Nidhi Anand is a Partner at Chadha & Chadha, leading the firm’s Bangalore and Hyderabad offices. With a background in biotechnology, she advises clients across life sciences and pharmaceuticals on patent drafting, prosecution, oppositions and portfolio strategy, bringing a people-centric and insight-led approach to leadership and IP practice.
Quick profile
Areas of expertise: Biotechnology and life sciences, patent drafting and prosecution, oppositions, portfolio strategy, IP leadership and mentoring
Nidhi’s path into intellectual property was not a carefully mapped plan but a gradual realisation that patents could play a powerful role beyond the laboratory. Early in her biotechnology training, an article shared by her father about a biopharmaceutical company using patents to scale affordable insulin production left a lasting impression. It reframed patents as tools that could balance innovation, access and fairness.
That early curiosity stayed with her. Drawn to problem-solving and understanding how complex systems work, she found that IP aligned naturally with her strengths. Over the past 14 years, that alignment has shaped her practice, allowing her to move from the lab into a profession where scientific depth meets real-world impact.
Leading with trust and perspective
Nidhi describes her leadership style as people-centric rather than hierarchical. For her, effective leadership is rooted in presence, clarity and empowerment. Creating an environment where expectations are clear and collaboration feels natural allows individuals to perform at their best.
She places particular emphasis on long-term development over short-term output. By encouraging ownership and independent thinking, while remaining available as a mentor, she aims to help teams grow not only as professionals but as individuals.
Finding reward in strategy and growth
Nidhi remains closely involved across the full spectrum of patent work, from drafting and prosecution to oppositions and portfolio strategy. What has evolved over time is her perspective on that work. Increasingly, she finds fulfilment in building client trust, contributing to firm growth and shaping portfolios that are robust and forward-looking.
Portfolio strategy, in particular, stands out as especially rewarding. It allows her to connect technical detail with commercial insight, helping clients strengthen their positions in a way that is thoughtful, fair and sustainable, while also supporting the broader direction of the firm.
Advising across a changing life sciences landscape
Working in biotechnology, life sciences and pharmaceuticals means operating in sectors that are both complex and fast-moving. Recent years have seen a rise in litigation around biosimilars and biologics, requiring careful navigation of biologics patents, data exclusivity gaps and trade secret protection. At the same time, AI-driven diagnostics and digital health tools have introduced new uncertainties around patentability under Indian law.
Advising such a diverse client base, from start-ups to multinational companies, demands flexibility. For start-ups, Nidhi focuses on clarity, accessibility and prioritisation, helping founders decide what needs protection now and what can wait. For multinationals, the emphasis shifts to refining mature strategies, pressure-testing positions and occasionally offering a contrarian view to strengthen decision-making. Across both, trust and clear communication remain constant.
India’s evolving IP ecosystem
Over the last decade, Nidhi has seen significant progress in India’s IP framework. Improvements at the Indian Patent Office, including digitisation and more predictable examination practices, have increased confidence in prosecution outcomes. The establishment of dedicated IP Divisions within the High Courts has also strengthened enforcement and aligned Indian jurisprudence more closely with international standards.
These changes have allowed advisors to move beyond procedural navigation and focus more on portfolio quality, enforcement readiness and long-term value. Collaboration across Chadha & Chadha’s offices plays a central role here, ensuring that every matter benefits from shared knowledge, consistent quality standards and the firm’s collective experience.
Learning, mentoring and paying it forward
Staying connected to training and knowledge-sharing is both professionally grounding and personally motivating for Nidhi. Preparing for lectures and mentoring sessions gives her space to step back, revisit fundamentals and engage with emerging issues. At heart, she remains deeply curious.
Mentoring, however, carries a deeper responsibility. Having benefited from being trusted with responsibility early in her own career, she now aims to strike the same balance for others, offering stretch opportunities alongside guidance. For her, training and mentoring are integral to practice, reinforcing a culture of learning and mutual value creation for the team and the firm.
