Tom Harding
Tom is an experienced life sciences patent attorney who helps clients develop IP strategies that best support their commercial goals. Having worked in industry, he understands the challenges companies face in bringing innovations to market and the importance of a fully aligned IP strategy.
Tom advises clients of all sizes and across the globe, including universities, SMEs and multinational corporations.
With specialisms in oncology, antibodies, nucleic acids, biomarkers, therapeutics and diagnostics, he helps life sciences companies devise, develop and adapt global intellectual property (IP) strategies to protect their own rights and navigate those of others. He is also experienced in patent oppositions and appeals, including both opposing and defending patents before the European Patent Office (EPO).
As the partner responsible for professional training within the firm, Tom is passionate about supporting the development of the next generation of patent attorneys. He is also proud to be an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham, where he lectures on all aspects of IP.
- Preparing companies for fundraising and IP due diligence
- Innovation capture and drafting patent applications
- Prosecuting patent applications to grant across the globe
- Devising, developing, and adapting global IP strategies
- Preparing freedom-to-operate (FTO), validity, and patentability opinions
- Opposing and defending patents in oppositions and appeals before the EPO
Industries
- UK and European Patent Attorney
- Unitary Patent Court (UPC) Representative
- MSc, Applied Biomolecular Technology, University of Nottingham
- BSc, Genetics, University of Nottingham
Tom provides highly qualified support and guidance with regards to new IP filings - both at the “in-depth/detailed technical discussions” with our R&D/Clinical teams as well as the high-level holistic overview painting to management/board members. Tom’s responses are always with record-short turnaround, yet super professional, high quality and with “ready-to-use” directives and guidelines. Tom is an IP star.
- Nick Wilson Memorial Award: Highest mark overall in one of the UK patent attorney qualifying exams
About Tom
Experience
Areas of expertise
Qualifications
Testimonials
Awards
How We Live Our Values: Collaboration
I’m passionate about supporting clients in obtaining the IP they need to achieve their goals. Solving their IP problems, guiding them toward success, and ultimately making their lives easier is hugely rewarding. I also value the opportunity to support our trainees as they grow into top-quality attorneys, and to share IP knowledge more widely outside the firm. Collaboration is at the heart of how I work, whether I’m supporting clients or helping colleagues grow in their roles.
In My Own Words
Finding a career that allowed me to keep using my scientific background was important to me. More than 16 years in, I still feel incredibly fortunate to work at the cutting edge of multiple life sciences technologies, while helping clients around the world protect and commercialise their innovations. It’s both fascinating and deeply rewarding.
