Nucleic acids &

molecular biology

The promise of the human genome project is beginning to be fulfilled. Rapid whole-genome sequencing is now a reality. At the same time, ever more powerful techniques have been developed which have enabled tiny amounts of DNA to be detected from a sample; and we have editing techniques which allow us to precisely target and modify specific genes.

These exciting development are underpinned by core platform technologies. At Mewburn Ellis, we have considerable experience of providing IP protection for core platforms in molecular biology, as well as their innovative applications in research, agriculture and medicine. Many of our experienced patent attorneys have laboratory experience in this area and are supported by talented new recruits with up-to-date practical expertise.

Our work encompasses a wide range of genetic engineering, synthetic biology and analytic techniques. We have recently assisted the University of California, Berkley in the UK in obtaining European patents for CRISPR-Cas9 technology. We also have a long history of working with next-generation sequencing companies, including those developing approaches to single molecule and deep sequencing. 

Bioinformatics is becoming critically important in handling and interpreting the vast amount of data that can be generated from molecular biology. We offer a cross-disciplinary group with both IP and scientific expertise in this area. We also have a close working relationship with the specialist group of bioinformatics Examiners at the EPO. We can advise on how to write and prosecute patents with the best chances of success, taking into account the often complex requirements both in Europe and worldwide.

Read more on our Bioinformatics spotlight page.

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Bioinformatics & Digital Health

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Gene Editing

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Sequencing & Bioanalytics

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Synthetic Biology

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Patent_Landscape_in_Bioinformatics_and_Digital_Health_Special_Report_2021-2-Compressed

Special Report

Patent Landscape in Bioinformatics and Digital Health: a data-driven analysis

The words "digital health", "data driven" and "AI" have been on everyone's lips and in many headlines in the healthcare and life sciences sectors over the last couple of years. We set out to collect data on the patent landscape in the fields of bioinformatics and digital health, to see whether the growth we and our clients see in the field is reflected in the data and whether insights can be gained that will assist in designing better, more informed IP strategies.

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Read our Blogs

UPC Weekly - The 9 second rule at the UPC

UPC Weekly - The 9 second rule at the UPC

by Matthew Naylor

2024 Week 50 Does it matter who gets to the doors of the UPC first? Does it matter if you get there too early? The UPC Central Division Milan has been exploring these basic questions in Pfizer v ...

UPC Weekly - Very appealing – preliminary injunction overturned

UPC Weekly - Very appealing – preliminary injunction overturned

by Matthew Naylor

2024 Week 49 SharkNinja have managed to persuade the UPC Court of Appeal to overturn a preliminary injunction awarded to Dyson. We investigate what made the difference in the appeal and consider what ...

UPC Weekly - Front-loading and obviousness at the UPC

UPC Weekly - Front-loading and obviousness at the UPC

by Matthew Naylor

2024 Week 48 In NJOY v VMR, the UPC Central Division Paris revoked VMR’s patent EP 3456214 B2 on 27 November 2024. The patent was held to be obvious, despite being maintained in amended form by the ...

UPC Weekly - UPC finds infringement using a doctrine of equivalents

UPC Weekly - UPC finds infringement using a doctrine of equivalents

by Matthew Naylor

2024 Week 47 Back in June 2024 (UPC Weekly 2024 week 23), we set out a few “known unknowns” – important developments in UPC case law that we expected to come in due course. New UPC decision Plant-e v ...

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Forward Magazines Overlapping 8

Mewburn Ellis

FORWARD MAGAZINE

Mewburn Ellis Forward is a biannual publication that celebrates the best of innovation and exploration. Through its pages we hope to inform and entertain, but also to encourage discussion about the most compelling developments taking place in the scientific and entrepreneurial world. Along the way, we’ll engage with the IP challenges that international organisations face every day.