Philip Thomas Email & Phone Number

BSc (Hons) Microbiology & Virology, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, Registered UK and European Trademark Attorney, European Patent Attorney, Patent Attorney Litigator, Unified Patent Court Representative.I have over 25 years experience of securing patent protection for inventions in the biotech and pharma fields. My specialist areas include nucleic acid recombination; protein engineering; antibody-based technologies; and biopharmaceuticals. I also have experience of patenting biochemical assays, reagents and kits.A large part of my current practice is devoted to European Patent Office (EPO) patent oppositions and appeals. I have acted as lead advocate in cases for patentees or opponents in more than 150 hearings before the Opposition Divisions and Boards of Appeal of the EPO. I was awarded a Patent Litigator Certificate in 2001 and have been involved in multi-jurisdictional biotech and other patent disputes across Europe, often coordinating EPO opposition and appeals with parallel national litigation. I have been a Unified Patent Court Representative since the court opened in June 2023.I try to see patent disputes in the wider context of my client's business goals and will be proactive in suggesting settlement options if that will deliver the best commercial outcome.Another large part of my practice is advising early stage companies on the development of effective IP strategies to support business planning. I have helped guide several UK and overseas companies through IP due diligence in successful private and public financing rounds.

Listed skills include Patents, Biotechnology, Opposition, Appeals, and 13 others.