Experience as a woman in IP
Since entering the profession in 2012, Nidhi’s experience as a woman in IP has been shaped by an inclusive environment. With women making up a significant proportion of leadership at her firm, competence and judgment take precedence over gender. This has allowed her to focus on building technical depth, client trust and mentoring the next generation.
While the profession continues to evolve, she sees the trajectory as positive. The increasing adoption of flexible career structures and well-designed re-entry pathways, refelcts a broader recognition that diverse career stages can coexist with long-term professional growth in IP for women.
Switching off
Outside of work, Nidhi values time with family and close friends. Simple pleasure such as shared meals, board games and converation provide an opportunity to unwind and recharge.
Looking ahead
Reflecting on her journey, Nidhi emphasises the importance of technical depth, curiosity and adaptability for today’s IP practitioners, particularly in high-tech and biotech fields. As emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing and synthetic biology reshape patent landscapes, she believes thoughtful strategy, sound judgment and clear communication will matter more than ever. For those willing to invest in learning and take ownership of their work, IP remains a profession where experience compounds and impact grows over time.
Meet the IP Professional is a PatWorld interview series exploring the people and perspectives shaping the intellectual property profession. Discover more interviews in the Meet the IP Professional hub, and find out more about PatWorld — a global IP search provider working with IP professionals worldwide to support informed patent, design and trade mark decisions — on our About Us page.
At the forefront of biotech patenting and innovation sits Ross Cummings, a partner at Gill Jennings & Every LLP (GJE), whose career has been shaped by scientific rigor, a deep commitment to clients, and a passion for future-forward technologies. With a PhD in molecular biology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and nearly two decades of IP experience under his belt, Ross brings a rare fusion of technical depth and commercial strategy to one of the most fast-moving areas in intellectual property: cellular immunotherapy and RNA-based technologies. PatWorld sat down with Ross to discuss recent data relating to cellular immunotherapy, as well as his career journey, strategic insights, and the trends shaping the future of biotech IP.
From the Lab Bench to the Patent Bar
Ross’s journey into the world of patents began during his doctoral work on malaria enzymes. It was then that a Japanese patent, offering unexpected insights into his research, altered the trajectory of his thesis—and eventually his career. “It gave me the tools to push my research forward,” Ross reflects. “That was my first exposure to the value of patents—not just as legal instruments, but as sources of technical knowledge.”
Since then, Ross has become a trusted adviser to biotech innovators, working with companies across the UK, Europe, the US, and Asia. His experience spans everything from gene therapies and diagnostics to CRISPR and synthetic biology.
Navigating the Patent Boom in Cell and Gene Therapies
Ross’s enthusiasm for biotech is palpable, particularly when discussing the renaissance in RNA and cell therapies. “We’re in a period of rapid acceleration,” he says. “COVID-19 changed everything. It proved RNA technologies could be safe, fast, and effective, and that opened the floodgates.”
The data backs this up. Landscape charts generated by PatWorld show a sharp rise in first-priority patent filings over the past decade in cellular immunotherapy—a trend Ross believes is sustainable, provided financing remains strong. “We feel very busy, and that’s usually a good indicator,” he notes.
Figure 1: First Priority Year (see Landscape Charts)
Global Trends and Shifting Hubs
When reviewing Figure 2, which maps first-priority countries, Ross notes the dominant presence of the US in this space. “That’s not surprising—the US biotech scene has much deeper funding,” he comments. “But the UK is punching above its weight, even if some of that activity is driven by a handful of companies.”
He also points to China’s rapidly growing interest in antibodies and biologics. “We’re seeing more biotech filings from China, and companies there are now licensing innovations back to US pharma firms. That’s a shift worth watching.”
Figure 2: 1st Priority Country (see Landscape Charts)
Strategic IP in a Crowded Landscape
For biotech start-ups working in competitive areas like RNA or CAR-T therapies, Ross stresses the importance of early, robust data. “The patent system is shifting—strong experimental support is more important than ever,” he explains.
He also encourages companies to embrace flexibility: “A narrow claim might still be powerful in biotech, especially if it directly protects your approved product. It’s about tailoring your IP strategy to your development path.”
