Pharma and nutrition

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 Pharma and Nutrition group. She has experience of drafting and prosecuting cases towards grant in Europe across all areas of the group. In particular, Laura has experience relating to nutrition, process chemistry, innovative small molecule therapeutics as well as innovative formulations for the delivery of therapeutic agents in the treatment of, for example, cancer, diabetes, obesity, ophthalmic conditions, dermatological diseases, lipid storage diseases, pain and inflammation.

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.

Sally has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for nearly 20 years and in the chemical industry for more than 25 years.  Prior to joining Avidity IP, she was Chief Patent Counsel of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals heading up a team of European patent attorneys. 

In addition to the pharmaceutical, nutrition and animal health industries, her experience in intellectual property includes working in the agrochemical and speciality chemical fields (such as biodegradable polymers), in ICI and Zeneca.

Her group's specialisations in the pharmaceutical area include new chemical entities, medical uses, formulation chemistry, drug delivery, process chemistry, obtaining supplementary protection certificates and advising on parallel trade matters.  With her substantial chemical and biologics experience, Sally also adds an important bridge to our Life Sciences and Chemistry and Material Science Groups.  

Sally has conducted multi-national infringement and validity litigation in Europe and other jurisdictions (including questions referred to the European Court of Justice), Oppositions and Appeals at the European Patent office and various national patent offices, restoration cases, freedom to operate opinions and has been involved with a variety of agreement matters, including licensing of pharmaceutical products.

Sally’s responsibilities include drafting and prosecution of UK, European and international patent applications, European oppositions, freedom to operate and due diligence activities for a variety of domestic and overseas clients.  

Sally’s long term background in industry gives her an excellent understanding of commercial and corporate needs in a business environment including experience of interfacing with other disciplines such as regulatory affairs and competition law. 

Her extensive in-house interdisciplinary IP management experience across a range of chemical fields means she is able to provide cost effective advice and portfolio management to both large and small pharmaceutical businesses.   

European Patent Attorney; Degree in Chemistry (Universidad Complutense de Madrid); PhD Chemistry (Imperial College)

Elena has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 13 years. In addition to her intellectual property expertise her experience includes working as a research synthetic chemist and as an information specialist. Prior to joining Avidity IP Elena was the Head of IP for a start-up pharmaceutical company.

Elena’s industrial experience coupled with a strong technical and research background gives her the ability to work well with inventors as well as having a good understanding of commercial and corporate needs. She specialises in the pharmaceutical area which includes new chemical entities, medical uses, formulation chemistry, drug delivery, re-profiling of old drugs and process chemistry.

Elena’s responsibilities include the original drafting and prosecution of UK, European and international patent applications for a variety of domestic and overseas clients.

Elena also has experience in freedom to operate issues and in due diligence activities for the licensing of pharmaceutical products.

Due to Elena’s experience in small and start-up companies she is able to understand their needs and to help them design, implement and manage innovative patent strategies to protect the company’s pipeline within defined budgets.

Elena believes strongly that it is important to meet clients and inventors regularly and to have firsthand knowledge of their business in order to provide the best advice.

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 the pharma and life sciences areas – in recent times particularly in the vaccinology and oncology areas.

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 practise, 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 practise 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.

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.  James 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.

Previously, James worked for Sagentia Ltd in their innovation and technology management group, working on a broad range of consulting assignments aimed at exploiting opportunities in the life science and healthcare sectors. These 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 including Bayer, Celanese, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Millipore, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble and Unilever. James has also worked for Procter & Gamble in Brussels in their Research & Development department.

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.

Her 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.

European Patent Attorney; UK Patent Attorney; BcS. Chemistry, First Class; PhD Chemistry (Cambridge).

Gwyn has many years of experience in patent drafting, prosecution, oppositions and appeals in his specialist areas of pharmaceutical and healthcares industries. This has been broadly based and includes neurologicals, anti-inflammatories, anti-cancer agent, cardiovascular medications, vaccines, antibodies, medical implants, medical devices and polymers for medical uses.

In the pharmaceutical and medical areas, Gwyn has managed legal teams in several European Countries involved in infringement and revocation actions before the Courts and he is a former member of the Intellectual Property Committee of the UK’s Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association.

Gwyn has previously set up the Intellectual Property Department of Smith & Nephew plc and headed Merck & Co. Inc’s. patent department in Europe. At present he is on the Board of some smaller and start-up companies where is ensures that patent protection is obtained within defined budgets.