Simon has vast experience within life sciences and biotechnology sector, working with a range of clients from universities and spin-outs to large multinationals.

Simon has specific expertise in creating IP strategies for start-ups, spin-outs and SMEs so as to maximise the value of IP for his clients, a good number of whom have gone on to secure significant investment, agree licencing deals or list on the stock exchange.

He has particular experience in gene and cell therapy, microbiome, medical devices and next generation diagnostics. He holds an Intellectual Property Litigation Certificate and is also a UPC Representative.

Simon is a highly regarded attorney and is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers & Partners, listed as a Key Lawyer by the Legal500, listed as an IP Star by Managing IP and ranked in IAM Strategy 300 for Legal, Biotech, Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals/Life Sciences.

Education & background

Simon has previously worked in-house at a global corporation, giving him a unique perspective from which he can provide commercially focused advice to his clients.

Simon gained his BSc in Genetics from the University of Liverpool in 1998, where he then went on to study for his Masters in Oncology at the University of Nottingham, researching the localisation of mRNAs for endothelial specific transcription factors during development by in situ hybridisation.

Daniel is a keen chemist who has worked with a wide range of chemical companies throughout his career. He has particular experience in the oil & gas sector, as well as in mineral chemistry, green technology, industrial decarbonisation, materials, minerals, industrial cement manufacture and pharmaceuticals. He finds sectors that crossover with chemistry particularly interesting, such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, raw material recycling processes and paper technology.

Much of Daniel’s work focuses on patent prosecution, drafting and contentious matters relating to European and UK patents. He also has significant experience managing global patent portfolios for SMEs and fast-growing start-ups, having worked in-house at a successful German start-up where he was responsible implementing an IP system and developing a robust IP strategy to keep potential competitors off the market. From this first-hand in-house experience, Daniel understands the pressures faced and knows how to work with in-house counsel in the most effective, cost-efficient and useful way.

Education & background

Daniel graduated from St John’s College, at the University of Oxford, with an MChem degree in 2014. The master’s degree involved a final year research project, which Daniel focused on the synthesis of dihydroconduramines, investigated for their potential use in the treatment of conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Daniel joined the profession in 2014. He qualified as a UK patent attorney in 2017, receiving the prestigious Gill Prize for the highest aggregate mark in the qualifying examinations. He qualified as a European patent attorney in 2018, achieving the 14th highest mark in Europe. He joined Withers & Rogers in 2023, having previously worked in other top patent firms in Germany and the UK and leading the patent team for one of the fastest growing start-ups in Germany. Daniel is also currently an Examiner for the UK Patent Drafting examination paper.

Matthew has experience drafting and prosecuting applications primarily relating to telecommunications, mobile devices, computer implemented inventions, automobiles and software. He has particular experience of drafting and prosecuting telecommunications patent applications relating to standard essential patents (SEPs) and is knowledgeable about various communications standards, including 4G/LTE and 5G. Matthew has also successfully prosecuted many computer-implemented inventions and graphical user interface patents at the European Patent Office, and is well versed in the related case law.

Matthew has experience working with clients from individual inventors to large multi-national corporations. Matthew has also worked in litigation, and in particular has gained experience of SEP licensing negotiation and litigation in the telecommunications sector.

Education & background

Matthew has worked in the patent profession since 2016 and is a qualified Chartered (UK) and European Patent Attorney. Before joining the patent profession, Matthew completed a master’s degree in physics at the University of York, with a focus on plasma physics.