Mr Mrs Miss Ms Dr Other

Mr
Craig
Thomson

Partner & Patent Attorney

Glasgow Office Aberdeen Office Westport Office Dublin Office

Life sciences

Telephone. +44(0) 141 229 5800
Mobile. +44(0) 7889088054
Email. [email protected]
UPC Representative
Our team of specialist European patent litigators, oppositions specialists and patent attorneys bring together an extensive depth of legal and technical knowledge and are qualified to represent you in the UPC.

Experience

Craig is recognised for providing pragmatic, commercially focused advice to clients in the biotechnological, pharmaceutical, chemical and MedTech sectors. As well as patent drafting and prosecution, Craig advises on the development of company-wide IP strategies, funding/acquisition due-diligence, and aggressive/defensive strategies in relation to third-party IP.

Having worked closely with multi-national corporations, Craig understands the challenges associated with efficiently prosecuting large multi-national patent portfolios, whilst keeping them relevant to the business. He values this experience as it helps him to provide expert guidance to SMEs as they grow or prepare for acquisition.
Whilst part of Craig’s focus is ensuring that technical aspects of each invention is accurately captured in a patent, he understands that the value of IP can only be fully realised after understanding the commercial goals of a business, and how IP can best be exploited to help underpin those goals. It is therefore important for him to understand more generally his client’s business; enabling him to provide them with a more broad-ranging, effective and valuable set of solutions. Industry sectors for which Craig has considerable knowledge of include those concerned with the microbiome, food, formulations, anti-infectives, diagnostics and MedTech.

Craig has a proven track record of providing successful outcomes for clients, both in a wide-range of legal proceedings (including opposition, entitlement, and USPTO interviews) and in successful IP-license/assignment deals involving patents that he both drafted and prosecuted to grant. He has co-written an amicus curiae (filed with the US Supreme Court for Sequenom v Ariosa), and has assisted many clients to successfully obtain investment, including listing on AIM.

Qualifications

Patent Attorney

Chartered (UK)
Europe
Ireland


BSC

Physiology and Pharmacology

MSC

Management of Intellectual Property

Recognition

IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals 2020

“Craig Thomson, who is well versed in all things biotechnological and pharmaceutical, particularly therapeutic and diagnostic inventions. He has a “phenomenal ability to quickly grasp the key concepts in an invention and tease out the most inventive aspects so as to file the strongest possible patents. He is always on hand to guide patent strategy and has incredible patience when explaining the intricacies of the prosecution process. He is also ridiculously good fun to work with!” “He takes a practical, business-oriented approach, focusing on what will drive value in the European market in a way that enables informed decision making. In view of technological convergence, his technical versatility is invaluable.””

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IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals 2019

“Taking the reins on this initiative is Craig Thomson, an experienced handler of biotech, pharmaceutical, chemical and medical innovations. Thomson is a seasoned prosecutor and serves up trenchant advice on IP strategy in connection with technology-driven deals and enforcement issues; the broad ambit of his practice has helped him develop a refined commercial sense.”

Publications

HGF client SymPhysis Medical secures €2.2M to develop palliative care solutions

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Ferring v Finch: Ripples from the Decision

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IAM Patent 1000 2024

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Managing Intellectual Property firm rankings - IP Stars 2024

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HGF & Shiga Webinar Recording: When "Please amend to fall into line with the granted claims in the US" might not work in Europe and Japan

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Leader's League Rankings 2023

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IP Stars 2023

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HGF continues to grow across Europe with office relocation and expansion in the Island of Ireland

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IAM Patent 1000 2022

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The Microbiome Times: ELIGO v SNIPR: a reflection on IP strategies in a competitive environment

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KTN Microbiome Strategic Roadmap

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IAM Patent 1000 2020

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The Vedanta Opposition: A healthy sign of a maturing industry

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IAM Patent 1000 2019

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The Vedanta Opposition: A healthy sign of a maturing industry

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Securing Commercial Advantage Through Innovations in Microbiome Therapeutic Production

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Validity Attack on US Patent for Bifidobacetrium ComboTherapy: What can we learn?

