Mr Mrs Miss Ms Dr Other

Mr
Thomas
Compton

Senior Patent Attorney

York Office

Chemistry

Telephone. +441904732131
Email. tcompton@hgf.com
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Experience

Tom studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, specialising in organic, medicinal, and biological chemistry. He graduated with a First Class MSci degree and was awarded a college scholarship and the Horne Prize for Physical Sciences during his studies. His master’s project focused on the synthesis of new antibiotics using fragment-based drug discovery.

Tom joined a leading private practice firm in London in 2019, where he qualified as a European and UK patent attorney. He also obtained the European Patent Litigation Certificate, qualifying him to act as a representative before the Unified Patent Court (UPC).

He has extensive experience advising a broad range of clients, from university spin-outs to global pharmaceutical organisations. His practice encompasses drafting and prosecuting patent applications, developing grant strategies for complex cases, supporting due diligence projects that have contributed to successful acquisitions, and defending key patents protecting marketed drugs in opposition proceedings. Tom has represented clients in opposition and appeal proceedings before the European Patent Office, including acting as sole advocate at oral proceedings and participating in complex multi-party oppositions.

Tom joined HGF's York office in September 2026 and continues to advise clients across all areas of chemistry, with a particular focus on pharmaceuticals. His work spans the full patent lifecycle, from drafting and prosecution through to opposition and appeal proceedings before the European Patent Office.

Specialisms

Industries

Services

Qualifications

Patent Attorney

Chartered (UK)
Europe

MSCI

MSci in Natural Sciences (specialising in Chemistry)

Publications

EPO v UPC: How the EPO’s and UPC’s approaches to validity give us food for thought when drafting and prosecuting patent applications destined for Europe (Part 3)

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EPO v UPC: How the EPO’s and UPC’s approaches to validity give us food for thought when drafting and prosecuting patent applications destined for Europe (Part 2)

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EPO v UPC: How the EPO’s and UPC’s approaches to validity give us food for thought when drafting and prosecuting patent applications destined for Europe (Part 1)

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Can foreign manufacturers escape the long arm of the UPC’s jurisdiction?

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