Philip Thomas

Background

About Philip Thomas

BSc (Hons) Microbiology & Virology, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, Registered UK and European Trademark Attorney, European Patent Attorney, Patent Attorney Litigator, Unified Patent Court Representative. I have over 30 years experience of securing patent protection for inventions in the biotech and pharma fields. My specialist areas include nucleic acid recombination; protein engineering; antibody-based technologies; and biopharmaceuticals. My current practice is devoted to European Patent Office (EPO) patent oppositions and appeals. I have acted as lead advocate in cases for patentees or opponents in more than 150 hearings before the Opposition Divisions and Boards of Appeal of the EPO. I was awarded a Patent Litigator Certificate in 2001 and have been involved in multi-jurisdictional biotech and other patent disputes across Europe, often coordinating EPO opposition and appeals with parallel national litigation. I have been a Unified Patent Court Representative since the court opened in June 2023. I try to see patent disputes in the wider context of my client's business goals and will be proactive in suggesting settlement options if that will deliver the best commercial outcome.