Monika Rai

Monika is a life sciences specialist with a track record of achieving successful outcomes for clients in challenging cases. She has particular expertise in contentious proceedings at the European Patent Office, often involving multiple parties, and in advising on strategically significant patent portfolios. She regularly provides freedom to operate and validity opinions and has also coordinated and advised on major IP due diligence projects. Her dual qualification as a Patent Attorney and Solicitor has led to involvement in multi-forum and multi-jurisdictional patent litigation in the life sciences sector and she is well placed to represent clients in this sector before the new Unified Patent Court (UPC).

With a background that is legal as well as scientific, and by combining a strategic approach with attention to detail, Monika has built a reputation for her advocacy in EPO examination and opposition proceedings. She has represented some of the world's most innovative organisations in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector in technical areas including cancer immunotherapy, microbiome therapeutics, gene therapy, therapeutic nucleotides and peptides, personalised medicine using AI and machine learning, antibody discovery and diagnostics. She also advises clients harnessing the power of biotechnology and microbiology in the agriculture, food and cosmetics sector.

Monika’s professional experience of over two decades includes private practice experience in the UK and India as well as in-house experience supporting the biologicals and biopharma teams at a global healthcare company. She is also well placed to advise clients on the Unified Patent Court (UPC).