Sam Grayer

Sam is a member of the Life Sciences group, with particular experience in small molecule pharmaceuticals, polymeric drugs, imaging agents, delivery vehicles for nucleic acids and proteins, recombinant proteins, assays and diagnostic methods.

Sam’s PhD research was at the interface between the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, which means he is well placed to handle subject-matter across the two sectors. He is experienced in prosecuting patent applications at the European Patent Office and has been involved in defending and opposing patents in post-grant opposition proceedings.

Sam holds a first class masters degree in Chemistry from the University of Oxford. During the third year of his degree, he completed a summer internship at BP Chemicals, where he researched the Fischer‑Tropsch process. His final year masters project involved developing hypoxia-activated prodrugs to selectively target hypoxic tumour cells. On completion of his undergraduate degree, Sam enrolled on a DPhil at the University of Oxford. His research focused on the development of probes for glutathione-gated bacterial potassium efflux systems (Kef). Kef shows potential as a novel antibiotic target and Sam’s work demonstrated for the first time that small molecules targeting Kef exhibit antibacterial activity. The project involved cycles of computational chemistry, organic synthesis, protein expression and purification, and the development of various biophysical assays.

Sam joined Carpmaels & Ransford in 2015, qualifying as a Chartered Patent Attorney in 2019. He also obtained the Intellectual Property Litigation Certificate in 2019.

Outside the office, Sam enjoys playing squash, running and going to the theatre.