HLK’s FemTech team is comprised of a dedicated group of experienced IP professionals who have a specific interest in innovation for women, and are keen to play a part in addressing the disparity in resources and innovation directed to the advancement of women’s health. Our team’s experience spans a wide range of contentious and non-contentious IP matters, and we advise and assist clients with IP strategy, the securing, managing and enforcing of patent, trademark and design portfolios, domain names and other IP matters. From medical devices to pharmaceuticals, and from life sciences to software and AI, we help to protect and bring to market technology that serves the health and wellbeing of women.

Meet the team

Below are the key members of the FemTech team.

Gemma Robin

Gemma Robin

UK and European Patent Attorney | UPC Representative

Gemma is a partner in our Tech team with particular experience in Software and Artificial Intelligence, handling a wide range of complex AI subject matter with a particular focus on explainability, safety, and verification of AI models. Gemma is particularly passionate about supporting companies that are using AI in the service of women and women’s health, including fertility treatment, drug discovery, health and wellbeing apps, and AI assisted medical research. Gemma enjoys building excellent working relationships with in-house counsel, engineers and researchers, pursuing a collaborative approach to securing high quality, commercially valuable protection for innovations at the forefront of medical and AI development.

Jo Deas

Joanna Deas

UK and European Patent Attorney | UPC Representative

Joanna is a Partner in our Chemistry and Life Sciences team, who also has many years of experience working with medical devices, and in particular medical devices specifically designed for women. As an example, Joanna has experience working with a Healthcare company who specialises in working with fertility-related inventions which provide women with highly accurate and easy to use in Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) products for use in the comfort of their own home. Joanna is also a member of the LSX female founders network, which is an online community of strong, independent, and ambitious women from health and life science companies, investor companies and experienced life science professionals.

Soni Basra

Sandeep Basra

German and European Patent Attorney | UPC Representative

Soni is a German and European patent attorney and partner in our chemistry and life sciences team. Her practice focusses on the pharmaceutical industry, where she works with both small and large clients and supports their needs through the whole lifespan of IP. Soni is also an outspoken advocate of women’s rights and the rights of minority groups, and is a founding member of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion group.

Isobel Finnie

Isobel Finnie

UK and European Patent Attorney | UPC Representative

Isobel is passionate about improving women’s health and wellness and has experience of working on female specific innovation from wellness during menopause, to diagnostics sampling bacterial flora from the vagina, to sophisticated antibody constructs to improve breast cancer treatment.

She is a Partner in our Chemistry and Life Sciences team, who has over 20 years’ experience assisting innovative biotech, life sciences and healthcare companies to understand how IP can work for them. Clients’ value her clear and pragmatic advice on patents along their journey to securing a commercially advantageous position.

Sanjeet Plaha

Sanjeet Plaha

Solicitor (England and Wales)

Sanjeet is a Senior Associate in the Trade Mark and Litigation Teams at HLK. She has 15 years’ experience in advising clients across the IPR Lifespan, from patent litigation to the prosecution and management of worldwide trade mark and design portfolios. Her clients come from a range of industries including retail, software, sports and fashion. Her practice also includes non-contentious work, such as the preparation of NDAs, licences, assignments and co-existence agreements. She is a member of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Group and has experience in championing the rights and voices of minority groups, including women, through previous involvement in Independent Advisory Groups.

Other cross disciplinary teams