PARTNER
Maura is a European Patent Attorney and holds a PhD in Biochemistry and an honours degree in Biochemistry and Chemistry. She has been in practice for over 30 years and became a Life Sciences Partner in 1998.
Maura handles the chemical, chemical engineering, medical device, biotech and pharmaceutical work both at home and abroad for several of the larger local universities and their start-ups and larger companies. Most of Maura’s work relates to plant-related IP protection, food and veterinary medicine, small molecules and diagnostics protection. She also handles European work in the same space for international universities and companies.
Maura has particular experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the following technical fields:
gene therapy; antibodies (both diagnostic and therapeutic); medical devices (including spinal devices and surgical instruments); intravaginal delivery; transdermal delivery, including patches; ocular delivery; diagnostic assays, including lateral flow devices; peptide analogues; new uses for known drugs; Green chemistry; small molecules, including organic compounds (aldehydes, ketones, acids including amino acids), methods of their manufacture, crystal forms, polymorphs; optimising reaction rates and minimising side-reactions; optimising yields; catalysts, including biocatalysts; reactions under supercritical conditions; reactions using ionic liquids; transition metals; eutectics; surfactants; nanoparticles; colloids; DLS (dynamic light scattering).
Maura is experienced at oral proceedings, before the EPO Examination, Opposition Divisions and Boards of Appeal, acting for either the Patentee or a third party.
Maura regularly gives presentations and seminars on IP to local universities and companies and has presented internationally on EPO patent law and practice, for example, at AUTM.