Sarah has 30 years’ experience drafting, prosecuting and defending patents, primarily before the European Patent Office (EPO). She practices across a broad biotechnology subject matter base, including sequencing technology, genetics, gene delivery, vaccines, antibodies, diagnostic markers, personalised medicine, pharmaceutical formulation and dosage regimens and research tools.
Sarah has an extensive opposition practice, both defending and attacking, before the Opposition Division and Boards of Appeal at the EPO, notably on early cases relating to research tools such as PCR and more recently in relation to antibody therapeutics. She has also provided litigation support, particularly on cases where she has been handling related oppositions at the EPO.
A substantial amount of Sarah’s work is for US clients, prosecuting applications at the EPO and defending the resulting granted European patents in oppositions, as well as attacking third party patents. Sarah is a regular visitor to the US, particularly to the Bay Area. Sarah regularly gives talks on aspects of European practice, particularly relating to patenting of antibodies and opposition strategy.
She has provided advice to many small and medium-sized companies, particularly in the UK and Scandinavia, including filing strategies and portfolio reviews, drafting specifications, and coordinating and managing foreign filings.
Year Joined Firm: 1997
Education/Alumni: University of Cambridge, Masters Degree in Natural Sciences (Cellular and Genetic Pathology and Virology)
Network Memberships:
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)
- Member of the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (EPI)
- Member of the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) Intellectual Property Advisory Committee
Last updated 5th February 2021
