Simon O'Brien

Partner / London

swo@dyoung.co.uk

Practice & Professional Experience

Simon joined D Young & Co in 2001 and became a partner in 2010. His area of expertise encompasses both biological and chemical subject matter including the fields of molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, plant physiology diagnostics and pharmaceuticals. Simon represents a number of clients ranging from academic institutions to multinational corporations.

Simon advises on all aspects of patent law including patent drafting and prosecution, opposition and appeal proceedings. In particular, he handles the world wide vaccine patent portfolio for a major pharmaceutical company. He has additionally advised clients completing IP due diligence for stock market flotations. 

Prior to joining D Young & Co, Simon was a Pharmaceutical Research Analyst for Datamonitor plc. 

Simon is highlighted by Legal 500 2011 (which ranks D Young & Co as  a top tier patent firm: "On the life sciences side, Catherine Mallalieu and Simon O'Brien are ‘very reliable and have excellent legal and scientific backgrounds’".

Qualifications

MA in Natural Sciences, Churchill College, University of Cambridge; majored in chemistry.
PhD in Biological Chemistry and Genetics, Cambridge University. Research into mode of action and biosynthesis of vancomycin group antibiotics. Research funded by Eli Lilly.
Certificate in Intellectual Property Law, Queen Mary College, University of London.
European Patent Attorney 2007.
Chartered Patent Attorney 2006.

Memberships

Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA).
European Patent Institute (epi).

Selected Publications

Contributor to CIPA’s European Patents Handbook.
Kinetic barriers and ordering of non-covalently bound states. O’Brien, S. W.; Shiozawa, H.; Zerella, R.; O’Brien, D. P.; Williams, D. H.; Org.
Biomol. Chem. 2003 Feb 7;1(3):472-7.