Nick Bassil - Our people - Kilburn & Strode

About

Nick is a partner in our life sciences and chemistry team in London with over 30 years’ experience.

His practice concentrates on clients at all stages in the pharmaceutical chemistry, regenerative medicine, immunotherapy, genome mapping/genome sequencing and synthetic genome assembly sectors. He has been significantly involved in patent applications relating to cloning (somatic cell nuclear transfer), stem cells, cancer immunotherapy / CAR-T cells, regenerative medicine, gene therapy, and monoclonal antibodies / novel antigen receptor proteins (IgNARs/VNARs). Additionally, he brings deep involvement in patent applications relating to controlled release / sustained release pharmaceutical formulations, genetic diagnosis, biomarkers and synthetic biology. He has representative client work with universities, spin-out companies and multinational corporations.

Experience has provided Nick with an insight into intellectual property issues of research institutions, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

His practice ranges from drafting original patent applications and devising filing strategies, to advising on intellectual property aspects of company mergers and acquisitions, including due diligence on intellectual property rights in licensing and/or corporate acquisitions, freedom-to-operate opinions, validity opinions and general counsel.

His European portfolio includes post-grant opposition proceedings at the EPO, contentious proceedings in other foreign jurisdictions, as well as obtaining Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) for pharmaceuticals (patent term extension).

He regularly speaks at conferences on patent issues relating to patent term extension and patentability of inventions in stem cell field. He is a guest lecturer at Queen Mary University of London on the Certificate in Intellectual Property Law and MSC Management in Intellectual Property. He is the author of chapters in guides on international protection of intellectual property rights in the Life Sciences and Software fields.

Accolades

'IP Star' for Patents - Managing IP, IP Stars, 2024

Bassil is a detail-oriented practitioner who quickly assimilates complex concepts to understand the cutting-edge technologies of his clients and can translate this into successful patent applications. He takes the lead acting for Singleron in connection with a portfolio of European patent applications in relation to single-cell genome sequencing. - IAM Patent 1000, 2024

"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

"Nick is a major pharmaceutical heavy-hitter, delivering top-notch patent work in the life science and chemistry field for 30 years. In the past year he has been active seeking an SPC for Melinta Therapeutics, as well as offering due diligence to Oxford Biomedica as it creates US subsidiary Oxford Biomedica Solutions." - IAM Patent 1000, 2023

"Nick Bassil is a real expert when it comes to patent filing and strategy, particularly in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. His calm and thoughtful advice oozes confidence and genuine expertise and experience. He is very easy and reliable to work with." - IAM Patent 1000, 2022

'Recommended' in IAM Patent 1000 2021 edition.

Managing IP has acknowledged Nick as an ‘IP Star’ for Patents in their 2022, 2021 and 2020 IP Stars Handbook.

Nick Bassil combines his “outstanding prosecution practice” in the life sciences and chemistry arenas with strategic adroitness in post-grant EPO proceedings. - IAM Patent 1000, 2019

Nick is "experienced at all stages of patent matters and is particularly recommended for stem cells and regenerative medicine related matters". - The Legal 500, 2017

Nick "is sought after for his SPC knowledge and understanding of stem cells and regenerative medicine". - IAM Patent 1000, 2017

Nick has been recognised for his handling of "a massive portfolio for International Stem Cell Corporation" and his success securing a decision for them before the European Court of Justice. - IAM Patent 1000, 2016

Nick is individually ranked in band 1, Patent Attorneys, Chambers and Partners 2016. "Nick Bassil is experienced at all stages of patent matters, from drafting through filing to oppositions. He specialises in life science." - Chambers and Partners, 2016

Managing IP has acknowledged Nick as an ‘IP Star’ for Patents in their 2014, 2015 and 2016 IP Stars Handbook.

Nick is acknowledged as a "pharmacology and biochemistry master" who plays a "key role" in the chemistry and life sciences arenas. Nick has also been ‘Recommended’ for ‘Individuals - prosecution’. - IAM Patent 1000, 2015

Nick has been named as an expert in his field. - Patents expert guide, 2015

Nick has been called a "star player" and acknowledged for his commercial approach. Nick has also been 'Recommended' for 'Individuals - prosecution.' - IAM Patent 1000, 2014

Credentials

Qualifications

European Patent Attorney (1999)
Chartered UK Patent Attorney (1998)
IP Litigator - Patent
Representative before the Unified Patent Court (UPC) (2023)
MSc in Management of Intellectual Property (1992) from Queen Mary College, University of London.
MSc thesis (1992) on "Molecular characterisation of the endocytic pathway using the fission yeast Schizosaccaromyces pombe" from the University of Birmingham
BSc honours degree in Biochemistry (1988) from the University of Birmingham

Memberships

Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)
European Patent Office (EPI)
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)
International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI)
The Biochemical Society

Publications

N. Bassil, J. Duncombe, Patentability of plant products obtained by an essentially biological process, Kilburn & Strode, (2019)

N. Bassil, K.Cornish, N. Lee, T. Leonard, Protecting the protector: The intersection of IP and Immuno-Oncology, Kilburn & Strode, (2019)

'An introduction to international IP instruments relevant to life sciences’, Intellectual Property in the Life Sciences, Part 1 Chapter 1, Global Law & Business, (2nd edition, 2015)

‘An introduction to international IP instruments relevant to electronics and software’, Intellectual Property in Electronics and Software, Part 1, Chapter 1, Globe Law & Business (2013)

‘Practical implications of the unitary patent system in Europe’, Pharmaceutical Patent Analyst 2(5), 585-590 (2013)

'An introduction to international IP instruments relevant to life sciences’, Intellectual Property in the Life Sciences, Part 1 Chapter 1, Global Law & Business, (2011)

‘Developments in the patentability of inventions relating to human embryonic stem cells’, Bio-Science Law Review, volume 12 (1), pages 3-7 (2011)

'Regenerative Medicine European Court to rule on stem cell patents’, Mednous, volume 5, (5), page 20, May 2011