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LSIPR: Will Big Pharma Get The Bug For Microbiome Therapies?

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Conferences: 2024

4th - 5th September 2024

HGF are Platinum Sponsors of the Dublin IP and R&D Summit

Speaker

Event details

23rd - 24th April 2024

Microbiome & Probiotic R&D & Business Collaboration Forum: Europe

Speaker

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23rd - 24th March 2024

Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit 2024

Speaker

Event details

Conferences: 2023

20th - 21st September 2023

Medical Technology Ireland 2023

Speaker

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29th June 2023

Dublin IP and R&D Summit

Speaker

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13th, 22nd June 2023

The HGF IP in Healthcare Conference 2023

Speaker

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13th, 22nd June 2023

The UPC has opened its doors! See the latest updates and advice on the UPC here.

Speaker

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8th - 9th February 2023

5th Annual Microbiome & Probiotic Conference 2023

Speaker

Event details

Conferences: 2022

22nd October 2022

BIONABU Health Entrepreneurship and Innovation Summit 2022

Speaker

Event details

Conferences: 2021

26th October 2021

9th Microbiome R&D and Business Collaboration Forum: Europe

Speaker

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21st October 2021

Medical Technology Ireland Conference 2021

Speaker

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4th October 2021

IPBC Europe 2021

Speaker

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24-03-2021

Animal Microbiome Conference 2021

Speaker

3rd March 2021

Animal Microbiome Congress 2021

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27th January 2021

IAM webinar: Preparing for the IP due diligence checklist of the future for microbiome innovation

Speaker

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14th January 2021

HGF IP in Healthcare Virtual Conference 2021

Speaker

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Conferences: 2020

15th October 2020

4th Microbiome: Recent Developments, Regulatory, Quality and Commercialization Summit

Speaker

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15th October 2020

Microbiome Movement - Maternal & Infant Health Summit 2020

Speaker

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8th September 2020

Sustainable Protein Production and Animal Microbiome Virtual Summit 2020

Speaker

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1st September 2020

ONE Life Sciences Leadership Forum 6

Speaker

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8th July 2020

Webinar: Attracting big pharma to the Microbiome field

Speaker

Event details

24th April 2020

Translational Microbiome Conference 2020

Speaker

Event details

Conferences: 2019

26th September 2019

Medical Technology Ireland - Galway Racecourse

Speaker

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3rd June 2019

2019 BIO International Convention - Philadelphia

Attended

Event details

CSR

Craig provides the annual lecture, “Capturing, Protecting and Exploiting Intellectual Property in Business”, on the Masters Course for “Management of Innovation and Creativity” at Glasgow Caledonian University.

As IP lead, Craig is part of the Microbiome Innovation Network, part of the KTN, whos aims are to accelerate the commercialisation of microbiome-based products and services in the UK and create a vibrant community by connecting industry and academia. Craig also wrote the IP section for the Networks Roadmap document for the industry (https://ktn-uk.org/agrifood/microbiome/).

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Event - 8th, 22nd February 2024

Dresden & Salzburg Seminar: Patent applications and grants in Europe

HGF is pleased to invite you to our upcoming German-language seminar on “Patent applications and grants in Europe” in Salzburg and Dresden. The seminar provides participants with a comprehensive overview …

Event details
Event - 10th October 2024

Webinar: Patents and business activities in harmony

In today’s highly competitive world, patents are not only a legal tool but also a strategic instrument to strengthen your market position and maximise your business success. But how do …

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Event - 8th, 22nd February 2024

Dresden & Salzburg Seminar: Basics of trade mark protection - National and European perspectives

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Event details

EPO Annual Fee Increases

The European Patent Office (EPO) has announced that revised Official Fees will apply to payments made on or after Monday 1st April 2024. The majority of fees will increase by …

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Let's talk

If you would like to discuss how HGF could help you, contact one of our IP specialists.