Chloe Flower

Chloe is an enthusiastic and driven European and UK Patent Attorney who cares about her clients. Her strong academic background supports her expertise across a spectrum of technologies in the chemistry, materials and medical technology sectors including medical devices, polymers, 3D printing and batteries. She confidently provides clear, strategic advice, whether guiding an application from drafting through to grant or crafting a strategy to maximise success in a dispute.

Chloe has a focus on contentious matters at the EPO. She has considerable experience of EPO opposition and appeal proceedings for patents relating to medical technology, encompassing products such as orthopaedic implants, endoscopic instruments, electrophysiology catheters, glucose monitors, hemostatic materials and wound closures (sutures, staplers, adhesives). 

Chloe loves building strong relationships with her clients. She takes great satisfaction from developing a deep understanding of their technologies and business needs, which enables her to prioritise their commercial goals within their patent strategy.

Opposition and Litigation, UPC Experience

Chloe has worked on a range of post-grant proceedings in relation to patents across the medical devices, chemical and materials sectors. She is able to quickly get up to speed with complex issues, and has been trusted to in defend patents she was not involved in the drafting or prosecution of, including cases at an advanced stage in proceedings.

Her focus is on contentious matters at the EPO, with considerable experience of opposition and appeal proceedings. In addition, she has provided key support in litigation in the UK and UPC including in cases relating to highly accurate long-read DNA sequencing technology (Pacific Biosciences of California v Oxford Nanopore), antimicrobial coated sutures (Ethicon Inc. v Meril), and glucose monitoring systems (December 2024). Chloe's fluency in and appreciation of the role of technical evidence and expert witnesses, including in the taking of expert evidence at the UPC, helps her shape winning strategies in contentious proceedings, aligned to commercial priorities.

Some highlights include:
-    EP3977921, T1470/24, ACT_588346/2023 and ACT_14848/2024 Defence of a European patent before the EPO and UPC. 
-    EP2893540 Strawman v Jubilant Draximage Inc. Successful defence against an anonymous opponent at opposition.
-    EP2480260, T0962/18 Baxter Healthcare SA v Ethicon Inc. Successful defence of the patent relating to a composite layered hemostasis device. The patent was maintained in amended form. 
-    HP-2020-000041, Ethicon Inc, Johnson & Johnson, Johnson & Johnson Medical Limited v Meril Life Sciences Ltd, Meril GmbH, Uniplex (UK) Ltd. Successful defence and infringement action relating to antimicrobial-coated sutures. Settlement before trial.
-    EP2338421, T1064/15 Strawman v Quill Medical. Successful defence of this patent relating to barbed sutures with commercially relevant claim scope. 
-    EP2103260, Ethicon LLC v Covidien LP. Successful revocation of the patent relating to barbed sutures.
-    EP2939697, T1919/19 Ethicon Inc. v Baxter International Inc & Healthcare SA. Successful invalidation of broad independent claims as granted at appeal.
-    EP2575776, T0527/21, Ethicon Inc. v Baxter International Inc & Healthcare SA. Successful revocation of the patent relating to hemostatic “wet pastes”.

Chloe takes an active interest in case law surrounding EPO oppositions and appeals. She edits a chapter of the European Patents Handbook on the Rules of Procedure of the Boards of Appeal (RPBA). 

Qualifications and Technical Background

Chloe’s Natural Science degree and Materials Science PhD both from the University of Cambridge provided the perfect foundation for a patent attorney. Her work covers a spectrum of subject matter from chemistry and materials related projects (for example, battery anodes and electrolytes, 3D printing, proppants for mining, polymers for airbags) to complex medical devices including those used in laparoscopic surgery or electrophysiology mapping and ablation.

Professional Career

Chloe joined the profession in 2012 at another leading UK patent firm, qualifying as a European Patent Attorney in 2015 and as a Chartered Patent Attorney in 2016. She joined Mewburn Ellis LLP in 2025.

About

Growing up in the Channel Islands, she has a particular interest in the environment and has penned a number of articles on patenting wind power technology. 

Chloe is a member of several groups focused on inclusion and diversity in intellectual property, including the IP Inclusive Women in IP focus group, Chiefs in Intellectual Property (ChIPs), and the Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) Women in IP Global Network. She is passionate about building an inclusive culture where every team member feels valued and supported, and she has contributed to many DEI initiatives throughout her career.

Chloe is a talented flautist and keen swimmer and tries to find time to compete at National level alongside looking after her young family.  She brings the same focus, determination and commitment to both her athletic pursuits and her patent career.

Recommendations and feedback

Chloe was recognised as a key lawyer in the 2020 edition of The Legal 500.

“Chloe catches added matter issues up front and provides valuable guidance both for oppositions and drafting. I also appreciate her candor when discussing the chances of an application getting through the EPO or winning an opposition.” – General Counsel, Medical Devices client