Alive with possibilities - the future of sustainable plastics and beyond
As the production and consumption of plastics continues to surge, so too has the accumulation of plastic waste.
Gigafactories & IP: Protecting the processes that power the future
As the use of electric vehicles (EVs) becomes increasingly prevalent, demand for batteries is set to rise at an exponential rate. To meet this demand, we are seeing the development of more and more gigafactories across the world. Sophie Chua explains the process of patent protection in the ‘gigafactory’ industry and it’s potential to continue to grow rapidly.
Plastic packaging pollution: Kelp is on the way!
Plastics have become so widely utilised in our everyday life. However, using this amount of plastic comes with a significant cost - a lot of plastic packaging material we use eventually ends up in the world’s oceans. Start-ups such as Kelpi and PlantSea – have found Seaweed-based packaging materials could provide a solution to our plastic packaging pollution problem.
Is the future in the wind? Pyxis Ocean sets sail!
Recently, we have seen the bulk carrier Pyxis Ocean set sail (literally!) for the first time with its new retro-fitted “WindWing” sails.
Planet-saving partnerships: collaborating on sustainable innovation
In the race to bring forward sustainable solutions, worlds are colliding and ideas are flowing. As global leaders gather in Glasgow to discuss climate change, Alex Eliseev speaks to three network builders who are making productive partnerships possible.
Clean, green, renewable machine - the future of centralised and distributed energy storage
In addition to new ways in which energy is being produced, there is a push for new ways in which to store this energy, which may present opportunities in the renewable energy space.
Cellular Agriculture – forecasting innovation
This article focuses on anticipated innovation in relation to cell culture for the production of cultured meat products.
'Test, test, test'– the importance of diagnostics in pandemic preparedness
While the world waits for a vaccine to be developed and approved for use against the COVID-19 virus, the best measure to identify, slow and prevent the spread of the virus is to test.
Graphene masks: facing up to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Manufacturers are taking advantage of graphene’s antimicrobial, antistatic and electrically conductive properties to develop face masks.
Vaccine platform technologies to combat emerging infectious diseases
Encouraging progress is being made towards vaccine development against Covid-19. It is essential that we continue to incentivise and fund research into and development of these technologies.
Lithium-sulfur batteries - an attractive alternative
There are still hurdles to the complete commercial availability of viable Li-S batteries, but at the current pace of research a sulfur-powered world could be a real possibility before the decade is out.
Brexit 2020: What does this mean for your IP?
The EU Withdrawal Agreement was ratified by both the UK and the EU Parliaments and therefore at 11 pm UK time on 31 January 2020, the UK left the EU. The Agreement provides for a transition period until 31 December 2020 during which there will be no change to the law or practice of the law.
Patent protection: five tips for biotech start-ups
Early-stage biotech companies are often founded based on the exciting results of pre-clinical research relating to a new product or treatment. However, due to the need for refinement/development and the extensive work required to demonstrate safety and efficacy in order to obtain regulatory approval, early-stage biotech companies are often a long way away from bringing a new drug or therapy to…
Future mobility: the new direction of transport
Massive social, economic and technology trends are converging to change mobility - how we move things from point A to point B, whether that is people, goods or containers. All of these drivers of change are self-reinforcing.
Significant blow to Cadbury in purple trade mark battle
Cadbury has been dealt a blow by the Court of Appeal in its battle to maintain its trade mark for the colour purple which it uses across all of its chocolate bars. On 5 December 2018 the Court of Appeal confirmed the previous decisions of the UK Intellectual Property Office and the High Court, and refused to accept that Cadbury’s registration is for a series of two different marks.
Precision Medicine: the next revolution in healthcare
In recent years, we have witnessed a remarkable healthcare revolution. Thanks to advances in genetic analysis, molecular biology and cell science, we now know more about the human condition than ever before. This wealth of information opens the door for the next revolution in medicine – treatments that are truly bespoke for each patient.
Brexit: what does the draft withdrawal agreement mean for IP?
A further step towards a withdrawal agreement between the UK and EU27 occurred on 14 November 2018 with the publication of the fully negotiated version of the draft withdrawal agreement by the European Commission.
Supreme Court decision signals bad news for patent holders
The UK Supreme Court issued its decision today on the Warner Lambert vs Generics (UK) Ltd t/a Mylan. The decision concerns Swiss-form patent claims that relate to a specified medical use of a known pharmaceutical compound, in this case the use of pregabalin to treat pain. Nick Sutcliffe of Mewburn Ellis comments.
Mewburn Ellis moves to prestigious Innovation Park
The Cambridge office of Mewburn Ellis LLP moved on 26 November to the prestigious St John’s Innovation Park at the centre of the North Cambridge Research and Development Cluster, as the firm continues to expand.
UK to ratify Unitary Patent Court Agreement
The UK government announced this week that the UK will proceed with its preparations to ratify the Unified Patent Court Agreement (UPCA).
Changes in assignment practice at the European Patent Office
European Patent Office (EPO) Guidelines on the evidence required to transfer European applications have changed.
Implications of Brexit for Intellectual Property Rights in the UK
The UK Intellectual Property Office has just issued a guide to the implications of Brexit for IP rights owned by UK companies. While copyright and both UK and European patents are likely to be unaffected, the uncertainty with respect to EU Trade Marks (EUTM), Registered Community Designs (RCD) and the Unified Patent Court remains to be resolved.
IP law reform in Queen's Speech
Reform of the law on unjustified threats of infringement of intellectual property rights will be enacted in this Parliament, reports Mewburn Ellis LLP.
Alliance Pharmaceuticals plc acquire healthcare business from Sinclair IS Pharma plc
One of Cambridge-based IP firm Mewburn Ellis LLP's clients, Alliance Pharmaceuticals plc, have announced their acquisition of the Healthcare Products Business from Sinclair IS Pharma plc.
Cambridge-based patent firm supports top global 100 innovator of 2015
One of Cambridge-based patent law firm Mewburn Ellis LLP's clients, Mitsui Chemicals, has been named by Thomson Reuters (New York, USA) as one of the top global 100 innovators in 2015.