Boult Wade Tennant
People » Matthew Spencer

Matthew Spencer

Partner

Cambridge

Contact
Download V-card
Address
Memberships
  • BIA
  • CIPA
  • EPI
  • One Nucleus
Qualifications
  • Registered UPC Representative
  • European Patent Attorney
  • Chartered Patent Attorney
  • Certificate in Intellectual Property Law, Queen Mary University of London
  • MA (Cantab) Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge
  • MSci Biochemistry, University of Cambridge

My team and I work with a range of biotech and pharmaceutical clients both inside and outside of Cambridge.

The majority of my work concerns immunotherapy, both passive and active. In this field I am involved in all aspects of strategic portfolio development, including drafting and coordinating worldwide prosecution. However, more and more of my time these days is spent with later stage products, in particular attacking and defending patents in Opposition and Appeal proceedings before the European Patent Office. The nature of these products also requires regular performance of freedom to operate (FTO) searches and analysis and devising strategies to address the results. I particularly enjoy these high value collaborative projects where I can work as part of a larger team, but also ultimately see the benefit to patients being realised.

My aim is always to ensure that our clients enjoy working with us. I take pride in being able to give clear, readily understandable advice. This can be challenging when dealing with large, complex projects and often requires input from people in different parts of the business, each of whom have slightly different priorities and attitude to risk. I find it immensely rewarding when we get the opportunity to work with the same client on a new project because it tells me they were happy with our input in the last one.

Due to the work I do, I am highly experienced in contentious procedures and have recently gained more experience in coordinating EPO procedures with national litigation. The UPC provides new opportunities for collaborative working and we are in a strong position to help those of our clients who wish to take advantage of the system.

On a personal level I have taken an active role in equality, diversity and inclusion here at Boult. I am proud to have launched our partnership with the Sutton Trust to spread the word about the IP profession to a more diverse set of candidates earlier in their educational lives. I am also one of the original signatories of the IP Inclusive Senior Leaders’ Pledge, which includes a promise to work alongside more junior colleagues to effect positive change in this area.

Recent experience

Successfully defending Arecor’s European Patent 2457590 concerning polysaccharide vaccines in appeal proceedings. See the report here.

Obtained revocation of European patent 2604625 relating to methods of generating antibodies before the Board of Appeal.

Successful defence of European patent 2719774 on behalf of Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation in opposition proceedings, leading to rejection of the opposition.

Testimonials and recognitions
  • Recommended individual, IAM Patent 1000, 2023, 2021, 2020
  • Named as a key attorney, Legal 500, 2023
  • Listed as a World Leading Patent Professional, IAM Patent 1000, 2022
  • “For me the stand-out team members are Matthew Spencer and Barbara Rigby. I am impressed by their attention to detail, diligence and willingness to rise to challenges, such as tight deadlines or less than ideal information provided by the client.” Legal 500, 2022
Publications
Relevant Search Terms
Recommended Sites
Suggested Media
Recognitions
  • Named as a key attorney by Legal 500, 2023
  • Listed as a World leading Patent Professional, IAM Patent 1000, 2022
Additional Info
Languages
“For me, the biggest reward is being able to take a complex scenario and give the client a qualified professional opinion with clear advice.”
Sector Experience
Biotechnology
  • Antibody engineering
  • Antibody manufacture and formulation
  • Bioinformatics
  • Biosimilars
  • Drug delivery
  • Gene editing (e.g. CRISPR)
  • Genomic and molecular tools and methods
  • GM crops
  • Immuno-oncology (e.g. checkpoint inhibitors; modified T cells)
  • Next generation sequencing
  • Nucleic acid synthesis
  • Personalised medicine/disease biomarkers
  • Recombinant protein production and purification
  • Stem cell therapies
  • Supplementary protection certificates (SPCs)
  • Synthetic biology
  • Therapeutic antibodies
  • Vaccinology (e.g. viral vectors; mRNA vaccines)
  • Women’s health products
Computing and software
  • Bioinformatics
Electronics and electrical devices
  • Medical devices
Energy and green technologies
  • Biofuels
Medical devices and diagnostics 
  • Drug delivery
  • Medtech
Pharmaceuticals
  • Drug delivery
  • Generic market entry
  • Medicinal chemistry
  • Methods of production and synthesis
  • Personalised medicine/disease biomarkers
  • Pharmaceutical formulations
  • Polymorphs
  • Small molecule pharmaceuticals
  • Supplementary protection certificates (SPCs)

My team and I work with a range of biotech and pharmaceutical clients both inside and outside of Cambridge.

The majority of my work concerns immunotherapy, both passive and active. In this field I am involved in all aspects of strategic portfolio development, including drafting and coordinating worldwide prosecution. However, more and more of my time these days is spent with later stage products, in particular attacking and defending patents in Opposition and Appeal proceedings before the European Patent Office. The nature of these products also requires regular performance of freedom to operate (FTO) searches and analysis and devising strategies to address the results. I particularly enjoy these high value collaborative projects where I can work as part of a larger team, but also ultimately see the benefit to patients being realised.

My aim is always to ensure that our clients enjoy working with us. I take pride in being able to give clear, readily understandable advice. This can be challenging when dealing with large, complex projects and often requires input from people in different parts of the business, each of whom have slightly different priorities and attitude to risk. I find it immensely rewarding when we get the opportunity to work with the same client on a new project because it tells me they were happy with our input in the last one.

Due to the work I do, I am highly experienced in contentious procedures and have recently gained more experience in coordinating EPO procedures with national litigation. The UPC provides new opportunities for collaborative working and we are in a strong position to help those of our clients who wish to take advantage of the system.

On a personal level I have taken an active role in equality, diversity and inclusion here at Boult. I am proud to have launched our partnership with the Sutton Trust to spread the word about the IP profession to a more diverse set of candidates earlier in their educational lives. I am also one of the original signatories of the IP Inclusive Senior Leaders’ Pledge, which includes a promise to work alongside more junior colleagues to effect positive change in this area.

Recent experience

Successfully defending Arecor’s European Patent 2457590 concerning polysaccharide vaccines in appeal proceedings. See the report here.

Obtained revocation of European patent 2604625 relating to methods of generating antibodies before the Board of Appeal.

Successful defence of European patent 2719774 on behalf of Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation in opposition proceedings, leading to rejection of the opposition.

Testimonials and recognitions
  • Recommended individual, IAM Patent 1000, 2023, 2021, 2020
  • Named as a key attorney, Legal 500, 2023
  • Listed as a World Leading Patent Professional, IAM Patent 1000, 2022
  • “For me the stand-out team members are Matthew Spencer and Barbara Rigby. I am impressed by their attention to detail, diligence and willingness to rise to challenges, such as tight deadlines or less than ideal information provided by the client.” Legal 500, 2022
Publications
Relevant Search Terms
Recommended Sites
Suggested Media
Recognitions
  • Named as a key attorney by Legal 500, 2023
  • Listed as a World leading Patent Professional, IAM Patent 1000, 2022
Additional Info

Insights

image
Bulletin

From the G 2/21 preliminary opinion.

More
INSIGHTS