Partner
Nick’s practice is based in the broad field of the biosciences, with significant clients in the areas of biotechnology and medical devices. His expertise lies in immunology (in particular, antibodies/T cells), RNA interference, nanotechnology, recombinant DNA technology, diagnostics and microparticle technology.
His time is primarily focussed on prosecution and opposition matters at the European Patent Office. His experience and success in these areas means that he is often asked to deal with cutting edge and high profile cases. For example, he represented The Johns Hopkins University in the seminal case that set the 'plausibility' test for the amount of data required to support inventive step in a European patent (T1329/04).
Nick’s large and ever-growing client base spans UK companies, overseas attorneys and large multinationals. His passions include working with biotechnology companies, adding value by building strong and customised patent portfolios, designing and implementing patenting strategies and providing commercial and strategic advice on third party rights in due diligence exercises. He also provides advice directly to a number of US companies in the biosciences area, who highly value his expertise and ability to obtain and protect their European IP.
Outside his casework, Nick is closely involved with smooth running of the firm and his skills extend to responsibility for the management of many of Kilburn & Strode’s departments.
Nick has received the following accolades in recognition of his work:
2019: The Legal 500 for his work representing Harvard College in its European patent for its gene editing technology CRISPR.
2019: IAM Patent – 'a biosciences buff whose EPO advocacy in complex nanotechnology, immunology and diagnostics matters has to be seen to be believed.'
2019, 2018 and 2015: Who’s Who Legal: Patents – a World leading patent attorney who ‘has a “high profile” in the European patent market, say sources, and is commended for his expertise when it comes to the biotechnology and medical devices sectors’ and "First choice” Nick Lee primarily focuses his practice on prosecution and opposition matters at the European Patent Office, and specializes in the fields of biosciences'
2017: IAM Patent – for his work ‘fronting the effort to help se-cure protection for Harvard College’s cutting-edge work on the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system’.
2016: IAM Patent 1000 – handling of ‘all worldwide patent drafting and prosecution for bio-tech titan Immunocore’ and his work protecting a multi-purpose platform for using the body’s own defences to target cancer cells’
2016, 2015 and 2014 IP Stars Handbook, Managing IP – ‘IP Star’