Mathys & Squire LLP

Intellectual property

Martin MacLean’s principal practice areas include; drafting and global prosecution, defence and opposition, freedom-to-operate and strategic advice. In this regard, he has extensive experience in the conduct of hearings before the European Patent Office, having conducted over 100 hearings. Martin specialises in technologies such as the re-targeting of bacterial toxins, vaccines, expression systems, microbial detection assays, cytokine-based therapeutics, and agrochemicals, and represents clients ranging from UK Government and blue chip biotech companies through to spin-outs and start-ups.

Martin has conducted well in excess of 100 European Patent Office hearings, with a success rate of approximately 90%. He has a strong biotech background (PhD in microbial engineering from Warwick University), and specialises in technologies such as the protein therapeutics, antibodies, vaccines, expression systems, diagnostic assays, and ‘green’ agrochemicals.

He has extensive high value A&M (£100 m+) due diligence experience, which he is able to combine with the above core aspects of IP management, to provide valuable advice that is both informed and balanced.

Martin’s principal practice areas include; drafting and global prosecution, defence and opposition, freedom to operate and strategic advice.

Martin is a co-author of ‘Intellectual Property Issues for Bacteriophages‘, a Springer publication (2020), pp. 1-19 Bacteriophages. This article was written in combination with Dr David Harper (CEO & Founder of Evolution Biotechnologies Limited), a leading world expert in phage technology, and addresses the key challenges (and myths) associated with securing patent rights in this tech space.

Martin is a member of the Life Sciences Committee for the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA).

Martin has a strong background in biochemistry and biotechnology, having obtained a first class degree (Warwick University) in microbial technology and a PhD (Warwick University) for research conducted into the biochemical aspects of acidophilic bacteria. He also has a master’s degree in IP from the University of London.

He acts as a tutor for the UK and European qualifying examinations. He also serves as a lecturer and clinician for the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys.