Thomas Driver

Tom is a UK and European Patent Attorney specialising in life sciences and biotechnology. He advises clients across the UK, Europe, Singapore and North America on the drafting, prosecution and strategic management of patent portfolios, with a particular focus on commercially driven IP strategies aligned with business objectives such as investment, partnering and product protection.

Tom works with clients spanning early-stage start-ups, academic spin-outs and established biotechnology companies, and is valued for his ability to quickly understand complex technologies and translate them into robust, defensible patent protection with an international outlook.

Areas of Expertise

• Synthetic Biology / Engineering Biology (SynBio/EngBio)
• Advanced therapeutics
• Multispecific antibodies and antibody drug conjugates (ADCs)
• Precision fermentation

Clients

Tom acts as primary IP counsel for a number of biotechnology clients, guiding IP strategy from initial filing through to the prosecution of large, multi-jurisdictional patent families. His work includes patent drafting and the management of international portfolios before the EPO and other major patent offices worldwide.

He advises UK-based clients developing bio-based chemicals and biofuels using SynBio, EngBio and precision fermentation technologies. He has drafted a wide range of patent applications for such technologies, and has prosecuted many patents to grant in key countries of interest.

In Singapore, Tom works directly with a number of clients, including different start-ups with exciting technologies relating to multispecific antibodies, antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), cell therapies, and diagnostic methods. This work includes complex drafting projects, as well as the prosecution of large and complex patent families in a wide range of jurisdictions.

Qualifications and Technical Background

Tom earned a first class degree, and PhD in Biotechnology, both from the University of Manchester.

During his undergraduate degree, he completed a 12-month placement at a Cambridge-based plant biotechnology company. On this placement, he worked within the genomics division and developed new processes and assays to be used in advanced breeding programs.

His PhD research focussed on the metabolic engineering of microalgae for biofuel production. Part of this research involved the investigation of lipid metabolism, and employed multiple genetic manipulation technologies. His research led to publications in high-impact journals and international presentations.

Professional Career

Tom joined Mewburn Ellis in 2018 and qualified as both a UK Chartered Patent Attorney and a European Patent Attorney in 2022. He completed the Intellectual Property Litigation Certificate in 2023, and is authorised to represent clients at the Unified Patent Court (UPC).

Prior to joining Mewburn Ellis, Tom worked in university technology transfer. This gave him an early grounding in IP, and helped him understand what universities, startups, and spinouts need from their IP counsel.

Memberships and Affiliations

Tom is a member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) and the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (epi).