Our people
Partner, Patent Attorney, Sustainability Champion
Chemistry
Cambridge
UPC Representative Oppositions ExpertOur IP specialists work at all stages of the IP life cycle and provide strategic advice about patent, trade mark and registered designs, as well as any IP-related disputes and legal and commercial requirements.
View the teamWe want to keep you up to date with developments in the IP world and let you know what we are up to at Mewburn Ellis.
Learn moreWe believe in making it easy for you to find the information that you want – and you can always contact us if you can’t find what you need
Read our law and practice guidesEleanor is passionate about the role technology can play in a more sustainable future and enjoys working in close partnership to use her expertise to advance the commercial goals of her clients. Eleanor drafts chemistry patents for UK and international clients and is experienced in the prosecution of global patent portfolios as well as opposition and appeals before the EPO. She has a proven track record and recently won three valuable opposition and appeal cases for key clients. Eleanor frequently provides patentability and Freedom to Operate opinions for her clients.
Focus on Sustainability
Eleanor is our Sustainability Champion and is responsible for leading the firm’s environmental strategy and our sustainability collaboration group, ensuring this remains an important focus for the firm.
Areas of Expertise
Eleanor specialises in sustainable chemical and material inventions, particularly:
Eleanor also specialises in small molecule chemistry including for therapeutics and agricultural molecules and particularly where small molecule and sustainable technology intersect.
Clients
Eleanor works with a range of local and international clients in the sustainable chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, biotechnology, agricultural chemistry and nanotechnology sectors in the UK, US and Japan. These include universities, SMEs, large corporations and attorney firms. Eleanor’s UK focus is on deeptech and cleantech companies, particularly SMEs, where she brings her understanding of the varying role of IP at different stages of business growth to help her clients achieve their business goals.
Background
Eleanor has a Master’s degree in natural sciences from Cambridge University, specialising in chemistry. She also has a DPhil in organic chemistry from Oxford University and carried out post-doctoral research at both Oxford and Kyoto University in Japan. She joined Mewburn Ellis LLP in 2013, qualifying as a Chartered Patent Attorney and European Patent Attorney in 2017. She joined the partnership in 2022.
Opposition Highlights
Eleanor has worked on a range of chemical and materials related opposition cases including:
EP16851616.9 - A defensive opposition for Nippon Soda where Eleanor successfully maintained the patent as granted against a major competitor (Syngenta). The opposition was rejected entirely.
EP07737057.5 – One in a series of defensive oppositions for Mitsui Chemicals against major competitor, Bruno Bock. Eleanor was successful on appeal at maintaining claim 1 as granted, strengthening our client's position in the market and their commercial negotiations.
EP14701796.6 - An offensive opposition against a major competitor’s patent which blocked key coding and marking technology for Eleanor’s client, Domino Printing Sciences. The opposition resulted in revocation of the patent removing this commercial barrier for our client.
Recommendations
Eleanor is named as a ‘Rising Star’ in the Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Stars 2022, 2023 and 2024.
'Eleanor Maciver is practitioners to watch.' - MIP 2023