Our People

MA (Cantab), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorney.

Richard read natural sciences (biochemistry) at Cambridge University and specialises in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical chemistry. He lectures on European Patent Law, or has done so, at the Universities of London and Strasbourg. Before joining Potter Clarkson, Richard worked in the corporate patent department of a large British pharmaceutical company.

He joined Potter Clarkson in 1986 and became a partner in 1990. Richard became Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board of Management in 2001.

Richard has great experience of advocacy before the Opposition Divisions and Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office, having represented clients in well over 200 hearings.

BSc (Hons), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, Registered UK and European Trademark Attorney, European Patent Attorney, Patent Agent Litigator, Member of AIPPI, LES, SCI, Biotech Committee of CIPA and Patent Agent Litigators Society. Also, past or present tutor in the EPI training programme for the European Qualifying Examination.

Philip read microbiology and virology at the University of Warwick. He worked in private practice specialising in the chemical and biotechnology fields before joining Potter Clarkson in 1994. He became a partner in 1998 and joined the Board of Management in January 2006. Philip also has responsibility for business development.

Philip has a particular interest in recombinant DNA technology and immunology and has lectured widely on patenting biotechnology. He also has considerable experience of patenting medical devices. Having handled well over 100 hearings, Philip has extensive experience of advocacy before the Opposition Divisions of the European Patent Office and its Boards of Appeal. In recent times, he has been involved in multi-jurisdictional biotech patent disputes across Europe and been awarded a Patent Litigator Certificate.

BSc, PhD, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorney.

John read biochemistry at Bristol University. He conducted research in microbial molecular biology at Sheffield University for his doctorate, and did post-doctoral research work on mammalian cytochrome P450 genes for Cancer Research UK at Edinburgh University. During his research career, John authored over forty research and review papers for international journals in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics.

John was a lecturer in biochemistry and molecular biology at Glasgow University before he joined Potter Clarkson in 1992. He became a partner in 1999 and joined the Board of Management in 2006.

John specialises in biotechnology and medical research for UK and international clients, and has particular expertise in advising technology transfer organisations, spin-outs and SMEs especially about IP issues in private and public fund raising. John is also experienced in European Patent Office oppositions, having handled over 60 cases. He has acted in contentious matters before the UK Patent Office, and has a significant practice in supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) including a referral to the European Court of Justice. John has lectured and written articles on the patenting of biotechnological inventions.

BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorney.

Steve studied chemistry at the University of Manchester before obtaining a doctorate in organic chemistry from the same university. He worked in the research department of a large UK chemical company before joining the patent department of an international pharmaceutical company.

He joined Potter Clarkson in 1996 and became a partner in 1999. Steve won the Moss Prize in 1996, having obtained the highest overall mark the previous year in examinations relating to UK and overseas patent law.

Steve specialises in pharmaceutical industry-related inventions, in particular medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical formulations. He acts for a wide range of clients from Big Pharma, through SME drug discovery and drug development companies, to start-ups and University spin-outs, many of which are based outside the UK, especially in Scandinavia.

MA (Oxon), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorney, Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Ian read chemistry at Oxford University, after which he worked in the research department of a large multinational company as a synthetic organic chemist. Ian entered the patent profession in 1990 and worked in private practice before joining Potter Clarkson in 1999. He became a partner in 2000.

Ian has been involved in tutoring candidates for the European qualifying examinations through EPI. Having handled well over 100 cases, Ian has extensive experience of handling oppositions and appeals before the European Patent Office. His current areas of special interest include biochemistry, catalysis, enzymes, fats and oils, formulations, nutrition, bulk chemicals, pharmacology and polymer chemistry.

MA (Cantab), PhD, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, European Patent Attorney, Member of Biochemistry Society.

Stephanie read natural sciences (biochemistry) at Trinity College, Cambridge, before completing a PhD in molecular biology at the Medical Research Councils Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge. After continuing her research at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology and serving as a Research Fellow at Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, she worked for a large international company as a research biochemist.