The Human Element in High-Stakes Innovation
Ross is especially motivated by the potential of these therapies to transform lives—particularly for children with rare diseases. “For the first time in history, many of these genetic conditions have real hope,” he says, adding that early screening and fast action can make all the difference.
He also sees platform technologies and adaptable delivery mechanisms as crucial to expanding access to these innovations, both scientifically and commercially.
Looking Ahead: Synthetic Biology and Sustainability
Beyond therapeutics, Ross is enthusiastic about the future of synthetic biology. “We’re approaching a time where we can manufacture materials and chemicals using engineered organisms rather than fossil fuels,” he says. “That has massive implications—not just for IP, but for the planet.”
Inside GJE: Collaboration, Clarity, and Client Focus
Ross describes Gill Jennings & Every as a firm where collaboration and adaptability are central to the culture. “It’s not a siloed environment—we build cross-disciplinary teams to match our clients’ evolving technologies,” he explains. That flexibility is especially valuable in a sector where biotech increasingly intersects with AI, diagnostics, and chemistry.
This approach has helped GJE earn double gold recognition in the IAM Patent 1000 rankings. Ross attributes that success to the firm’s emphasis on clarity, commercial awareness, and strong client relationships. “We focus on practical advice, not just legal precision. We aim to become a real extension of our clients’ teams.”
Beyond the Office
When he’s not helping clients navigate patent law, Ross enjoys life with his young family, reading a mix of sci-fi and science history, and keeping fit. He’s also an advocate of internal knowledge sharing at GJE, from legal updates to seminars on new biotech tools—ensuring both the law and the science stay front of mind.
P.S.PatWorld supports IP professionals like Ross by providing tailored reports that make navigating complex patent landscapes more efficient and informed. Whether it’s freedom-to-operate (FTO) searches, invalidity assessments, or in-depth landscape reports, PatWorld delivers actionable insights across a wide range of technologies. From global trend analysis to highly focused data sets, our support helps attorneys stay ahead of the curve.
The data visualisations referenced in this article were created by Geraint James, Senior IP Manager at PatWorld, using the Questel platform.
From diagnostics to cannabis-based therapeutics, Sophie Topham’s career in biotech patent law has been anything but predictable. A Senior Associate in the biotechnology team at Marks & Clerk, Sophie’s calm, analytical approach is matched by a refreshing curiosity—qualities that have made her an invaluable asset to clients and colleagues alike. We caught up with her to hear about her work, career path, and the rare case that led to one of her most widely read articles.
From Immunology to Innovation
Sophie’s current docket spans a broad range of biotechnology innovations. While she regularly works with immunology-based diagnostics and oncology-related inventions (including peptide vaccines and tools for identifying oncogenic mutations), her work is as diverse as the biotech field itself.
“Over the last few years, I’ve also worked in the cannabis field, particularly with extracts and synthetic cannabinoids for medical uses,” she explains. “And more recently, I’ve seen an increase in devices—some that resemble ELISAs on a chip, others that use antibodies in more novel ways.”
Despite the increasing overlap between biotech and AI, Sophie admits she still has a soft spot for what she calls “pure biology.” “As a biologist by training, those are the ones I find the most intuitive to work with.”
A Curious Case of Prior Art
In 2024, Sophie penned an article about an unusual and educational experience: having a client’s own clinical trial proposal cited as prior art against their European patent. It was the first time she’d encountered such a scenario—and it proved just as useful for the IP community as it did for her personally.
“Opponents in an EPO opposition cited the client’s trial proposal, which we hadn’t seen before due to a team change on the client’s side,” she recalls. “I had to dig into the case law to understand how such documents are interpreted, especially regarding whether the invention was truly disclosed.”
The case raised interesting questions around whether and how other documents—such as scientific publications—can be used to interpret clinical trial proposals, and how that squares with the EPO’s guidelines.
Understanding the Unusual
Sophie is quick to point out that having clinical trial proposals cited as prior art is still uncommon. “Patent applications in biotech typically don’t require clinical data to be granted. In vitro data is often sufficient for meeting plausibility requirements, so most companies file before trials begin,” she says.
