Andrew Wu

Associate

Andrew is an Associate in the Biotechnology team at Carpmaels & Ransford. He has particular expertise in molecular biology, cell biology, and genetics and has a PhD level research background in biosciences.

 

Andrew enjoys building effective and collaborative working relationships to understand clients’ commercial objectives and implement them effectively using tailored prosecution strategies and careful portfolio management. He is experienced in handling patent and utility model prosecution, offensive and defensive EPO oppositions and appeals, European and global portfolio management, drafting, and supplementary protection certificates, for large and small clients.

Andrew’s current areas of focus include nucleic acid technologies and gene therapies, engineered therapeutic proteins, cell engineering, genetics, and diagnostics. Andrew’s detailed understanding of pathological mutations and gene fusions in cancers contributed to the successful revocation of a key European patent on behalf of a large European pharmaceutical company. His knowledge of biomarkers and synthetic lethality relationships underlying targeted therapies has also allowed him to provide creative and sound technical arguments in successful EPO oppositions and appeals.

A particular area of interest for Andrew is the use of biotechnology and microbial fermentation in manufacture of food and medicine. Andrew can quickly understand these new and complex technologies while helping clients to strategically manage their IP in these rapidly moving fields, and navigate at the intersection of patent law, regulatory law, and sustainability.

Prior to joining Carpmaels & Ransford as a trainee in 2019, Andrew completed a PhD at the Francis Crick Institute and UCL where he integrated genetic, genomic, proteomic, and bioinformatic approaches to understand how aberrant transcription of non-coding RNAs is regulated. His research contributions were published in the peer-reviewed journals Molecular Cell, Life Science Alliance, and Transcription. Before this, Andrew obtained a first-class degree in Biochemistry from UCL and completed research projects which characterised the signalling functions of tight junction proteins in epithelial cells, and the structural properties of large transcriptional regulatory complexes.

Outside of the office, Andrew loves to spend time outdoors and can be found racing bicycles, exploring mountains, and learning to ski.

Qualifications

  • European Patent Attorney
  • BSc Biochemistry (University College London)
  • PhD (The Francis Crick Institute / University College London)
  • CertIP Certificate in Intellectual Property Law