Mr Mrs Miss Ms Dr Other

Miss
Janet
Knowles

Consultant

Manchester Office

Law

Telephone. +44(0) 161 247 4900
Mobile. +44(0) 783 155 4120
Email. jknowles@hgf-law.com
Vcard
Linkedin

Experience

Janet brings a pragmatic, strategic approach to dealing with transactions - predominantly in the science and technology area, but also in relation to branding and designs. Science and technology agreements cover early R&D phases to IP licensing and software agreements - much is international in nature. Janet has a life sciences focus but has also worked on a variety of deals in the automotive and energy sectors and many graphene projects.

Janet has dealt with a variety of life science clients from start-ups to IPO and beyond for over 20 years and negotiated deals with most of the major pharma companies. She deals with IP agreements (covering MTAs, MSAs, R&D and clinical trials) and life sciences product life cycle transactions, such as commercial manufacturing and supply and CDx transactions.

Janet has over 35 years' experience of IP in educational institutions in particular relation to IP policies, R&D collaborations, licensing and spin-out companies. She has presented for PraxisAuril and ASTP-Proton in relation to Research Contracts and IP Licensing. She has also prepared Researchers' Guides on IP topics. Chambers UK has said she is ‘highly regarded for her expertise in advising educational institutions and clients in the life sciences sector on IP matters'.

Over her career Janet has dealt with many complex branding, merchandising and franchising agreements.

Specialisms

Industries

Services

Qualifications

Solicitor

England & Wales
Ireland

MBA

The Open University 2000

LLB

LLB(Hons) University of Manchester 1980

LPC

Law Society Finals 1981

OTHER

RTTP (Registered Technology Transfer Professional)

Recognition

Intellectual Asset Managment 1000 - Guide to the World's Patent Practitioners 2024 - Recommended

"Her smooth negotiation skills, big-picture thinking and international outlook mean she has penned an abundance of successful deals."

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Managing Intellectual Property IP Star 2024 - Transactions

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Chambers and Partners

"You get clarity with Janet. She's straight down the line and unambiguous in her direction." "Very knowledgeable, efficient and diligent." "Janet is very good as a communicator and at walking the client through the options." "We hire Janet Knowles because of her legal knowledge on IP; she is genuinely world-class. I have no hesitation in bringing Janet in when I have a legal issue requiring expertise - I wouldn't go anywhere else."

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Legal 500

"Janet Knowles is very skilled but pragmatic and is a very pleasant and professional person". "Janet Knowles is my go-to lawyer on any matters associated with IP, and licensing/ collaboration".

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Publications

HGF receives exceptional results in IAM Patent 1000 rankings 2025

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HGF ranked as a top tier firm in Legal 500 UK 2025

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HGF ranked band 1 in Chambers and Partners UK 2025

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IAM Patent 1000 2024

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Managing Intellectual Property firm rankings - IP Stars 2024

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Mondaq awards HGF for thought leadership in Germany

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HGF is ranked as a top tier firm in Legal 500 UK 2024

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Leader's League Rankings 2023

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IP Stars 2023

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IAM Patent 1000 2022

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How do you intend your software/app to be used?

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Brexit - plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose or angst?

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HGF continues to be highly ranked in Chambers and Partners UK 2021 guide

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IAM Patent 1000 2020

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COVID-19 licensing challenges

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MIP IP Stars 2020

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Knowledge to Money – IP Valuation

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HGF continue to be highly ranked in The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2020 rankings

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IAM Patent 1000 2019

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Knowledge to Money - IP Valuation

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Conferences: 2023

11-12-2023

MBL - Drafting & Negotiating Patent Licences - The Key Issues

Speaker

Event details

29-06-2023

MBL - Drafting & Negotiating Patent Licences - The Key Issues

Speaker

Event details

27-06-2023

MBL - Negotiating & Managing R&D Collaboration Agreements

Speaker

Event details

Conferences: 2022

22nd September 2022

BioCap Conference 2022

Attended

Event details

06-06-2022

2022 PraxisAuril Conference

Attended

Event details

Conferences: 2021

21-04-2021

2021 BioInfect Conference

Attended

Event details

28-01-2021

HGF’s IP in Healthcare Conference - Licence to Bill

Speaker

Event details

14th January 2021

HGF IP in Healthcare Virtual Conference 2021

Speaker

Event details

Conferences: 2020

4th November 2020

Bionow Oncology Conference 2020

Attended

Event details

27-10-2020

Safeguarding Intellectual Property to Achieve Business Success

Speaker

Event details

27th October 2020

Lancashire Innovation Festival 2020

Speaker

Event details

08-09-2020

Unique Perspectives on IP Valuation Best Practice – From Universities, to Public Institutions and Private Companies

Speaker

Event details

3rd March 2020

IP in Healthcare Conference 2020

Speaker

Event details

Conferences: 2019

14th March 2019

IP in Healthcare Conference 2019 - London & Manchester

Speaker

Event details

CSR

Pharmaceutical Licensing Group – Pharmaceutical Business Development and Licensing Course – updated IP course materials, tutor on the IP Unit.

Medilink NW Steering Group – member

Licensing Executives Society – member.

Related News

IAM Patent 1000 2023

IAM Patent 1000 the world’s leading patent professionals 2023 guide has now been published and we are delighted to have 31 attorneys recognised as world-class individuals in the guide. The …

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Event - 22nd September 2022

BioCap Conference 2022

HGF is a gold sponsor at the BioCap Conference 2022. The conference will be held on Thursday 22 September at the Alderley Park Conference Centre. It connects life sciences businesses, …

Event details
Event - 6th - 8th June 2022

PraxisAuril Conference 2022

PraxisAuril Conference 2022 is being held in Brighton from 6th – 8th June 2022. This conference has an overarching theme of ‘KE is a People Business’ because we know that …

Event details

HGF continues to be highly ranked in Chambers and Partners 2022 guide

HGF is proud to be ranked in Band 1 for Yorkshire, North West and National Leaders (outside London). The firm is also ranked Band 2 for UK-wide Patent and Trade …

Read article
Event - 14th January 2021

HGF IP in Healthcare Virtual Conference 2021

In 2021, HGF’s IP in Healthcare Conference will be delivered virtually through a series of webinars across January, February and March. The webinars will review the latest IP and related …

Event details
Event - 4th November 2020

Bionow Oncology Conference 2020

The prevention of cancer and development of more effective strategies to detect precursors and early-stage cancers, when treatment may be most effective, remain critical societal goals. The 2020 Bionow Oncology Conference …

Event details
Event - 27th October 2020

Lancashire Innovation Festival 2020

HGF Partners Janet Knowles and Dr Chris Benson will join ‘Safeguarding Intellectual Property to Achieve Business Success’ online event at the Lancashire Innovation Festival 2020. Safeguarding Intellectual Property to Achieve Business Success 27th October …

Event details
Event - 3rd March 2020

IP in Healthcare Conference 2020

March 2020 in London and Manchester. HGF’s sixth annual Healthcare Conference reviews the latest intellectual property issues in the pharmaceuticals, life sciences and medical devices sectors. Update It is with …

Event details
See all updates

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