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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 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
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
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)
Patent Expert 2018.
Who's Who Legal
Zöe Clyde-Watson is very proactive in strategising actions in support of freedom to use, and she has strong opposition skills.
IAM Patent 1000
Zöe Clyde-Watson regularly conducts due diligence on patent portfolios and has additional expertise in drafting and prosecution.
Legal 500