, mechanical devices.

James has a lot of experience of prosecution of biotechnology cases before both the European Patent Office and the UK Intellectual Property Office.  He has also worked on several large opposition cases, and appeals from opposition decisions, for patentees and opponents, and has represented clients at the European Patent Office.

James is a familiar face to various networking events in and around Cambridge.  Most recently, James organized a presentation to a select “in-house” group of Pharma and Life Science companies based in and around Cambridge on recent developments in opposition practice at the European Patent Office.

Emma has a Master of Natural Sciences degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree, both from the University of Cambridge where she specialised in Biochemistry. Emma also has a PhD from the University of Cambridge which she completed in the Department of Pathology, studying the gene expression changes that occur during the progression of HPV-induced, pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix.

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

During her time at Avidity IP, Emma has worked on cases in a wide-range of technology areas, with particular emphasis on the medical and biotechnology fields. This has included cases concerning nucleic acid extraction and amplification, adenovirus-based vaccines, influenza vaccines, humanised antibodies, anti-cancer pharmaceuticals and medical devices, such as arterial stents.

Emma’s ability to readily comprehend complex subject-matter and clearly and simply explain it to others is a valuable skill which she uses to the benefit of her clients.

Emma’s work encompasses both UK and EPO patent application prosecution, and she frequently provides assistance on EPO opposition cases.  She also has experience of providing validity and infringement opinions, and she assisted in the successful re-establishment of rights in a European patent application.

Emma works for clients ranging from individual inventors in business as sole traders to large multinational pharmaceutical companies, and therefore she understands the importance of tailoring service and advice to the needs of the client and their business.

Richard graduated from the University of Oxford with an MBiochem (Hons) in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. His Part II research project looked at mechanisms of thyroid hormone-induced activation of mitochondrial uncoupling proteins in the heart, and was undertaken in the Cardiac Metabolism Research Group of the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics.

Richard also holds a Masters degree in the Management of Intellectual Property from Queen Mary, University of London. He qualified as a European Patent Attorney in 2010.

Richard’s specialist areas are medical devices and assay technologies. He has gained particular experience in the prosecution of applications concerning lumenal stents, microfluidic devices, oligonucleotide arrays, diagnostic assay devices and both PCR-based and antibody-based assay technology.

Richard is also regularly involved with applications falling within the broader area of molecular biology, and occasionally works on applications concerning formulation chemistry.

The prosecution of both UK and European patent applications forms the basis of Richard’s work. On several occasions he has prepared written submissions, for either the patent proprietor or the opponent, in opposition proceedings before the European Patent Office.

Richard has also been involved in the analysis of patent infringement and validity for various Avidity IP clients.

Richard is a member of the Health Technologies Knowledge Transfer Network, a Government sponsored initiative which aims to accelerate innovation and technology exploitation in the UK health industry. He also regularly attends networking events involving the biotechnology sector.

Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (UK) (1975); European Patent Attorney (1978); UK Registered Trade Mark Agent (1990); European Trade Mark Attorney (1996); Patent Agent Litigator (Litigation Certificate) (2002); BA (Hons.) and MA in Biochemistry (Oxford University).

As a biochemist of very considerable experience in the patent profession, Richard's career has encompassed all of the major biotech patenting developments since the European Patent Office opened in 1978.

In the late 1970s, Richard provided the European representation for Cetus Corporation (subsequently acquired by Chiron) covering matters ranging from protein isolation, through initial recombinant technology applications, to the first PCR cases. Richard advised the MRC in relation to the early genomics cases, and filed the MRC's initial genomics case as well as spin-off technology from the human genome project.

Subsequently, and over the last 25 years plus, Richard has provided representation in a list of very high profile cases at the European Patent Office at all levels, including PCR, the Harvard oncomouse case, the recombinant relaxin case, patentability of genomics, Schering AG's successful attack against Biogen's IFN Beta case, Protein Design Labs and humanised antibodies, and the disputes between Serono and TKT (Shire) in relation to gene activation technology.

More recently, Richard has provided high profile representation in the areas of diagnostics and plant technology, and the treatment of menopausal symptoms, as well as successfully obtaining patent grant for ZymoGenetics in a landmark genomics case, and upholding on appeal the Fred Hutchinson patent for inhibition of lymphocyte homing.

Richard's practice continues to embrace the gamut of biotechnology and biochemical subject matter, and he is Client Manager for many such clients.

Richard is recognised as one of the leading practitioners in Europe in relation to oppositions and related contentious proceedings, having very considerable experience in running opposition teams and related litigation. His experience of and familiarity with the Boards of Appeal at the EPO is of immense value to clients.

Richard has also developed a highly successful boutique practice in difficult restoration matters for clients.

Being the Director responsible for contentious proceedings, Richard inevitably deals with clients at all levels and in all commercial circumstances. His experience is that commercial advice to clients is of enormous importance, in devising appropriate tactics and strategy, and structuring appropriate patent actions. Richard has more than 35 years' experience of advising clients, and in dealing with the immense range of commercial situations they present.