Still, her experience highlighted how easy it is for assumptions to trip up even the most diligent teams. “We’ve seen clients express genuine surprise that their own publications can be cited against them—especially in Europe where there’s no grace period.”
The Route Not Taken
Like many in the IP profession, Sophie’s path wasn’t a straight line. “I originally wanted to be an airline pilot,” she laughs. “But when airlines stopped sponsoring training, the cost became unrealistic. Then I remembered a careers talk we had at university about being a patent attorney. I looked into it, and here I am.”
With a background in biological natural sciences from Cambridge, Sophie’s analytical mindset found a perfect home in IP law. She’s since seen applications through from drafting to grant, oppositions, and even appeals.
“Seeing something I’ve written be granted—and knowing I helped a startup gain recognition through their patent—those are the highlights,” she says.
Life Outside the Office
When she’s not deep in a patent claim, Sophie is rarely still. “I always try to move—walk, cycle, yoga, strength training. Even when working from home, I’ll build exercise into my day.” She’s part of a cycling club and makes time for a proper lunch break most days—usually with some kind of movement.
Evenings are more relaxed: cooking from scratch, reading anything from spy novels to translated Japanese fiction, and planning her next getaway. This summer, she’ll finally fulfil a childhood dream—horse riding along the beaches of Morocco with her twin sister.
If Only There Were More Hours…
When asked which fictional invention she’d most like to patent, Sophie doesn’t hesitate: “Hermione Granger’s Time-Turner. I’d love more hours in the day. If I knew how it worked, I’d make one!”
With her blend of sharp legal insight and grounded, genuine enthusiasm for the science behind the patents, Sophie brings a distinct human touch to biotech IP. Whether she’s tackling tricky prior art or galloping down a Moroccan beach, she’s doing it with purpose and passion.
Marks & Clerk is a leading international firm of intellectual property experts, providing comprehensive patent, trade mark, design, and litigation services. With a global presence and deep sector knowledge, Marks & Clerk supports innovative companies from startups to multinationals in protecting and leveraging their IP assets.
How PatWorld Supports Biotech Innovators
At PatWorld, we help biotech companies, attorneys, and researchers access fast, reliable, and intuitive global patent search tools. Our advanced search and analytics features enable professionals like Sophie to:
When it comes to securing exclusivity in the life sciences sector, few bring the depth of insight and strategic clarity that Francis Tierney offers. A qualified UK and European patent attorney since the 1990s, Francis blends decades of in-house experience with a boutique advisory approach that gives life sciences companies a genuine edge—particularly in pharmaceuticals and small molecule therapeutics. In this article PatWorld discusses with Francis Exclusivity in Pharma, and Navigating the Life Sciences Patent Landscape.
From In-House to Boutique: A Unique Perspective
Francis began his IP career in-house, spending nearly three decades advising on agrochemical and pharmaceutical innovations before moving into private practice. This “poacher turned gamekeeper” transition, as he jokingly puts it, equips him with an intuitive understanding of how clients operate and what they truly need from their IP counsel.
Now at Patent Boutique, he works closely with clients on prosecution, opposition, appeal work, due diligence, and strategic portfolio development. His tailored, hands-on approach is a hallmark of the firm.
The Five Pillars of Patent Strategy in Pharma
Francis sees five key IP considerations for life sciences companies today:
Confidentiality: With increased pressure to publish and attract investors, ensuring non-disclosure before filing is vital.
Timing of Filings: Filing too early can lead to protection ending earlier during peak sales; too late, and companies risk being scooped.
Collaboration with R&D: Patent attorneys need to work closely with research teams to react quickly to emerging data and shape strategy in real time.
Market Awareness: Limited budgets mean companies must prioritise filings in jurisdictions most critical to commercial success.
AI: Keeping abreast of developments in, and the increasing capabilities of, AI.
Getting Patent Drafting Right
Drafting for small molecules brings its own hazards. “If you draft too broadly, not only might your claims be rejected, but you risk creating your own most damaging prior art,” Francis warns. He emphasises the importance of including strong biological data—especially for markets like China—and ensuring that patents will remain enforceable 20+ years down the line, particularly when linked to SPCs.
