Biography
Partner
BA (Hons) (Chemistry), MA, Chartered Patent Attorney, European Patent Attorney, Registered Trade Mark Attorney, European Trade Mark Attorney, Member of the International Association for the Protection of Industrial Property, Member of the Union of European Practitioners in Industrial Property, Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry
Huw is one of the most experienced practitioners in the chemical and biotechnology field in Europe.
Huw started his career in the firm after graduating in Chemistry from Oxford University in 1980, working on early biotechnology cases for the UK company, Celltech Limited, then in its start-up phase. This early experience has been expanded and built on over the years. In that time, Huw has assisted many fledgling companies to develop effective patent portfolios. He advises major corporate clients in Europe, USA and Japan in all aspects of patent prosecution, opposition, due diligence, supplementary protection certificates and litigation.
His portfolio extends across a wide range of chemical and biotechnological technologies including general recombinant DNA technology, gene activation technology, antisense technology, siRNA, high throughput screening, microarray technology, antibody technology, chemical synthesis, transdermal patches, polyester films and fibres, lipid and liposome technology, polycarbonate compositions, small molecule pharmaceuticals, formulation chemistry, vaccines, assay technology (including luminescent assays), recombinant DNA production methods, bioinformatics and viral vector systems.
Huw aspires to bring a balanced mix of chemical and biological knowledge to his work. Procedurally, Huw has wide experience in the preparation, filing and prosecution of UK and European patent applications and especially European Patent Office (EPO) opposition proceedings. In the latter area he has been the lead advocate in a large number of high profile (frequently multiparty) oppositions both before the Opposition Divisions and the Technical Boards of Appeal of the EPO. Although based in London, Huw spends a considerable amount of time in Munich and Rijswijk, meeting clients and preparing for and attending EPO hearings and Examiner interviews.
MoreHuw is one of our partners responsible for clients in the Far East, especially Japan which he has been visiting at least once a year for over 25 years.
In the wider professional context, Huw is President of the Life Sciences Commission of UNION and member of the British Council of UNION. He is a member of FICPI and serves on the Professional Excellence Commission (PEC). He is a member of the Approved Regulator forum of the UK IP services regulator, IPReg. He is a member of the EPO Disciplinary Board of Appeal. He has been and remains an active committee member of the CIPA Benevolent Association.
Huw enjoys spending time with his family, sailing, skiing, and walking in the mountains. He enjoys music, particularly choral singing and is Chairman of the Governing Body of a state academy for 900 11-16 year olds.
