Paul Bettridge

Partner

Paul sits within our Engineering and Tech teams, predominantly working within the healthcare sector, for innovator SMEs, joint ventures and multinational healthcare companies. He particularly enjoys working with companies in the life sciences sector to develop patent portfolios covering engineering and technology innovations. Recently this has involved working for clients in areas such as electrochemical molecular diagnostics, cytometry and bioelectronics. Paul also handles a significant prosecution and opposition workload across a number of different medical devices, including minimally invasive surgical instruments, endoscopic accessories, sutures and injection devices.

Paul’s contentious work involves EPO oppositions, at both first instance and appeal. In these matters he is quick to confront weaknesses in a case, and works creatively to strengthen them, first by thinking around a problem, and second by talented advocacy. Lately he has notched up several notable victories, which are the culmination of wider due diligence strategies that Paul has developed and maintained for his clients over a number of years. To that end, Paul is experienced in coordinating cost-effective clearance and monitoring projects aimed at keeping a close watch on his clients’ interests.

Paul also works with a number of clients in a variety of other exciting engineering sectors including defence, commercial laundry, safety razors and energy storage. Whatever the field, Paul works hard to develop an understanding of the challenges facing the industry and whether building a portfolio, or devising a freedom to operate strategy, adapts his approach to suit his client’s circumstances and goals. With the scene set, he applies unquenchable enthusiasm and a decade of first class experience to his work.

Paul’s client work is complemented by his long-standing involvement with Tech City. He has provided one-to-one IP clinics for various start-up companies and university enterprise ventures for several years. Most recently, Paul hosted an interactive session for students at London Southbank University’s Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, sharing his knowledge and experience in design rights.

Qualifications

  • MEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering (University of Sheffield)
  • Chartered Patent Attorney
  • European Patent Attorney
  • UPC Representative