US vs. Europe: Avoiding a Common Pitfall
One of the most frequent issues Francis sees is US-based companies underestimating global disclosure rules. “There’s a grace period in the US, but not in Europe. Smaller companies often publish during the priority year, which can be problematic for later filings,” he explains.
He also notes how different legal frameworks—such as the EPO’s problem-solution approach versus the US’s obviousness standard—can yield very different outcomes from the same prior art.
Early-Stage Advice: Flexible, Focused, and Fast
Emerging biotech companies often need more tailored support, especially when balancing speed, disclosure, and credibility for investors. Francis helps them navigate this by streamlining prosecution strategies and ensuring they have grantable, meaningful patents to support licensing or M&A activities.
“Established pharma companies have structured IP processes. Start-ups don’t—so we help them build systems and strategies that are credible and cost-effective,” he says.
Patent Portfolios as Deal Enablers
Whether supporting collaborations or preparing for acquisition, Francis views robust IP portfolios as central. “You need to show what you’ve got, but also what you might be developing. Priority filings before a deal are key to demonstrating value,” he advises.
AI in Drug Discovery: A New Frontier, with Caveats
Francis acknowledges AI as a potential game-changer in small molecule R&D, but with caution. “If AI knows everything, where’s the inventive step?” he asks. He sees a possible future where narrower, more focused patent claims become the norm due to more precise AI targeting—but also where validity could well be questioned if algorithms become standardised tools.
A Call for Change: Grace Period Reform
If he could change one thing in the UK or EU IP landscape, Francis would introduce a broader grace period. “It would protect researchers from the kind of accidental disclosures that can destroy patentability. A safety net—not to rely on, but to support honest mistakes.”
The Boutique Advantage
At Patent Boutique, Francis and his colleagues offer flexibility, cost transparency, and a collaborative approach. “We were cloud-based from the start, so our clients benefit from seamless document transfer, real-time communication, and scalable support,” he notes. Clients also gain access to a wider network of trusted attorneys—competency, not size or shine, is what counts.
Outside the Office: Gardening and Grandkids
Beyond the world of SPCs and claim drafting, Francis is a proud grandfather and a keen (and increasingly enthusiastic) gardener. “It’s such a contrast to patent law—where you wait years for a result. In the garden, you plant something and within weeks, there’s colour, texture, and reward,” he says. His latest pride? A set of stunning Alstroemeria —particularly a variety called Indian Summer.
Connect with Francis Tierney 🔗 Francis Tierney on LinkedIn 🔗 Patent Boutique – A specialist firm offering high-level, strategic patent services tailored to life sciences and beyond.
P.S. How PatWorld Supports Patent Attorneys Like Francis PatWorld supports IP professionals with expert-led Patent, Trademark, and Design Search services. Whether you’re advising clients on exclusivity strategies, preparing for prosecution or opposition, or managing complex portfolios, our tailored search solutions deliver the clarity and confidence you need to move forward.
For Julia D’Arcy, European Patent Attorney and Director at Harrison IP, intellectual property is more than just legal frameworks and technical jargon. It’s a dynamic field that keeps her at the cutting edge of scientific innovation. As a Chartered and European Patent Attorney, Julia has carved out a distinguished career in intellectual property. She specialising in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and medical sectors. Her expertise spans a diverse range of technologies, from biocompatible prostheses to advanced drug delivery systems, making her an invaluable asset to inventors and businesses alike.
A Journey into IP Law
Unlike the deep specialisation required in academia, Julia was drawn to intellectual property law for its breadth and variety. “In academia, you are asked to focus on a narrow specialism. Working in IP means that you are involved in cutting-edge developments while maintaining a broader specialism and enjoying a great variety of work,” she explains.
