Russell Thom

Dr Russell Thom specialises in the field of biotechnology, with a focus on peptide-based therapies, nucleic acid-based therapeutics, diagnostic assays and medical devices.

He works closely and collaboratively with universities, biotechnology companies and large corporates, providing advice across all aspects of the patent process. This includes assessing initial ideas through to delivering a suitable patent strategy, optimised to achieve key business and commercial goals.

Russell’s scientific background includes a degree in medical biochemistry from the University of Glasgow and a PhD in the determination of protein structure, specifically relating to glutathione-S-transferases, to enhance herbicide selectivity.

Extensively involved with initiatives to raise IP awareness within organisations, Russell routinely provides seminars, workshops and IP surgeries to help educate academics and R&D staff on IP strategy. Having completed the Master of Intellectual Property Law and Management (MIPLM) CEIPI course, Russell also specialises in developing policies that cover all aspects of IP management, from the initial capture and review of inventions to management processes for large IP portfolios. His Master’s thesis focused on IP risk management in digital business model creation.

Russell joined Murgitroyd in 2000. He was appointed Director of Patents in 2008. He led our life sciences and chemistry team for many years before taking charge of our UK patent group when he was appointed Managing Director, Patents in 2003.