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Sarah is a Partner and patent attorney in our Life Sciences and Chemistry group. Her practice focusses on the field of biotechnology, and she has significant expertise and experience in the areas of synthetic biology, next-generation DNA sequencing technologies, proteomics, diagnostics, medical devices and antibody and TCR technology.

She regularly advises clients in relation to technologies where the life sciences intersects with other fields, including bioinformatics and digital health. For such technologies, an interdisciplinary approach is often required, for example when machine learning and AI are used in the life sciences field, and she enjoys working together with her colleagues across the firm to provide a bespoke experience to clients in these sectors.

Her client base ranges from UK and international academic institutes and startups through to multinationals. Sarah is experienced at handling all stages of the patenting process, from the initial stages of invention capture and drafting patent applications through international prosecution to EPO oppositions and appeals. She ensures that the client’s strategic and commercial goals are considered from the outset.

With over 20 years’ experience in the patent profession, Sarah is well-placed to advise on the best IP strategy for each of her clients depending on their individual requirements.
 
Sarah speaks regularly on aspects of European and UK patent practice and IP issues in relation to the life sciences.

"The standout individuals are Nick Bassil, Jennifer Harris, Sarah Lau, and Mark Abthorpe. All have excellent technical knowledge and are great communicators." The Legal 500, 2023

Sarah was recognised in the 2022 editon of The Legal 500.

Qualifications

European Patent Attorney
Chartered UK Patent Attorney
IP Litigator - Patent
BA (Hons) Natural Sciences (Zoology) - University of Cambridge (2001), specialising in molecular and cellular biology

Memberships

​Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)
The Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (EPI)

When tech met bio: collaborations in AI drug discovery Kilburn & Strode (2023)

AI technology and patenting in the life sciences part 1: Is AI-based life science innovation patentable?, Kilburn & Strode (2022)
 
AI technology and patenting in the life sciences part 2: When should AI-based life science innovation be patented?, Kilburn & Strode (2022)
 
AI technology and patenting in the life sciences part 3: Innovations made using AI, Kilburn & Strode (2022)

European Inventor Award highlights importance of cross-sector technologies, Kilburn & Strode (2021)

Patenting MedTech in Europe: key take-aways from part 1 of our Patent Power Half Hour webinar, Kilburn & Strode (2021)

Solving in-house counsel challenges in European IP: Transatlantic teamwork, Kilburn & Strode (2021)

Conversation with Sarah Lau in The Emergence of Life: From Chemical Origins to Synthetic Biology, Second Edition by Pier Luigi Luisi (Cambridge University Press 2016)

IP issues in relation to synthetic biology – presentation at Synthetic Biology Congress (October 2014)

Patent practice in the US post-Myriad – presentation at UK Bioscience Forum (October 2014)

Gene patenting in Europe and the US after Myriad – presentation at UK Bioscience Forum (October 2013)

‘Practical tips for protecting your inventions’, Microbiologist magazine, (March 2013)

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