Richard is a member of our life sciences patent team and has particular experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. He has a diverse patent practise, working closely with clients in the UK, Europe and Singapore to prepare patent applications and prosecute them to grant on a global basis. He also works with many US clients to obtain European patents before the EPO and defend them in EPO opposition/appeal proceedings.
Since 2003, Richard has been heavily involved in obtaining European patents for aptamer (SELEX) technology and succeeded in obtaining grant of the very first aptamer patents in Europe.
Richard also has considerable involvement with start-up and spin out companies, including transition of patent portfolios from technology transfer into nascent companies. In addition to patent prosecution, this often involves generating and implementing an ongoing freedom to operate strategy for the company and conducting IP due diligence for the purpose of helping the company raise investment. Richard has provided in-house support to some SME clients, spending time in the R&D department to spot inventions and generate new patent applications.
Richard has been individually recognised in the 2017 edition of The Legal 500 as ‘thorough, well-prepared and responsive’ and has been highly recommended in the Managing Intellectual Property: IP Stars guide for 2017.
Richard has also been recognised by Managing Intellectual Property in their IP Stars 2014 guide for UK patent prosecution. MIP Research commented “Richard Clegg is another person clients find impressive. One client says “I would say he ticks a lot of boxes”. He is available when you need him, he is able, he knows his stuff and he knows his detail. He is capable of digging in hard.”” Richard is also acknowledged as being ‘technically strong and well-prepared‘ – The Legal 500 (2013).
Richard is a regular visitor to the USA, China and Singapore. Richard has been visiting China since 2006 and has developed a strong network of IP contacts in China who can provide valuable assistance to clients interested in obtaining or enforcing IP rights in China.
Richard has an MA in biochemistry from the University of Cambridge. He is a Chartered Biologist.
Richard joined Mewburn Ellis LLP in 2003 after working in another private practice firm from 1999. He qualified as a Chartered Patent Attorney and European Patent Attorney in 2003 and joined the partnership in 2006. Richard was awarded a Higher Courts Litigation Certificate in 2015 allowing him to conduct intellectual property litigation in all relevant courts, including the Patents Court (High Court), the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court and on appeal from the Patents Court or the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court.