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Zöe Clyde-Watson

Partner, Patent Attorney London
Profile of Zöe Clyde-Watson

I joined the D Young & Co team in 1998, and was made partner in 2004. With an extensive background in chemistry – particularly with a small molecule pharmaceutical and veterinary angle – I enjoy bringing my scientific and legal expertise to bear for my clients in a fast-changing industry.

I’ve since gained a wealth of experience working with academic and research institutes, start-ups, biotechnological and pharmaceutical SMEs, as well as larger blue-chip companies. This has included handling subject matter across a broad range of chemical technologies, including pharmaceuticals, therapeutic/diagnostic methods, enzymology, drug-peptide conjugates, process chemistry, antisense RNA technology, polymers, polymorphs and formulation chemistry.

My day-to-day practice involves drafting, prosecution, EPO oppositions/appeals and opinion work on freedom to operate. I also have experience in coordinating multi-jurisdictional litigation proceedings, and regularly advise small clients on IP due diligence for project acquisitions, investment/licencing opportunities and stock market flotations.

From 2019 to 2023 I was D Young & Co’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer. I have signed the IP Inclusive Senior Leaders' Pledge to demonstrate my personal commitment to improving diversity and inclusion (D&I) in our firm.

Awards

  • Recognised as "recommended" by Who's Who Legal (WWL) IP 2024.
  • Recognised as a recommended individual by IAM Patent 1000 2024.

Qualifications

  • MA in Natural Sciences, St. Catharine’s College, University of Cambridge.
  • PhD in Organic Chemistry (Research into porphyrin-based receptors, their synthesis and intracavity chemistry), University of Cambridge.
  • Postdoctoral research (Investigating a combinatorial approach to synthesising macrocyclic receptors in the presence of transition state analogues), University of Cambridge.
  • Certificate in Intellectual Property Law, Queen Mary, University of London.
  • European Patent Attorney 2002.
  • Chartered Patent Attorney 2002.
  • Registered representative before the Unified Patent Court, 2023.

Memberships

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

Publications

  • Ethyne-linked cyclic porphyrin oligomers: Synthesis and binding properties, J. Org. Chem., 1997, 62, 240.
Zöe Clyde-Watson regularly conducts due diligence on patent portfolios and has additional expertise in drafting and prosecution.
Legal 500
Provides reliable advice and strategy, is very knowledgeable on EPO patent law and practice, and produces work product of a quality rarely seen.
IAM Patent 1000
Clyde-Watson’s work is exemplary.
IP Stars (Managing IP)
Zöe Clyde-Watson is very proactive in strategising actions in support of freedom to use, and she has strong opposition skills.
IAM Patent 1000
Clyde-Watson employs her background in chemistry to understand the nuances of the technology her patrons work with, and sees high levels of success when prosecuting patents and handling post-grant proceedings as a result.
IAM Patent 1000
Organic chemistry PhD Zöe Clyde-Watson is a whizz across a range of chemical technologies.
IAM Patent 1000
Patent Expert 2018.
Who's Who Legal
Zöe Clyde-Watson has deep case history knowledge which she brings to bear in support of patenting strategies.
IAM Patent 1000
Notable biotechnology and life sciences attorney.
Legal 500