Whether it be optimising a process, finding a new use for a compound, or developing a new formulation, patents provide protection for a broad range of chemical innovations. In emerging fields of Chemistry, there are great opportunities for utilising patent protection, for example:
- artificial humic matter from biomass – protecting humic acid-based technologies for use in tackling climate change;
- sonochemical coating technologies – protecting new sonochemically coated materials for medical applications;
- sustainable ammonia production – protecting environmentally friendlier production processes;
- semi-synthetic life – protecting novel processes for producing designer compounds;
- single-cell metabolomics – protecting methods for obtaining a snapshot of the metabolome;
- chemical synthesis of RNA and DNA – protecting improved processes for separating and purifying RNA and DNA;
- chemiluminescence for biological use – protecting chemiluminescent probes suitable for use in bioimaging;
- superwettability – protecting new artificial superwettable systems and processes for their manufacture;
- targeted protein degradation – protecting therapeutics comprising targeted protein degradation inducing molecules; and
- blockchain technology – protecting new tracer technologies.
The chemistry practice group at Forresters assists clients in obtaining patents for their innovations before the European Patent Office (EPO), the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO), and the German Patent and Trademark Office (DMPA). We also have the resources, through our network of associates, to manage our clients’ global patent portfolios.
All of our attorneys have a technical background in chemistry and, as a group, we have expertise in a wide range of chemical fields. In particular, our attorneys draft and prosecute patents in fields ranging from small molecules, industrial products, catalysis, coating compositions, batteries, nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals and analytical chemistry to metallurgy. We also work closely with our life sciences practice group on cross-over inventions, where both chemistry and life sciences knowledge is needed.
Our expertise in the field of chemical inventions, and navigating chemistry specific European patent law, gives our clients the highest chance of success in obtaining commercially useful patents for their technologies.
We handle all stages of the patenting process, from drafting through to prosecution, grant, and validation. We also have substantial expertise in handling post-grant proceedings, particularly EPO opposition and appeal proceedings, and preparing opinions on patentability, potential patent infringement, freedom to operate, and due diligence.