I have over 18 years’ experience providing strategic intellectual property advice to pharma, biotech and life sciences clients. My broad expertise includes drafting and prosecution of matters in the fields of molecular and cell biology, immunology, pharmaceuticals, cell and gene therapy, medical devices and diagnostic technology.
I have extensive expertise running patent oppositions including responsibility for 5 concurrent patent oppositions making up the Australian component of the CRISPR gene editing global litigation. I also have particular expertise in securing extensions of term on pharmaceutical patents and advising on patent validity and infringement. I am also a litigation support expert having acted in revocation proceedings in the Federal Court, including to the blockbuster anti-PD-1 antibody, Keytruda.
Prior to entering the patent profession, I enjoyed a 15-year career in medical research, that included a PhD directed to antibody engineering and immunoglobulin polyreactivity. I have also engaged in breast cancer research, DNA vaccine development, as well as working for biotech start-ups in London, Switzerland and Sydney.
I am a recognised authority on gene-related patentable subject matter in both Australia and the US. I made submissions to a Senate Inquiry into the patentability of genes and biological material, and was involved in the Institute of Patent and Trademark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA) intervention application to the High Court appeal in D’Arcy v Myriad Genetics Inc. I also successfully acted for the Applicant in Arrowhead Research Corporation [2016] APO 70 – the first Patent Office decision to consider the Myriad decision. The Arrowhead decision set an important legal precedent in relation to the patentability of gene-based pharmaceutical inventions in Australia.
I am Vice President of the Institute of Patent and Trademark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA), the peak body representing Australian patent and trade mark attorneys. In this role, I am the convenor of the Governance Committee as well as convenor of the Public Relations Committee, which leads IPTA’s political engagement (lobbying) strategy, particularly in relation to proposed changes to Australian patent legislation and innovation policy.
I am a former lecturer and course coordinator for the University of Technology Sydney’s postgraduate law program and the Masters of Intellectual Property subject “Interpretation and Validity of Patent Specifications”, which provides a pathway to registration for Australian patent attorneys. I also formerly taught the University of NSW course “Myths and Realities of Personalised Medicine: The Genetic Revolution”.
I am a regular speaker on intellectual property, and have made numerous TV, radio and print media appearances regarding IP developments.
Qualifications
- Australian Patent Attorney
- New Zealand Patent Attorney
Industry Areas
- Pharmaceuticals
- Life Science & Biotechnology
- Gene & Cell therapy technologies
- Agribusiness
Educational Background
- Master of Industrial Property
- PhD (Immunology/Antibody engineering)
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) Molecular and Cell Biology
Professional Affiliations
- Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia (Fellow)
- Intellectual Property Society of Australia & New Zealand (Member)