Senior Associate
Francis’s expertise lies in patent matters, providing top-tier counsel on exclusivity in the life sciences sector, particularly in pharmaceuticals and small molecules.
Before joining the Firm, Francis spent over 25 years in-house providing strategic, business-oriented, patent counsel to life science companies, guiding them through every stage of the patent life cycle. He drafts and prosecutes patents globally (US, Europe, Japan, China), constructs robust portfolios, and formulates both offensive and defensive patent strategies. He identifies strengths, minimizes threats, and maximizes revenue. Since joining the Firm, Francis has been extensively engaged in oppositions and appeals before the EPO.
Francis’s strategic counsel encompasses patentability, validity, and freedom to operate reviews. He offers pre-litigation assessments, conducts IP due diligence for strategic transactions, and advises on IP-related contracts.
