Biography

Dr Mark Hillier has been an European and Chartered patent attorney for over 13 years. He specialises in new chemical entities, secondary medical use inventions and novel pharmaceutical formulations. He has expertise on drafting and prosecution of European and overseas patent applications, as well as advising on IP strategy and providing IP awareness sessions.

Mark’s interest in patents started whilst working on a patent application arising out of work which formed part of his PhD.
Mark studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University then went on to complete a PhD in Organic Chemistry at St Andrew’s University. Prior to joining the patent profession, he worked in the London office of an international law firm as a Scientific Advisor. This involved supporting their product liability and intellectual property practices.

Mark is also experienced in conducting due diligence, preparing freedom-to-operate opinions, negotiating IP clauses in collaboration agreements, supply contracts, material transfer agreements, acquisitions and divestments. He also has experience of applying for French foreign filing security clearance. Mark was involved with a multi-party opposition at the EPO against a bioprocessing patent. He achieved successful freedom to use for a commercial biopharmaceutical purification process. This included providing support for expert witnesses in support of UK litigation to obtain an “Arrow” declaration.