Sequencing

& Bioanalytics

Genetic sequencing technology has been revolutionised over the last two decades, firstly with the development of ‘next generation sequencing’ and then with third generation sequencing. The former recombines genomic fragments that are sequenced in parallel and the latter has allowed read-lengths to increase while reducing the size of the sequencing machines.

These technologies have made whole genome or exome sequencing fast and relatively inexpensive (currently in the order of $1000 for a whole human genome). This opens vast opportunities in the field of healthcare and beyond, making personalised medicine therapies possible.

Mewburn Ellis has supported the industry throughout each phase of its development. We have helped our clients to protect modified polymerases with improved accuracy and nanopore based single molecule sequencing methods, to name but two examples.

We also have considerable experience of providing IP protection for core platforms in other bioanalytic techniques, as well as their innovative applications in research, agriculture and medicine. This includes drafting, portfolio building and contentious work for the leading companies in the development of nucleic acid amplification, microarray technologies, and microfluidic "lab-on-a-chip" devices. Many of our experienced patent attorneys have laboratory experience in this area and are supported by talented new recruits with up-to-date practical expertise.

Patent_Landscape_in_Bioinformatics_and_Digital_Health_Special_Report_2021-2-Compressed

Patent Landscape in Bioinformatics and Digital Health: a data-driven analysis

Special Report

The words "digital health", "data driven" and "AI" have been on everyone's lips and in many headlines in the healthcare and life sciences sectors over the last couple of years. However, navigating this rapidly changing landscape can be challenging for those in charge of managing the IP associated with the innovations underpinning these changes.  

In this Special Report, we set out to collect data on the patent landscape in the fields of bioinformatics and digital health, to see whether the growth we and our clients see in the field is reflected in the data and whether insights can be gained from the data that will assist in designing better, more informed IP strategies.

 

Read our blogs

We are a leading force in EPO oppositions

We are a leading force in EPO oppositions

by Alex Galbraith

When it comes to opposing or defending European patents, experience matters. A look at our track record across both offensive and defensive oppositions over the last 12 years highlights not only the ...

UPC Weekly - Three darts all miss – PI based on three patents refused due to validity concerns and insufficient proof of infringement

UPC Weekly - Three darts all miss – PI based on three patents refused due to validity concerns and insufficient proof of infringement

by Eliot Ward

2026 Week 5 For good or bad, it is now clear that inter partes preliminary injunction (PI) proceedings at the UPC end up being mini-trials of the substantive issues. In Guardant Health v. Sophia ...

Round up of recent EPO Board of Appeal decisions relating to antibodies

Round up of recent EPO Board of Appeal decisions relating to antibodies

by Joanna Cripps

We have carried out our annual review of EPO Board of Appeal decisions published up to the end of 2025 where the claimed subject matter relates to antibodies. We have selected those decisions that ...

Most opposed patents of 2025

Most opposed patents of 2025

by Katherine Green

Writing this year’s overview prompted déjà vu and a quick check of 2024’s most opposed patents confirmed that the same innovators feature at the top of the list: patents in the name of Novartis (for ...

UPC Weekly -  Limits on jurisdiction outside the UPC when invalidity looms

UPC Weekly -  Limits on jurisdiction outside the UPC when invalidity looms

by Matthew Naylor

2026 Week 4 The extent of the jurisdiction asserted by the UPC is a hot topic at the moment. On 22 January 2026, the UPC Court of Appeal (CoA) held the oral hearing in the appeal against the ...

UPC Weekly -  Purpose-based interpretation avoids infringement of medical device claim but defendant still on the hook for costs

UPC Weekly -  Purpose-based interpretation avoids infringement of medical device claim but defendant still on the hook for costs

by Matthew Naylor

2026 Week 3 Being sued for patent infringement at the UPC is a full-on experience. The front-loading of the procedure and the urgent time limits mean that far-reaching strategic decisions need to be ...

Forward Magazines Overlapping 8

Mewburn Ellis

FORWARD MAGAZINE

Mewburn Ellis Forward is a biannual publication that celebrates the best of innovation and exploration. Through its pages we hope to inform and entertain, but also to encourage discussion about the most compelling developments taking place in the scientific and entrepreneurial world. Along the way, we’ll engage with the IP challenges that international organisations face every day.