Andrew Wells

Key Details

Andrew’s patent practice is principally in the pharmaceutical and chemical fields. He has extensive experience in securing patent protection for pharmaceuticals and specialises in drafting and prosecuting patent applications covering new chemical entities, salts, polymorphs, formulations manufacturing processes, medical uses, and medical devices. Outside of the pharmaceutical field, Andrew’s practice encompasses agrochemicals, polymer chemistry, petroleum additives, catalytic compositions, separation chemistry, adhesive technologies and biosensors. Andrew leads the Chemistry team at HGF.

Andrew acts for a diverse range of clients, including international corporations, universities, start-up companies and associate patent attorney firms based outside of the UK.

He commenced his patent career in private practice before joining the in-house patent department of a major multi-national pharmaceutical company in June 2004. As an in-house attorney, Andrew was responsible for the patent portfolios relating to a number of high priority drug development projects, as well as conducting IP due diligence evaluations to support in-licensing activities

Andrew draws on both his private practice and in-house experience to provide commercially-focused advice to his clients in relation to all patent matters, including patent portfolio management, enforcing patent rights, challenging third party patent rights, providing infringement and validity opinions, and conducting due diligence evaluations to support licensing and acquisition deals.





Leader Profiles

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Partner and Patent Attorney   Bernhard's main focus lies in the drafting and handling of patents in the areas of electric engineering, software inventions as well as devices for biotechnology and optics. Furthermore he possesses great experience in opposition cases and IP litigation cases as well as trade mark protection. Bernhard studied Applied Physics at the Technical University of Munich. He has been in the IP business since 1990. He was accredited as a German Patent Attorney in 1994 and in the same year also qualified as a European Patent Attorney. He has made his name as a specialist legal author with, amongst others, with the article “Patent situation in the field of DNA chip technology in Europe” (which appeared in no. 12/2000 of medgen, the journal of the German Association for Human Genetics) and the articles “Is the core theory once again topical?” (which appeared in the Transactions of German Patent Attorneys in December 2003) and "G 1/19: Did this decision surprise us?" (which appeared in the Transactions of German Patent Attorneys in December 2019), both dealing with German case law in respect of software inventions. The first article was cited by the Enlarged Board of Appeal in the fundamental decision (G 03/08) relating to computer implemented inventions. He regularly gives lectures on different topics in IP law. Bernhard is a member of the Licensing Executive Society (LES), GRUR and the European Patent Experts Exchange (EuPEX).   HGF
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Partner   Jennifer has a wealth of experience as a patent attorney, spending time as a coordinator of global IP portfolios, strategic advisor, EPO opposition specialist, and drafter and prosecutor of patent applications in the engineering and physics fields. She is particularly strong in the fields of mechanical devices and subsea technology (e.g. pipelines, cable protection, vehicles, vessels), medical devices (e.g. wound dressings, vacuum therapy apparatus, retinal treatment devices, waste disposal) and apparatus incorporating aspects of physics or electrochemistry. She is also expanding her knowledge into the wind energy sector and renewables in general. Jennifer appears frequently before the EPO in Munich and The Hague to attend opposition and appeal hearings. She enjoys a debate and the continued professional development achieved from the fine scrutiny and detail of opposition proceedings. Jennifer is also a member of the firm's Asia business development team as Japan coordinator, working to review and increase business with Japan and foster relationships with Japanese firms. Having started her IP career at a Japanese patent firm, she gained invaluable insight into the way different businesses and clients operate, and an appreciation of cultural diversity.   HGF
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Partner and Patent Attorney   Marie is a Registered Irish Patent Attorney, European Patent Attorney and Chartered (UK) Patent Attorney with over 25 years of experience in advising clients including start-ups and SME’s to large corporations. Marie has worked across a number of technology areas and specialises in industrial chemistry, materials science, polymer chemistry, and pharmaceutical chemistry. Marie also has in-depth experience in obtaining Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs). Marie has strong focus on providing commercially relevant, pragmatic advice based on individual clients’ goals and works to listen and actively engage in understanding those goals so as to tailor advice and action consistent with those goals. Marie has an MBA from the Open University which supports her commercially focused approach to advising on IP strategy. Marie has worked with clients across the globe, including local firms in Ireland, as well as US and Chinese clients and her objective is on clear communication with the clients’ commercial aims as the central focus. Marie has previously worked with another leading firm of patent attorneys in Ireland where she had the role of Director of Operations for China and Chief Representative of the local China office. Marie also has extensive experience of providing opinions and advising in relation to freedom to operate (FTO). In addition, she has represented clients at Oppositions and Appeals at the EPO and achieved successful outcomes for clients. Marie has a strong ethos of being responsive and her values are aligned with striving for excellence at the core of HGF’s values.   HGF