Webinar: Focus on Patents: The Business Case

Overview

This in-depth webinar is tailored specifically for chemical engineers looking to harness the power of patents to drive innovation and business growth. Patents are vital tools in protecting novel technologies, enhancing competitiveness, and securing funding, and understanding how to strategically manage your patent portfolio is essential for success.

We’ll begin by exploring filing strategies—helping you decide where and when to file your patents in regions like Europe, the US, and internationally. Learn how to manage patent filing costs and budget effectively for protecting chemical engineering innovations, from process technologies to material designs.
The session will dive into licensing (both outgoing and incoming) and discuss the nuances of collaborations, particularly when working with research partners or industry players. We’ll address key questions like: Who owns the IP? and Who can commercialise the technology?

We’ll also cover the concept of improvement patents, particularly relevant for chemical engineers looking to enhance existing technologies, and the complexities of IP ownership in these situations. Additionally, we’ll explore grant applications (e.g., Innovate UK, EU funding) and how to leverage patent portfolios for funding opportunities, as well as the Patent Box tax incentive for R&D-driven businesses.

Further, you’ll gain insights into the patent process, from filing to timelines, patent term (including SPCs), and the global landscape of priority dates, PCT, EP, and US filings. We’ll touch on critical issues such as patentability, exclusions from patent protection, and basic Freedom to Operate principles.

This webinar will provide the tools and strategies needed to navigate the patent system effectively and enhance your IP portfolio in the chemical engineering sector.

Speaker

Catherine Jewell, Partner, Beck Greener LLP

Catherine is a Chemist by training, having completed a degree, PhD and post-doc in that discipline before joining the Intellectual Property profession. Catherine’s focus on the application of patent and trade mark law within the chemical, pharmaceutical, and materials sectors has been the cornerstone of her professional journey. Her expertise in patent drafting, prosecution, and strategic IP advice supports clients in navigating complex legal landscapes. With a robust skill set honed over nearly twenty years in the profession, Catherine has been instrumental in growing her clients' intellectual property portfolios and helping to maximize their worth.

Catherine’s commitment extends beyond client work to shaping the next generation of STEM professionals and broadening access to IP careers. Leading Beck Greener’s Corporate Social Responsibility outreach initiatives, she has been the driving force behind impactful projects that inspire students to explore science and law. Coupled with her contributions as a Visiting Lecturer at UCL, Catherine strives to ensure that future entrepreneurs are well-versed in the intricacies of intellectual property within the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

In her free time, Catherine enjoys reading and a nice bit of light murder mystery, as well as biking, running and destructive gardening (not quite the same as rugby, but the closest thing now available).

James Stones, Partner, Beck Greener LLP

James read Chemistry at Imperial College London, graduating in 1992. He stayed on at Imperial to conduct research into tethered Diels-Alder reactions for his doctorate, awarded in 1996. After discovering that he was all thumbs in the lab, James left the bench to join the patent profession and qualified as a European Patent Attorney in 2004 and as a Chartered Patent Attorney the following year. In 2010, he became a partner at Beck Greener LLP and now heads up the Chemistry team.

James has a broad client base across the chemistry, pharmaceutical and chemical engineering sectors. He has worked as external counsel for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. for over 25 years on many different projects involving, e.g., cryogenic air distillation, gas purification, carbon capture, and more recently hydrogen production.

James not only drafts and prosecutes patent applications, but also defends his clients’ patents from attack during post-grant proceedings and preserves his clients’ freedom to operate by challenging patents of their competitors.

James is a visiting lecturer in IP at UCL School of Pharmacy and has also delivered IP lectures to post-graduate students in biosciences at University of Exeter and in chemical engineering at Imperial College.

The material presented in this webinar has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenter's own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.

This event is one of an entire series of webinars by Beck Greener, find out more.

Time

12:30–13:00 BST.

Software

The presentation will be delivered via Microsoft Teams. We recommend downloading the app from the Microsoft website, rather than using the web portal.