Joe Abdalla

Joe works in the Chemistry team at Carpmaels & Ransford. His practice focuses on small-molecule drugs and pharmaceutical compositions, as well as a range of chemical technologies including industrial processes, catalysts, pigments and inks. This reflects Joe’s strong technical background in organometallic and inorganic chemistry. A significant proportion of Joe’s work relates to contentious proceedings before the EPO spanning a broad range of chemical subject-matter and he regularly represents clients before the EPO Opposition Divisions and Boards of Appeal. He has also argued cases before the Swiss Federal Patent Court on two occasions.

Joe has been involved in complex, multi-party EPO opposition and appeal proceedings, including cases relating to blockbuster pharmaceutical products. A number of these cases have been allied to national litigation proceedings in various European countries. Joe has therefore been involved in UK High Court proceedings, as well as providing input into litigation in other European countries running parallel to EPO oppositions. He has also worked on global patent families involving litigation in the Far East. This experience of disputes in a wide range of jurisdictions means that Joe is particularly mindful of the potential implications of strategies adopted during drafting and prosecution on post-grant proceedings and he can provide sound advice throughout the patent lifecycle.

Besides patent work, Joe has valuable experience of obtaining SPC protection for pharmaceutical products and has worked on a number of pan-European SPC families.

Prior to joining Carpmaels & Ransford, Joe obtained a first-class Masters degree in Chemistry from Magdalen College, Oxford, before staying at Oxford to study for a DPhil in organometallic chemistry. The primary focus of his research was the use of aluminium and gallium in catalysis and bond activation processes. During his DPhil, Joe published a number of papers in peer-reviewed journals, including Nature Chemistry, and received a scholarship for his research from the Vice Chancellor’s Fund at Oxford University.

Joe is a keen rower and raced in the Oxford reserve crew, Isis, against Cambridge in the 2015 Boat Race. When on dry land, he is often found hiking through the countryside or exploring it on his bike.