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Patent Attorney

What is important in addition to academic qualifications is a good work ethic, enthusiasm, and confident communications skills.

Sally, Senior Patent Counsel

​So, what do you do?

I am responsible for securing legal rights, i.e. patents, for ideas generated within the company.  My role also involves advising and educating colleagues on issues relating to intellectual property, such as trade marks.  Most of my work is with research and development (R&D) colleagues but I also work with the commercial, clinical and regulatory teams to understand the value to the business of our patents and with people outside the company with whom we collaborate on research projects.

What qualifications and experience do you have?

I have a BSc in Biochemistry from NUI Galway, MMedSc from Queen’s Belfast, and a PhD from University of Leeds and I am qualified as a European Patent Attorney.

What does your typical day involve?

A lot of my time is spent working on identifying patentable subject matter in invention disclosures, technical reports or manuscripts, preparing patent documents and responding to communications from patent offices.  These tasks require discussion with the inventors to understand the science and with commercial colleagues to understand the relevance to the business strategy. I also do plenty of communication with colleagues in other departments via telephone, e-mail and in meetings (face-to-face and over the telephone).

How has your career developed since you entered the industry?

I began as an R&D scientist, then acted as a liason between the R&D department and the intellectual property (IP) department. Eventually I decided to remain within the IP department where I progressed to my current role.

Why did you decide on a career in the pharmaceutical industry?

My main scientific interest is human molecular and cell biology as I have always been fascinated in how the human body functions. The pharmaceutical industry provides a dynamic environment in which to progress in this field.

I decided to apply for jobs in the pharmaceutical industry as the next step after completing my PhD. It seemed like a natural progression with the possibility for lots of interesting opportunities.

Do you work mostly on your own or as part of team?

It’s really a mixture of both. I produce work on my own but it’s with the guidance and input of a team, and I work with many different teams.

What is it like socially where you work?

We have a friendly work environment and get together for enjoyable social gatherings outside work from time to time.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Passing my European Patent Attorney exams.

Do you think that additional qualifications or experience would be an advantage for someone entering the industry?

A bachelor’s degree in a STEM subject is required to train as a patent attorney. Other qualifications are not necessary but it can be useful to have worked a bit “at the bench” to better understand the science. What is important in addition to academic qualifications is a good work ethic, enthusiasm, and confident communications skills.

What possibilities are there for your career in the future?

As a qualified patent attorney, there is much scope to develop in the same role as the work is diverse and never boring. There are also currently opportunities available to work in private practice and in other companies.

What do you think are the most important skills for someone in your role to have?

An ability to organise and prioritise workload, to assimilate lots of detailed information, to write in a clear and succinct style, to be able to work as part of a team and to communicate effectively in speech and writing. And lots of enthusiasm!

What one piece of advice would you give to someone seeking a career in the pharmaceutical industry?

Get a good understanding of what the career will involve. For example expertise required, work hours, location/travel, work:life balance and make sure it sounds like something you’d like to do.

Case studies

  • Analytical Chemist
  • Analytical Chemist (Discovery)
  • Animal Technologist
  • Apprentice - Higher Laboratory Scientist
  • Biologist (biomarkers)
  • Biologist (DPMK)
  • Biologist (imaging)
  • BioPharmaceutical Scientist
  • Biostatistics Manager
  • Business Engagement Director
  • Chemical Biologist
  • Chemical Engineer
  • Chemist (manufacturing)
  • Chemist (process)
  • Chemistry (discovery)
  • Chemistry Outsourcing Manager and Synthetic Chemist
  • Clinical Data Manager
  • Clinical Quality Assurance Advisor
  • Clinical Research Analyst
  • Clinical Research Associate
  • Clinical Research Manager
  • Clinical Research Project Manager
  • Clinical Safety Scientist
  • Clinical Safety Scientist 2
  • Clinical Scientist
  • Clinical trials supplies
  • Commercial Account Manager
  • Commercial Director
  • Compliance Director
  • Contract Manager
  • Data Sciences Manager
  • Director Medical Affairs
  • Drug Safety Associate – Video
  • Drug Safety Officer
  • Epidemiologist
  • Executive Sales Representative
  • Geneticist
  • Graduate Trainee Biologist
  • Graduate Trainee Chemist
  • Graduate Trainee In Vivo Scientist
  • Head of Drug Safety and Local Safety Officer
  • Head of Health Economics
  • Head of Market Access
  • Healthcare Manager
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Industrial Placement (Medicinal Chemist)
  • Industrial Placement (Medicinal Chemistry)
  • Industrial Placement (Regulatory Policy)
  • Industrial Placement Biologist
  • Industrial Placement Chemist
  • Industrial Placement Pharmacologist
  • Industrial Placement Pharmacologist - Respiratory
  • Industrial placement student – biologist
  • Industry Accountant
  • IT Project Manager
  • Laboratory Technician (biology)
  • Laboratory Technician (chemistry)
  • Lean Coach
  • Learning and Development Business Practice Lead
  • Legal Coordinator
  • Manufacturing Operative
  • Market Access Director
  • Mathematical Modeller
  • Medical department intern
  • Medical Director and Managing Director UK & Ireland
  • Medical Director UK and Ireland
  • Medical Director UK and Republic of Ireland
  • Medical Information Scientist
  • Medical Physicist
  • Medical Writer
  • Medical writer (freelance)
  • Medicinal Chemist
  • Medicinal Chemist – Video
  • Medicinal Chemistry Director
  • Occupational Health Manager
  • Patent Attorney
  • Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist
  • Pharmaceutical Technologist
  • Pharmacist (formulation)
  • Pharmacist (pre-registration)
  • Pharmacokineticist (DMPK) – Video
  • Pharmacologist
  • Pharmacovigilance Scientist
  • Policy and Public Affairs Manager
  • Product Manager
  • Production Coordinator
  • Project Manager / Director
  • Public Relations Executive
  • Public Relations Officer
  • Quality and Compliance Vice President
  • Regulatory Affairs and Qualified Person
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  • Regulatory Affairs Executive
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  • Research Scientist – Video
  • Sales Representative
  • Scientific Affairs Manager (Nutrition)
  • Senior statistician
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  • Statistician
  • Summer placement student
  • Synthetic Medicinal Chemist – Video
  • Toxicologist
  • Toxicologist (Contract Research)
  • Toxicology Study Director
  • Training Director
  • Training Instructor
  • UK and Ireland Medical Director
  • Veterinary Surgeon

ABPI

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales 
(registered number 09826787) and its registered office is at 7th Floor Southside,105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT.
Telephone +44 (0) 207 9303477

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Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA)

The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) was established by The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry to operate the ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry independently of the ABPI. The PMCPA is a division of ABPI which is a company registered in England and Wales (registered number 09826787) with its registered office at 7th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QT.

Office of Health Economics (OHE)

The Office of Health Economics (OHE) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (registered number 09848965) and its registered office is at 7th Floor Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT. OHE provides independent research, advisory and consultancy services on policy implications and economic issues within the pharmaceutical, health care and biotechnology sectors.