Life Sciences

Our specialist life sciences team is consistently regarded as the leading choice for IP by some of Australasia’s most influential organisations.

Life sciences expertise

Our life sciences team is consistently regarded as the leading choice for developing and implementing IP strategy by some of Australasia’s most innovative universities, start-ups, and research organisations.

James & Wells has an experienced team of life science specialists, with proven research experience across a range of life sciences including immunology, gene therapy, synthetic medicinal chemistry, drug development and repurposing, antibodies, cell therapies, cell biology, microbiology, vaccines and diagnostics.

Through defending the patent rights of our clients before the courts and patent offices of both Australia and New Zealand we are uniquely placed to advise innovators on established strategies for success. In the ever-evolving life sciences sector, our team also have the experience, expertise and confidence to carve out effective new strategies for overcoming complex hurdles in newly developing areas.

In order to keep abreast of industry trends and be at the forefront of life sciences innovation, James & Wells is an active member of AusBiotech, Life Sciences Queensland, Biotech New Zealand and Natural Health Products NZ. We understand the life sciences industry of today, and where it will be, tomorrow.

Our Head of Biotechnology, Dr Andrew Clarke sits on the AusBiotech Intellectual Property Expert Panel, which regularly provides expertise to government departments on intellectual property issues, advocating for the Australian biotechnology sector.

In addition, Andrew is on the biotechnology standing committee of The International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), regularly being involved in significant consultations on global intellectual property issues that impact the biotechnology industry.

 

Meet our life sciences experts

Janelle Borham

Partner

Janelle Borham

Janelle joined James & Wells in 2024 as a partner based in our Melbourne office, after spending 20 years as a principal heading up a sizeable team of patent attorneys at a large Australia firm. Janelle is a registered Australian…

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Jennifer Lucas

Partner

Jennifer Lucas

Jennifer has over 15 years’ experience in patent drafting and prosecution across a range of jurisdictions. Her experience covers chemistry, particularly pharmaceuticals, human and veterinary medical devices, food technology; including plant-based products and processes, dairy food and beverage innovation, health/nutraceutical…

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Kate Wilson

Consultant – IP Strategist

Kate Wilson

Kate, a former founding partner of James & Wells, is a registered patent attorney (in New Zealand and Australia), has degrees in physics and chemistry, and is internationally recognised as a leading IP strategist with particular experience in patent matters….

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Dr. Samuel Fraser

Patent Executive

Dr. Samuel Fraser

Sam is a Patent Executive in the James & Wells Patents team, based in our Christchurch office. Sam has a PhD in Chemistry from the Australian National University and undertook post-doctoral research at Yonsei University in South Korea. Sam has…

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Jason Rogers

Partner

Jason Rogers

As Head of the James & Wells Life Sciences team, and with over twenty-five years’ industry experience, Jason’s expertise includes a diverse array of biotechnology fields. Jason’s focus is on high-end intellectual property strategies for patent, design and copyright rights….

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Dr. Andrew Clarke

Partner

Dr. Andrew Clarke

Passionate about the biotechnology industry (particularly the biomedical research sector) Dr. Andrew Clarke heads James & Wells’ biotechnology team in Australia. Andrew has an impressive track record of managing and prosecuting worldwide portfolios for universities, large research organisations, ASX-listed companies,…

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Dr. Andrew Scott

Partner

Dr. Andrew Scott

Andrew heads James & Wells’ Chemistry team. With a broad background in physics, biochemistry, and chemistry, Andrew has also completed a PhD in synthetic medicinal chemistry and post-doctoral studies in materials science. Andrew is passionate about providing solid, commercially relevant…

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Dr. Jenny Chien

Patent Executive

Dr. Jenny Chien

Dr. Jenny Chien joined the Auckland Patents team in 2019 after working as a Research Associate at the University of Auckland’s Leukaemia & Blood Cancer Research Unit. Jenny has a Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology from Washington University and a…

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Dr. Taylor Smallwood

Trainee Patent Attorney

Dr. Taylor Smallwood

Taylor joined the Brisbane Patents Team in 2021. She previously worked at the University of Queensland as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow since 2018. Her experience at UQ included a collaborative project with international pharmaceutical company, Grünenthal, to develop novel, non-opioid…

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Alexia Mayer

Partner

Alexia Mayer

Alexia is an experienced Australian and New Zealand intellectual property (IP) litigator. Alexia’s practice includes patent, trade mark and copyright infringement, patent and trade mark oppositions, breach of confidence, IP ownership disputes, misleading and deceptive conduct,  IP licensing, and pharmaceutical/medical…

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Ian Finch

Partner

Ian Finch

Ian is recognised as one of New Zealand’s most influential leaders in intellectual property. He has extensive experience advising clients in the filing, prosecution, and enforcement of their innovation at all levels and across a range of industries, particularly in…

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Gus Hazel

Partner

Gus Hazel

Gus is one of Australasia’s most experienced intellectual property lawyers. His experience includes litigation at all levels of the Australian and New Zealand systems, alternative dispute resolution procedures (mediation and arbitration), commercialisation, regulatory issues and administrative law. In addition to…

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Insights & Resources

Your Champions of Innovation®

Since 1979, James & Wells has been at the forefront of innovation in Australasia. We are here to help you grow, leverage and protect your IP. Our depth of experience ranges from managing large IP portfolios for international corporations, right through to protecting the ideas of start-ups, and everything in between. No matter the size of your organisation, James & Wells are here to be your dedicated Champions of Innovation®.

We are a full-service IP firm – that means you will find everything you need to protect your IP just by working with us. We will help you with patents, trade marks, litigation and IP strategy – our people are externally recognised as some of the best in the business, and they work together to bring you custom-built IP solutions that are tailored exactly to your needs. When you work with James & Wells, you know you’re in a safe pair of hands, with a highly experienced team supporting you.

Talk to us today about how we can work together.

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