Annabel Strawson

Annabel has a diverse portfolio of clients and patent work in life sciences. Annabel enjoys contentious work, driven by her involvement in high-profile, multi-party oppositions at the EPO. She works with clients to defend high-value patents during opposition proceedings in Europe, and has participated in complex litigation strategies around the world, including ANDA litigation in the US and opposition proceedings in Australia.

Annabel applies her litigation experience to her patent prosecution work and builds robust, practical patent portfolios. Always quick to consider the commercial goals, whether drafting new applications or advising on country coverage, she helps her clients to establish licensing strategies and to recognise opportunities for maximising patent term of commercial products.

Working with global pharmaceuticals and start-up biotechnology companies she is familiar with a broad range of life sciences subject matter including antibody technology, antisense therapeutics, blood products, vaccines, small molecule pharmaceuticals and stem cell culture methods and platform technologies.

Annabel qualified as a UK and European patent attorney in 2014, and was awarded the Michael Jones Prize for achieving the highest mark in the UK finals level patent prosecution paper. Before joining the patent profession, she gained valuable industry insight while working for Procter & Gamble. She also worked at Future Science Group, a publisher of medical journals, where she contributed to the conception and launch of a new journal focusing on intellectual property in the pharmaceutical industry.

Annabel received her academic training at Oxford University where she graduated with a first class degree in Biochemistry, receiving a University Gibbs Prize for her final exams. During her studies she carried out research in the field of molecular and structural biology, which led to a publication in PLoS Biology.

Annabel has been an active member of several committees for the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys. She directed the student body from 2012-2013 and enjoys organising social events, from pub quizzes to cheese and wine nights. She also runs a weekly maths club for primary school children in Holborn with a team of volunteers at Carpmaels & Ransford.

Outside of work, Annabel enjoys trekking, triathlons and trips abroad.