Department:
Chemical & Life Sciences

Location:
London

Service:
Patents

Industry:
Biotechnology, Chemical, Medical Devices, Nanotechnology, Natural Resources, Pharmaceutical

Languages:
German

Contact: sgill@vennershipley.co.uk

Siân is a Chartered and European patent attorney specialising in the drafting, filing and prosecution of patent applications in fields that include pharmaceuticals, formulation technology, drug delivery, molecular biology, biological assays, gene sequences, DNA sequencing technologies, array technologies, genomics proteomics, stem cells, diagnostics, cancer therapeutics, immuno-therapeutics, cell culturing technology and equipment, medical devices, filter technology and packaging technology.

Siân entered the patent profession in 1995, training in a private practice firm before joining Venner Shipley in 1998.  She has considerable experience of opposing and defending patents granted by the European Patent Office, including high-profile cases relating to blockbuster drugs for treating respiratory disorders.  As a result, Siân regularly attends hearings before Examining and Opposition Divisions of the European Patent Office in Munich and The Hague.

Siân has a substantial experience in the field of drug delivery and particularly enjoys the combination of different technical disciplines this field involves, including pharmacology, physiology and physical chemistry.

Siân likes to work very closely with clients, especially start-up companies and SMEs, to ensure that they get the most out of their intellectual property, making sure that key development work is adequately protected and devising IP strategies to give them a competitive advantage. Siân has recently been acting in this role for one of Britain’s largest biotech companies, not only getting to know their technology and products, but also that of their development partners and competitors, as well as the industry sector in general.  Obtaining funding is very important for many of Siân’s clients and she has assisted in this by providing due diligence reports and attending meetings with potential investors to advise on the value of IP assets.  Siân also regularly provides advice on infringement issues.

Professional Memberships

Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
Member of the European Patent Institute

Education

Siân has an honours degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Oxford and a Masters degree in the Management of Intellectual Property from Queen Mary, University of London.