Mike Snodin
Mike joined Potter Clarkson in 1998 after having completed a doctorate (at Oxford University) and post-doctoral studies (at the Max-Planck Institut für Strahlenchemie) in biomimetic coordination chemistry, and having worked as a researcher in the fuel cells group of Johnson Matthey. Mike primarily handles pharmaceutical and chemical inventions for clients ranging from small and medium sized firms to multinational corporations.
His practice in this area encompasses not only the drafting and prosecution of patent applications, but also activities such as advising on IP strategy, handling opposition proceedings before the European patent office, advising on freedom-to-operate, and assisting in due diligence exercises connected with licensing, investment or financing.
Unusually for a patent attorney, Mike advises in relation to "regulatory" forms of intellectual property that are relevant to regulated, bioactive products. In particular, Mike has expertise in the law relating to Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs, a form of IP that can provide an additional monopoly period beyond patent expiry for some pharmaceutical, veterinary and plant protection products). Indeed, Mike has lectured widely on SPCs, and has authored a number of influential articles on the topic, including an article that was the first to propose the concept of negative term SPCs, a concept now accepted by the Court of Justice of European Union in case C-125/10.
