Carpmaels & Ransford LLP

At the core of Matthew’s practice is his experience representing clients before the European Patent Office in examination, opposition and appeal proceedings on complex commercial products. He has handled large multiparty opposition proceedings (in attack and defence) relating to a variety of pharmaceutical products and has taken cases all the way to the EPO’s Enlarged Board of Appeal. Alongside this, Matthew has extensive experience advising on PTE/SPC and regulatory exclusivities relating to medicinal products and often works alongside the firm’s litigation group supporting with disputes on which there are parallel National Court proceedings pending. Matthew is also a registered UPC Representative and is working with clients on UPC litigation strategies as they embrace this new pan-European Court.

Alongside this, Matthew has experience advising on SPC strategies and regulatory exclusivity relating to medicinal products in Europe.  He also has experience in providing litigation support in circumstances where parallel EPO and national court proceedings are pending.

Matthew has successfully managed cases relating to a range of different pharmaceutical subject-matter including NCE’s, combination therapies, second generation products, formulation technologies, dosage regimens, polymorphs, vaccine adjuvant systems and API manufacturing processes. He has also worked extensively in the industrial chemical sector, handling technologies ranging from the synthesis of chemical intermediates such as acetic acid, vinyl acetate, adiponitrile, caprolactam and their downstream uses, to those relating to the polymer and petrochemicals industries. Additionally, Matthew has represented clients in the speciality chemical sector, advising on inventions relating to ionic liquids, surface coatings and artificial sweeteners, amongst others. Matthew has also gained valuable commercial experience whilst on secondment to a pharmaceutical company during his training.

Matthew is the Vice Chair of the IPO’s European Practice Committee. He is actively involved in committee work and regularly speaks at IPO events.

Prior to entering the profession, Matthew studied Chemistry at the University of Oxford (Magdalen College), gaining a scholarship and graduating with first class honours. Matthew’s studies included a year’s research into the total synthesis of cytotoxic amino alcohol natural products which led to numerous academic publications and the award of a university prize for his thesis.