Stephanie joined Potter Clarkson in 1997 and became a Partner in 2004. Her experience is wide-ranging and includes extensive experience in advising SME's and academic technology transfer departments.

MA (Oxon), DPhil, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorney.

Steve read biochemistry at the University of Oxford before undertaking a doctorate degree in neuroscience at the University's Department of Clinical Pharmacology. During his doctorate studies, Steve spent several months on secondment at the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm. After completing his doctorate, Steve remained in Oxford and spent three years as a post-doctoral scientist and authored a number of scientific papers.

Steve joined Potter Clarkson in 1998 and became a partner in 2007.

Steve specialises in biotechnology-related patent matters, dealing with subjects including recombinant technology, antibody therapies, drug screening assays, medical devices and diagnostic markers of human and animal disease. He has extensive experience of patent prosecution at the European Patent Office, including oppositions and appeals, and has also been involved in national patent litigation in the UK and Sweden. Steve acts for a range of clients including multinational companies, government-funded research institutes, universities, as well as early-stage and start-up biotech companies based throughout Europe. He has lectured and written articles on the patenting of biotechnological inventions.

BSc (Hons), PhD, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys and European Patent Attorney, Member of AIPLA, China Britain Business Council, The Research & Development Society and the Intellectual Property Institute. Past tutor in the EPI training programme for the European Qualifying Examinations.

Charlotte read chemistry at University College London and obtained a PhD in organometallic chemistry from Cambridge University. She joined the patent profession in 1994 and worked in private practice in London before joining Potter Clarkson in 2000.

Charlotte currently deals with a wide range of chemical and healthcare inventions such as chemical processes, pharmaceutical formulations, catalysts and medical apparatus.

In addition to extensive experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications, Charlotte also has experience of oral proceedings before the European Patent Office including opposition proceedings and has been involved with due diligence exercises for financing procedures. She works with businesses of various sizes from small and medium sized firms to large multinational companies.

Charlotte is heavily involved with developing business relations in China and has lectured to Chinese companies on European and UK patent law and strategies for protecting inventions in Europe. She acts for several Chinese pharmaceutical companies and Universities.

Charlotte is also an advisor on European patent matters to the Chongqing IP Bureau.

MA (Oxon), DPhil, Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorney.

Mike read chemistry at Oxford University before obtaining a DPhil in biomimetic co-ordination chemistry from the same university. After spending a year at the Max-Planck Institut für Strahlenchemie, as a post-doctoral researcher funded by the Royal Society, he then worked as a researcher in the fuel cells group of a large precious metals company.

Mike joined Potter Clarkson in 1998 and has particular experience in handling pharmaceutical and chemical inventions for both UK-based and international clients.

BSc (Hons), DPhil (Oxon), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorney.

Andrew read molecular biology and biochemistry at Durham University and obtained a DPhil from Oxford University in the area of signal transduction and molecular biology, before moving into patent law. Andrew joined the patent profession in 1998 and worked in private practice before joining Potter Clarkson in 2000. Andrew became a partner in 2008.

Andrew handles a variety of biological and chemical technologies, with particular experience in biotechnology, including genetic engineering, industrial microbiological processes, antibody-based technologies, therapeutic and other medical inventions. He advises on all aspects of patent matters, including the preparation of applications, co ordination of multinational prosecution strategies, European opposition procedures and freedom to operate exercises.

BSc (Hons), PhD, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, Licensed Israeli Patent Attorney, European Patent Attorney.

Richard read molecular biology at the University of Manchester followed by a PhD in genetics at the University of Cambridge. Richard worked as a post-doctoral scientist in the biotechnology industry for a year before joining the patent profession in Israel in 1998 where he qualified as an Israeli Patent Attorney. Richard returned to England in 2001, completing a postgraduate certificate in intellectual property law at the University of Manchester before joining Potter Clarkson in 2002.

Richard has a particular expertise in drafting and prosecuting patent applications for medical and biotechnology inventions, and has experience in the management of large worldwide patent portfolios. Richard's practice has a particular focus on the specific needs of technology transfer departments of UK universities, research institutes and small biotechnology companies.

