Philip Thomas
BSc (Hons), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, Registered UK and European Trade Mark Attorney, European Patent Attorney, Patent Agent Litigator, Member of AIPPI, LES and SCI.
Philip studied microbiology and virology at the University of Warwick and has a particular interest in recombinant nucleic acid technology; immunology; vaccination techniques; and protein engineering.
After working in private practice at Withers & Rogers for five years, Philip joined Potter Clarkson in 1994. He became a partner in 1998 and joined the Board of Management in January 2006, with particular responsibility for business development.
Philip has over 20 years experience of securing patent protection for inventions in the biotech and pharma fields. His specialist areas include nucleic acid recombination; protein engineering; antibody-based technologies; and biopharmaceuticals. He also has great experience of patenting biochemical assays, reagents and kits.
A large part of Philip's practice is devoted to European Patent Office (EPO) patent oppositions and appeals. He is an experienced advocate, having represented patentees and opponents in more than 150 hearings before the Opposition Divisions and Boards of Appeal of the EPO. He has also been involved in multi-jurisdictional biotech patent disputes across Europe and was awarded a Patent Litigator Certificate in 2001.
Philip has earned a reputation for success in patent disputes: easy to work with, but very hard to fight against. However, clients value that he always sees patent disputes in the wider context of the business and is proactive in suggesting settlement options if that will deliver the best commercial outcome.
Another large part of his practice is advising early stage companies on the development of effective IP strategies to support business planning. He has helped guide several UK and overseas companies through IP due diligence in successful private and public financing rounds.
Philip understands the value of IP as a business tool and his pragmatic commercial approach is valued by clients.
In 2011 and 2012, Chambers UK guide to the legal profession has ranked Philip as a leading individual and quoted one client as saying "he understands both the scientific and business aspects of what we're trying to do and comes up with brilliant ideas".
Outside of work, Philip enjoys fencing, football, golf and having fun with family and friends.
