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Charles Harding

Partner, Patent Attorney Southampton
Profile of Charles Harding

I’ve been a partner at D Young & Co since 1995. Most of my practice concerns life sciences such as biotechnology, immunology and biochemistry. After more than 35 years in the sector, I’m still passionate about working with innovative clients who are breaking new ground and making a genuine difference.

Before I joined the firm, I worked as a patent and trade mark attorney in the chemical and biotechnological industry with Rohm & Haas Company. This followed invaluable working experience in the life science arena gained at Amersham International, Hammersmith Hospital and the Gray Cancer Institute. Since then, I’ve frequently chaired and lectured at numerous international conferences and conventions on issues concerning patents in the life sciences. Since the early 1990s I’ve been giving lectures at Queen Mary, University of London, to candidates wishing to become European patent attorneys.

I represent blue chip companies, SMEs and academic organisations before the UKIPO and the EPO on diverse life sciences patent matters. My portfolio covers technologies ranging from molecular biology, immunology, biotechnology, virology, veterinary science and food science, through to protein chemistry, chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceuticals and devices. I have an extensive practice in EPO oppositions and appeals, and offer over 25 years’ advocacy experience including representation before the EPO Enlarged Board of Appeal. I’ve been involved in litigation (including at first instance and appellate level) in the UK, France, Germany, USA, South Africa and Japan. I have also attended interviews at the US Patent Office.

In January 2021, I became an Honorary Professor of the Centre for Commercial Studies of Queen Mary University of London. In February 2024, I had the honour of being elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry for my contributions to the chemical and biological sciences.

Awards

  • Legal 500 UK Leading Partner 2025.
  • Recognised as "recommended" by Who's Who Legal (WWL) IP 2024.
  • Recognised as a recommended individual by IAM Patent 1000 2024.
  • Featured in the Leaders League UK Best Law Firms & IP Agencies for Patent Prosecution 2024.

Qualifications

  • BSc Double Hons Chemistry and Biochemistry, Imperial College London.
  • PhD in Medical Research (MRI contrast agents), University of London.
  • Certificate in Intellectual Property Law, Queen Mary College, University of London.
  • European Patent Attorney.
  • Chartered Patent Attorney.
  • Registered representative before the Unified Patent Court (UPC), 2024.

Memberships

  • Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA).
  • European Patent Institute (epi).
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

Publications

  • European Patent Office’s Eposium 1992 Genetic Engineering – The New Challenge; Special Recognition Award “Of rodents and elephants (a week in the life of the European patent in the name of A. Shrew Co.)”.
  • Bligh SW, Harding CT, Sadler PJ, Bulman RA, Bydder GM, Pennock JM, Kelly JD, Latham IA, Marriott JA. “Use of paramagnetic chelated metal derivatives of polysaccharides and spin-labelled polysaccharides as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging.” Magn Reson Med. 1991 Feb;17(2):516-32.
  • Named inventor on the following patents: EP patent No. 0210043, EP patent No. 0236411, EP patent No. 0183760, US patent No. 4880007, US patent No. 5250672 and US patent No. 5401491.
  • CIPA article on exhaustion of rights.
  • “Patentable Inventions” World IP Review 2008.
  • Former contributor to the CIPA Guide to the Patents Act.
  • Runner-up Daily Telegraph Young Science Writer of the Year Award.
Good at interacting with clients.
Legal 500
A familiar face at the EPO, sharp thinker Charles Harding is famous in the profession.
IAM Patent 1000
Charles Harding's deep knowledge of patents is put on display in his lectures at Queen Mary University of London.
IAM Patent 1000
Charles’s strategies are thoughtful, powerful and achieve excellent results.
IAM Patent 1000
Clearly in the premier league of patent attorneys covering biotech in the UK.
IP Stars (Managing IP)
Particularly well known for EPO oppositions and appeals.
Legal 500
Harding’s rigorous analytical mind is an invaluable asset in the drafting process.
IAM Patent 1000
Charles Harding and Matthew Caines (and in fact everyone I worked with from D Young [& Co]) are a pleasure to work with, making an arduous opposition and appeal much easier.
Legal 500
An excellent understanding of clients’ commercial interests.
Legal 500
Charles Harding is an expert across the life sciences, including biotech, molecular biology and immunology.
IAM Patent 1000
Charles Harding is also a resolute defender of clients’ interests in life sciences oppositions and appeals.
IAM Patent 1000
Charles Harding’s 25 years of experience in front of the IP courts in Germany, the United Kingdom, France and South Africa mark him out as an extraordinarily seasoned oppositions and appeals expert.
IPSTARS (Managing IP)
Charles Harding is renowned in the market and possesses three decades of experience representing clients in a wide range of patent matters.
Who's Who Legal
Excellent at both oral proceedings and high-pressure cases.
Chambers
Oppositions ace Harding “is always on top of developments and his ideas for patent strategy are always creative”.
Legal 500
Harding is described as a very technically knowledgeable and responsive practitioner with great business acumen.
IAM Patent 1000
Charles Harding is recommended for his prosecution nous, but also keeps busy with contentious matters.
IAM Patent 1000
Highly recommended for his performances at the EPO...the firm's longest-serving life sciences partner with some 35 years under his belt.
IAM Patent 1000
Charles Harding garners plaudits for his savvy approach to prosecution from sources as far away as Australia.
Legal 500
Patent Expert 2018.
Expert Guides
Charles Harding has formed a fabulous team at D Young & Co, combining chemistry and biotech expertise to seamlessly support us.
Legal 500
Charles is also great when it comes to educating on the rules and procedure of European patent law, and collaborates with in-house counsel seamlessly to form the best approach.
IAM Patent 1000
I was pleasantly surprised (amazed, actually) at how quickly Charles Harding and Matthew Caines both got up to speed on our technology and the distinctions between our claimed technology and that of the proprietor, as well as that of the other opponents.
Legal 500
Harding digs so deep into the technology and patents at hand that he knows them as well as his clients, and he prepares strong arguments that are technically accurate and legally sound.
IAM Patent 1000
Highly recommended 2018.
Legal 500
Charles Harding is a notable name in the life sciences arena, especially regarding biotechnology, molecular biology, and immunology.
Legal 500
Charles Harding represents academic and research institutions, emerging businesses and multinational corporations in patent oppositions and litigation concerning the life sciences and medical research fields.
Chambers
[Charles Harding and Matthew Caines'] technical familiarity was key to our successful arguments in oral proceedings, and led to the best possible outcome.
Legal 500
The long-serving Charles Harding has worked in the patent profession for over 30 years, including 28 with D Young & Co.
IAM Patent 1000
A great sense of the big picture.
Legal 500
Charles Harding is a leading patent attorney with a great deal of experience in the life sciences sector.
Chambers