BSc (Hons), PhD, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorney.

Mark read chemistry at Sheffield University. He was awarded the Ede and Ravenscroft prize and the Haworth medal for Chemistry for the highest overall marks in his examinations. After completing his studies at Sheffield he went to Cambridge University where he was sponsored by a large pharmaceutical company and obtained a PhD in organic chemistry. Some of his PhD work has been published.

Mark joined Potter Clarkson in May 2000. He works in the general chemical field, including catalysts, medical delivery devices, food products, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic compositions.

BSc (Hons), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorney.

Jane read genetics at the University of Wales, Swansea, choosing to specialise in the areas of human disease genetics and gene therapy technologies. As part of her undergraduate project, Jane conducted a bioinformatics study into individual DNA repair genes and their relationship to the incidences of particular cancer types. Jane was also awarded the Genetics prize for the highest finals examination marks. Prior to realising that her career path lay in the patent profession, Jane spent two years studying medicine at Oxford University.

Jane joined Potter Clarkson in October 2001 and has continued to work in the field of biotechnology. She deals with subjects including recombinant technology, antibody therapies, drug screening assays and gene therapy technologies. Jane is involved with an initiative to distribute funds to innovative business ideas arising out of East Midlands Universities. Jane has also been on the judging panel for the final of the Biotechnology YES competition in recent years.

BSc (Hons), PhD, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorney.

Mark studied microbiology and virology at the University of Warwick and obtained a PhD in Molecular Cell Biology at the same university. His studies included placements in research departments of several multinational pharmaceutical companies in the UK and Austria. Mark subsequently completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in mammalian molecular biology at Cancer Research UK in Dundee.

Mark joined Potter Clarkson in 2003 and specialises in the field of biotechnology, including screening assays, gene therapy approaches and recombinant DNA technologies. In 2005, he was awarded the Moss Prize for obtaining the highest overall mark in the foundation level patent examination papers.

BSc (Hons), PhD, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorney.

Rob read chemistry at the University of Bristol before obtaining a PhD in organometallic chemistry from the same university. He then spent three years as a post-doctoral scientist at a multinational petrochemical company in The Netherlands and at Imperial College, London. He is an author and inventor of several papers and patents and has contributed to a textbook in the fields of homogenous and polymerisation catalysis.

Rob joined Potter Clarkson in 2003 and handles patent work in the fields of medical and chemical technology, including oppositions and appeals before the European Patent Office.

MChem (Oxon), MSc, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorney.

Sarah read chemistry at the University of Oxford where she obtained an MChem. After completing her studies at Oxford, Sarah obtained an MSc in the Management of Intellectual Property from Queen Mary College, University of London.

Sarah joined Potter Clarkson in September 2004 and works in the general chemical field, including catalysts, food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic compositions and medical delivery devices.

MA (Cantab), DPhil, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorney.

Sheena read natural sciences (biochemistry) at Cambridge University before obtaining a DPhil in immunology at Oxford University. After working as a Junior Research Fellow, she went on to do three years of postdoctoral research in microbial pathogenesis at Imperial College London. Sheena has authored a dozen papers and reviews in the fields of immunology and microbiology.

Sheena joined Potter Clarkson in 2004 and handles a variety of biological and chemical technologies, with particular experience in biotechnology, including recombinant DNA technologies, immunological assays and industrial microbiological processes.

In 2006, Sheena was awarded the Moss Prize for obtaining the highest overall mark in the foundation level patent examination papers.

BSc (Hons), PhD, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorney.

Savroop studied chemistry and French at the University of Manchester. He obtained a PhD, sponsored by an international pharmaceutical company, in synthetic organic chemistry from the same university.

Since joining Potter Clarkson in September 2003, Savroop has worked in the field of chemistry, specialising in all areas of pharmaceutical chemistry.

BSc (Hons), PhD, MRSC, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorney.

James read chemistry with medicinal chemistry at Glasgow University and gained the highest overall marks in his examinations. He then obtained a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry from Cambridge University, where a large multinational pharmaceutical company sponsored his research. After spending eighteen months as a postdoctoral research associate at Columbia University, he then joined a large multinational pharmaceutical company as a medicinal chemist.

