Robert Andrews

Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs): patent expertise

Robert is one of Europe's leading patent attorneys specialising in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), non-traditional conjugates and targeted therapeutic platforms. He has more than 20 years' experience advising founders, executives, and in-house IP teams of ADC and conjugate life science companies. Over this time, he has built a reputation as a trusted advisor on European ADC intellectual property and patent strategy, noted for providing practical, commercial insights grounded in deep technical understanding and long experience working with start ups, SMEs, and international biotechs.

Robert has worked closely with ADC and conjugate clients on ADC patent strategy, prosecution, FtO, EPO oppositions, due diligence and transactions to build value in conjugate assets that withstand investor, partner, and regulatory scrutiny. Working with innovators ranging from venture-backed start-ups to commercial-stage organisations, he combines deep scientific understanding with commercially focused ADC patent strategy to help clients create, protect and maximise the value of their intellectual property assets.

As a leading member of our ADC and conjugate team, Robert has advised clients across the full ADC ecosystem, including:

• antibody engineering
• cytotoxic payload technologies
• linker technologies
• site-specific conjugation platforms
• novel conjugation chemistries
• bioconjugates
• bispecific ADCs; and
• next-generation targeted therapeutics.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs): commercial experience

Antibody-drug conjugates are a core focus of Robert's practice. He has worked with ADC innovators across the full product lifecycle, from early platform development through clinical development, partnering transactions, regulatory milestones and commercialisation (see the interview with Patrick van Berkel, former CSO of ADC Therapeutics).

Robert is known for developing commercially focused patent strategies that align intellectual property investment with business objectives and value creation:

"Exceptional awareness from the lead partner Robert Andrews with correspondingly practical, pragmatic advice. He appears to represent a good selection of clients in the sector and his combined experience is very much to our benefit." 
[Nick Finnie, former Head of IP, ADC Therapeutics]

"There aren’t many Patent Attorneys as knowledgeable and excited about the ADC field." 
[CSO, UK ADC SME]

Recognition

Robert is recognised as a Key Lawyer by The Legal 500 and as a Recommended Individual by JUVE Patent. Clients value his ability to combine deep technical knowledge of ADC and conjugate technologies with commercially focused IP strategy.

Experience with contentious proceedings

Robert has significant experience with European Patent Office contentious work, including complex opposition and appeal proceedings. He has successfully represented clients in strategically important matters.

EP2188381 - Robert succeeded in having the patent revoked at opposition.

EP2591119 - Robert successfully narrowed claims to clarify our client's freedom to operate in a commercially important space.

EP1877568 - Robert successfully narrowed claims to clarify our client's freedom to operate in a commercially important space.

Korean Biotechnology expertise

Alongside his specialist practice in ADCs and conjugate therapeutics, he advises many Korean biopharma companies (K-Bio). This reflects a professional network built over more than 10 years of sustained engagement with one of the world's most dynamic biotech ecosystems, following several months living and working in Seoul in 2014. Robert now works with a range of companies in the dynamic K-Bio sector, which takes him back to Seoul regularly.  

Qualifications

Robert holds:
•    MBioc, University of Oxford
•    MPhil, University of Cambridge
•    PhD in Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge
He qualified as a UK Chartered Patent Attorney in 2010 and as a European Patent Attorney in 2011, joining the partnership of Mewburn Ellis in 2015.

Inclusivity Leader

Robert is our Chief Inclusion & Diversity Officer (CIDO), a Management Board role in which he develops and executes our I&D strategy. As part of his thought leadership in this role, Robert has featured regularly in the media (see examples here, here, and here).

Robert is also a member of IP Inclusive Management (IPIM), the leadership body of IP Inclusive, the UK’s leading sector-wide advocate for equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing in the IP professions.

In recognition of his contribution to I&D in the IP sector, Robert was named as a WIPR - World IP Review Diversity 2022 Champion and was shortlisted for DE&I Private Practice Champion of the Year at the Legal 500 UK ESG Awards 2026.