David Hobson

David is a Partner in our life sciences and chemistry team and has an extensive background in biochemistry. He acts for UK and overseas biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and food/beverage clients, as well as SMEs in all patent matters. David has extensive patent drafting and multi-jurisdictional prosecution experience. He is also experienced at providing therapeutic freedom to operate and validity advice, as well as handling opposition proceedings before the EPO. Building on his in-depth knowledge of biochemistry, much of the patent work he performs relates to enzyme biotechnology, including its application in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as antibody and cell-based therapeutics. “Biochemistry expert” David Hobson has been recommended in the 2022 edition of The Legal 500, in which one source describes him as “top rate”, as well as recognised as a ‘Notable Practitioner’ in the latest edition of Managing IP’s IP STARS directory.

Expertise

David has extensive patent drafting and multi-jurisdictional prosecution experience. He is also experienced at providing therapeutic freedom to operate and validity advice, as well as handling opposition proceedings before the EPO. Some key hearings include: “Recombinant EPO” (Sterrenbeld Biotechnologie; Polymun Scientific Immunbiologische) and “Modified Clostridial Neurotoxins” (Ipsen Bioinnovation; Merz Pharma).

Building on his in-depth knowledge of biochemistry, much of the patent work he performs relates to enzyme biotechnology, including its application in the food and pharmaceutical industries, as well as antibody therapeutics and plant biotechnology.

Academic

David has a PhD in biochemistry from the Cancer Research UK London Research Institute (awarded by UCL). His PhD was in the field of transcription and enzyme mechanisms, specifically. Click here for more information.

Memberships & organisations

David is a European Patent Attorney, Chartered UK Patent Attorney, member of the European Patent Institute (EPI) and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA).

Recent work

David has co-authored a number of publications and a link to these publications is below.

The Nagoya Protocol – A Practical Overview, Thomas Bjørn & David Hobson, Copenhagen Life Science (September/October 2015)

When is it Health Data and When is it Not?, Thomas Bjørn & David Hobson, Copenhagen Life Science (July/August 2015)

Awards