Her passion for the field has only grown, fuelled by the ever-evolving challenges of patent prosecution and strategy. Julia has extensive experience navigating the complexities of the UK and European patent offices, where she emphasises the importance of pre-emptive strategy. “Added matter and sufficiency are key aspects to consider before the EPO. To avoid problems during prosecution, it’s useful to provide an array of fall-back positions, highlight preferred combinations, and include as much experimental data as possible in the specification as filed,” she advises.
Understanding Innovation Across Sectors
One of Julia’s greatest strengths is her ability to work across a range of complex life sciences technologies. Whether dealing with medical devices or pharmaceutical compounds, she believes that the key to understanding diverse innovations lies in communication. “Inventors generally love talking about their inventions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and try to put what the inventors tell you into your own words during discussions to check your understanding,” she says.
Her problem-solving skills were put to the test when a UK patent she was responsible for was challenged through the Examiner opinion service at the UKIPO. The case highlighted the importance of cost-effective dispute resolution and reinforced her appreciation for tools available to challenge or defend patent validity.
Emerging Trends in Life Sciences IP
With a keen eye on the evolving landscape of IP law, Julia notes the increasing impact of the Unified Patent Court (UPC). “The UPC is proving popular, although the take-up is mixed depending on the technology space,” she observes. While medical technology companies have embraced its lower litigation costs and quicker decisions, pharmaceutical and biotech companies remain cautious. However, she predicts that as UPC case law develops, its adoption will likely increase across the board.
Julia also understands the significance of intellectual property in driving innovation and investment in the life sciences industry. “IP plays a key role in fostering innovation, attracting investment, and preventing unfair exploitation by third parties,” she states. “Filing a patent application allows the applicant to freely discuss their invention with third parties, including VCs and potential licensors, while also creating barriers for potential competitors.”
Tailoring IP Strategies for Every Client
Working with clients ranging from multinational corporations to start-ups and SMEs, Julia tailors her approach to suit each client’s level of IP knowledge and experience. “We try to ensure that the client knows what’s coming next, in terms of likely next actions, complexity, and length of typical prosecution, with clear estimates of likely costs,” she explains. Clarity and communication are at the heart of her practice, ensuring that even clients without a technical background can make informed decisions.
Beyond the Office
Outside of her professional life, Julia enjoys a balance of work and leisure. A devoted dog owner, she and her family began running with their dogs in the park during the pandemic—a hobby that has stuck ever since. “We aren’t fast, and there are lots of breaks for the dogs to sniff, but it gets us out for some exercise, come rain or shine,” she shares.
A pivotal moment in her career and personal life came when she moved from London to Glasgow in 2001 to start a new role in a patent and trade mark company. “I have stayed ever since,” she says, noting that the move led to both professional success and personal fulfilment—her three children are now proudly Scottish.
A Leader in Life Sciences IP
Julia D’Arcy’s expertise, strategic approach, and passion for intellectual property make her a leading voice in life sciences patent law. Whether guiding inventors through the complexities of patent applications or keeping an eye on the latest industry trends, her commitment to innovation and client success is clear.
For those looking to navigate the ever-changing world of IP in the life sciences sector, Julia’s insights and experience offer invaluable guidance.
Harrison IP – Supporting Innovation with Expert IP Advice
Julia is a valued member of Harrison IP. They are a UK-based intellectual property firm specialising in patents, trade marks, and design protection. With a strong focus on life sciences, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and emerging technologies, Harrison IP provides expert advice to help businesses safeguard their innovations. The firm’s client-focused approach ensures tailored IP strategies that align with commercial objectives, from start-ups to multinational corporations.
For more information about Harrison IP and its services, visit www.harrisonip.com.
Supporting IP Professionals with Expert Search Services
At PatWorld, we understand the challenges that IP professionals like Julia face when handling complex patent matters. Our advanced IP Search services provide the critical insights needed to support robust patent strategies, from prior art searches to competitor intelligence. By equipping professionals with accurate, comprehensive data, we help ensure that innovations are protected and that IP strategies are built on a foundation of strong, reliable information. Whether you’re an experienced patent attorney or an innovator looking for protection, our services are designed to support your success in the ever-evolving IP landscape.
For more insights from IP thought leaders, explore our latest interviews on the PatWorld blog.
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