Intellectual Property

c areer snapshots Intellectual property Patents represent a key incentive for making the considerable investments needed to translate basic biomedical research into products with therapeutic applications. This month, we feature two patent attorneys with extensive experience in intellectual property related to the biopharma industry.

patent agent directly after obtaining a degree in arguing against a controversial patent for Jacques Warcoin chemistry from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure diagnostics related to the BRCA1 gene and the European Patent de Chimie de Toulouse in 1971. “Like everyone risk of breast cancer, which was subsequently Attorney and CEO, at that time in intellectual property, I started by withdrawn by the EPO in 2004. Cabinet Regimbeau, drafting mechanical cases, which is essential to Although Warcoin is now CEO of Cabinet Paris, France. understand the patent process,” recalls Warcoin. Regimbeau, which has grown to employ 180 “However, with the support of my manager, people, he still continues to learn about new I rapidly decided to find chemical cases, and then research directions in biotechnology. “In a hybrid Thirty years ago, most patents that were related broadened further into microbiology. I found area such as this, you need to have a strong to drug research and development described it exciting and worked very hard, with the help technical background, but always be prepared classes of chemical compounds or synthetic of inventors, to learn more about prokaryotes to learn more, and to have good contact with processes. Then, as the biotech revolution and eukaryotes.” In this way, he became one of clients and inventors,” says Warcoin. “What is began, many new challenges and questions France’s leading attorneys in the field, and as challenging in this job is that you need to remain emerged about the intellectual property applications related to biotechnology emerged, on top of the science until your retirement, even associated with research discoveries in this this became a major area of his work, and has if you have some involvement in management, field, such as the patentability of genes and been ever since. as it is not possible to have discussions with proteins linked to diseases. Jacques Warcoin, During the past 30 years, Warcoin has inventors if you are not aware of the latest a European Patent Attorney, has been closely filed many patents related to biotechnology developments in the field.” involved in the sector since its inception. and advised on licensing and development For those considering patent law as a career, “In 1978, I filed the first application in France strategies in the field, as well as defending Warcoin would not hesistate to recommend in biotechnology — the first transformation of the intellectual property rights of biotech trying it, although he cautions that it needs a yeast — and from this time I have learned about companies, multinational firms and public strong ability to handle stress and pass many biotechnology with the people who discovered research bodies in cases before the European challenging examinations. “To enjoy it, you it,” says Warcoin. Patent Office (EPO). Achieving success in such must aim to be the best in a specific field of Warcoin joined Cabinet Regimbeau, a firm cases is something he has found particularly intellectual property, and be prepared to be of patent attorneys based in Paris, as a junior rewarding — for example, in the case he led creative, especially in biotechnology,” he says.

She began by drafting and prosecuting with people who are creative and excited Leslie Meyer-Leon biotechnology-related patent applications for about making commercial products from Founder, IP Legal the law firm, earning her license as a registered their inventions. They are forward-looking, Strategies Group PC, patent agent while also attending law school. enthusiastic and excited about having you as Centerville, Massachusetts, After completing law school, Meyer-Leon part of their team.” This also helps avoid any USA, and President, Boston moved to a large general practice law firm and feelings of isolation from not being part of a Patent Law Association worked on a series of litigation and corporate large firm, a possibility she also counteracts projects that contributed to the breadth by being very active in the Boston Patent Law Patent attorneys who work as outside counsel of intellectual property skills she now uses. Association — currently as its President. require a breadth of knowledge and skills to During this time she realized that her main Although Meyer-Leon enjoys burying her solve a diverse range of problems. This appealed interest was in helping companies use portfolio analytical mind in a problem and allowing to Leslie Meyer-Leon who, after working for strategies to overcome business obstacles. herself to get really absorbed into it, this large law firms for a number of years, founded IP “I really liked the combination of business and is often saved for evenings and weekends Legal Strategies Group PC in 2000. “In a smaller intellectual property, and I wanted a much owing to the pace of the job — responding to setting I have the freedom to be much more more seamless mix between the two… [Now] numerous clients having diverse needs, and client-centred than in a large law firm,” she says. I use a broad range of patent, trademark and keeping abreast of a continually changing After earning a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular transactional skills to do strategic portfolio field of law, changes in the rules of the world’s biology from the University of Wisconsin- analysis, and to help companies understand patent offices, rapidly evolving science and Madison, USA, Meyer-Leon joined a large and overcome the problems they face with a shifting business climate. “Sometimes it intellectual property law firm as a technology competitors.” This includes counselling gets pressured but intellectually it never gets specialist. “I always had a strong preference for clients on their freedom to operate around boring… you are constantly on a learning interdisciplinary studies and felt that patent competitors’ patent rights and on business curve, no matter how long you have been in law brings together the best parts of science, approaches to take when competitors this profession,” she concludes. business, law and people: significant scientific misappropriate or infringe on their patents. developments, interesting business problems, Becoming an integral part of the business the challenge of building on legal precedent and development team of a small company, web site Career snapshots: http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/ people who are creative and enthusiastic about combined with interesting science, is the best magazine/career_snaps.html what you are doing for them,” she explains. of both worlds for Meyer-Leon: “You work