Paul Commander

Professional Qualifications:  
European Patent Attorney  
Chartered Patent Attorney

Academic Qualifications:
M.A. Biochemistry, University of Cambridge
Ph.D. Molecular Microbiology, University of Cambridge
Diploma in Patent Litigation in Europe, University of Strasbourg

Paul re-joined Abel + Imray in 2019 after initially starting his career with the firm in 2004. Paul has a degree in Natural Sciences, specialising in biochemistry and his Ph.D. was directed to an investigation of the molecular biology and molecular genetics of pigment production in a bacterial plant pathogen.

Paul has wide experience of patenting in the pharmaceutical and biotech fields both as in-house and external counsel. He has particular knowledge and IP expertise in the area of small molecule and large molecule therapeutics, including antibodies, from his time working as in-house patent counsel for Eli Lilly in the UK, as well as gaining a particular specialism in vaccines patents following a period as an in-house attorney for Sanofi Pasteur in France.

Prior to training as a patent attorney, Paul worked in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector for Unilever as part of their prestigious graduate training programme, taking on roles in product research and manufacturing.

Paul has experience of all aspects of IP work in the life sciences area, including patent drafting and international patent prosecution, supplementary protection certificates (SPCs), freedom to operate and patentability analyses and patent licensing. He has also appeared before the Opposition Division and the Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office (EPO). Following more than five years of residence in France, Paul is fluent in French (CEFR level C2) and in 2019, Paul obtained a Diploma in Patent Litigation in Europe from the respected Centre d’Études Internationales de la Propriété Intellectuelle (CEIPI) at the University of Strasbourg.