James joined Potter Clarkson in 2005 and specialises mainly in chemical and pharmaceutical inventions.

MA (Cantab), MSc, PhD, Student Member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys.

Michael read natural sciences (biochemistry) at Cambridge University before obtaining a PhD in biochemistry at the same university, where a large multinational pharmaceutical company sponsored his research. His research involved using metabolic profiling techniques to study a childhood neurodegenerative disease. During his PhD, he authored several papers in the field of functional genomics.

Michael joined Potter Clarkson in 2006 and specialises in the field of biotechnology, including drug screening assays, gene therapy approaches and recombinant DNA technologies.

In 2009, Michael was awarded the Peter FitzGibbon Memorial Award for obtaining the highest mark in one of his UK qualifying exams.

BSc (Hons), PhD, Associate of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys.

Ross studied medical microbiology at the University of Edinburgh and subsequently obtained a PhD in molecular biology and biochemistry at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. His research involved studying cellular signalling and sexual development in the malaria parasite.

Ross joined Potter Clarkson in 2006 and specialises in the field of biotechnology, including recombinant technology, antibody therapies, drug screening assays and gene therapy technologies.

BSc, PhD, Student Member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys.

Andy read applied microbiology at the University of Nottingham, before teaching secondary-level science overseas.  Upon returning to the UK he undertook a PhD in Molecular Microbiology at the Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation (University of Nottingham).  During his doctorate, Andy was seconded to the Department of Molecular Biology of Umeå University, Sweden for several months.  His research concerned the identification of a bacterial RNA-binding protein and its cognate regulatory RNA's, along with exploration of their role in density-dependent gene regulation.

Andy joined Potter Clarkson in 2006 and specialises in biotechnology and biomedical patenting matters.

BSc (Hons), PhD, Student Member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Tony read chemistry with biosciences at Cardiff University, before completing his doctorate in synthetic organic chemistry at the same institution. His research was funded by a multi-national agrochemicals company and his final year presentation was awarded their first prize. His research focused on heterocyclic synthesis and has been the subject of several patents and academic papers.

Following this, Tony undertook a period of postdoctoral research at the University of Nottingham (funded by Cancer Research UK) before joining Potter Clarkson in 2007.

Tony specialises in biotechnology and biomedical patenting matters.

MSci (Hons), PhD, Student Member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

David read chemistry at the University of Nottingham and continued to complete his doctorate in bioinorganic chemistry at the same institution. His research focussed on the synthesis and characterisation of analogues of molybdenum-containing enzymes, and he was awarded the Turner prize for the most outstanding inorganic chemistry thesis of his year. He subsequently undertook a period of postdoctoral research in collaboration with a multinational chemical company.

Following this, David spent two years working in regulatory affairs for a large contract research organisation, specialising in chemicals and biocidal substances.

David joined Potter Clarkson in 2008 and works with clients in the chemical and pharmaceutical fields.

MBiochem (Oxon), PhD, Student Member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys.

Evangelia studied molecular and cellular biochemistry at the University of Oxford before carrying out research in medical genetics at the University of Cambridge. Her research involved identifying novel genetic and pharmacological modifiers of Huntington's disease pathogenesis by using Drosophila disease models. She has authored several scientific papers based on her research.

Evangelia joined Potter Clarkson in 2008 and works with clients in the biotechnology and biomedical fields.

BSc (Hons), MSc, Student Member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys.

Tom studied genetics at the University of Nottingham followed by an MSc in applied biomolecular technology at the same university.  During his MSc, Tom undertook an industrial placement working on the development of a novel genotyping assay.

Prior to joining Potter Clarkson, Tom spent four years working as a research scientist for a large multinational pharmaceutical company.  During this time, Tom carried out research in the areas of cell and molecular biology and worked on the development of several drug screening strategies.

Tom joined Potter Clarkson in 2009 and works in the biotechnology and biomedical fields.