Potter Clarkson Strengthens Life Science Team In Stockholm

Potter Clarkson has added two senior patent attorneys to their rapidly expanding life science team in Stockholm.

Kieron O'Connell, a partner in the firm's chemistry and pharmaceuticals department, and Kevin Rich, a senior associate in the biotechnology department, have joined the firm's Swedish team, transferring from their positions in the UK.

Kieron holds a PhD in organic chemistry and worked as a medicinal chemist in the pharmaceutical industry before joining Potter Clarkson in 2014. Principally specialising in small molecule pharmaceutical inventions, Kieron has considerable experience of building patent portfolios involving this subject matter, and of advising in relation to other pharmaceutical exclusivities, including Supplementary Protection Certificates and regulatory exclusivities. He also brings experience of European Patent Office opposition and appeal proceedings and of litigation in the UK High Court.

Kevin holds a PhD in immunology, which included a sabbatical on designing algorithms to automate data analysis, and worked as a senior scientist with GlaxoSmithKline before joining Potter Clarkson in 2018. Kevin specialises in technology within the fields of immunology, molecular biology, and biochemistry, and has a wealth of experience in drafting, prosecuting, and defending such technologies, whether before the European Patent Office or by advising on strategy internationally.

In addition, Polina Lizunkova joins the Stockholm team as a patent attorney trainee in the firm's biotechnology department, having recently completed her PhD in environmental toxicology at Uppsala University, and further enhancing the department's experience in bioengineering and biomedical sciences.

The addition of Kieron, Kevin and Polina brings Potter Clarkson's Sweden-based team to a total of 16 IP professionals, including patent and trade mark specialists and attorneys-at-law.