Watson, Robert

Robert Watson is a partner at the leading European IP firm, Mewburn Ellis LLP.  He has over 25 years advising on patent work with particular experience in the pharmaceutical and industrial chemistry sectors. His extensive experience in the pharmaceutical sector focuses on working with clients engaged in drug discovery and development.  He has advised on the protection of numerous drugs from initial discovery, many of which are in clinical trials, and two of which is approved in many jurisdictions, and on strategies to further protect these commercial drugs across the globe.  He also advises on design protection.

Robert is President of FICPI’s Work and Study Commission (CET). He was previously Vice-President of the CET for 7 years, chair of the International Designs study group for 6 years, and was president of FICPI-UK (the UK national group of FICPI) from 2011 to 2015. He has represented FICPI on working meetings at the UKIPO, EPO, EUIPO and WIPO, as well as meeting with offices and law makers globally.

Robert is recognised in IAM Patent 1000, Managing IP, Who’s Who Legal and Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyers. He is described as “a chemistry and materials maven, the depth of whose analysis never fails to amaze”, his “first-rate global portfolio management work has won him admirers on all continents.”  What makes him stand-out is “his technical expertise, the quality of his advice, and successful representation in European opposition proceedings.”  Robert “balances a wealth of prosecution and oppositions work in the pharmaceutical and industrial chemistry sectors with a thriving designs practice” - IAM Patent 1000, 2021