Bal Matharu

Bal is an experienced patent attorney and has worked within the pharmaceutical field for over 20 years. He has a strong technical background and has held senior roles within both the R&D and IP functions of global pharmaceutical and drug delivery companies. During his career he has built and defended patent portfolios protecting products at all stages of development, including a range of high-profile on-market medicines.

Bal has a first degree in Pharmacy and a PhD in drug delivery and started his career with AstraZeneca as a senior product development scientist. During his time in this role, he led several technical programs to develop and repurpose drug candidates and is an inventor on patents protecting one of AZ’s oncology medicines. In 2006, Bal transitioned into the IP department of AZ and progressed to the role of senior patent attorney. He has managed global patent portfolios protecting key products and he has also led IP due diligence activities for licensing and late-stage acquisitions. During his last 3 years at AZ, Bal was seconded into the litigation group to defend patents protecting a CNS product in multiple jurisdictions across Europe, South America and Asia.

Bal has developed an in-depth knowledge of the strategic aspects of multi-jurisdictional pharmaceutical patent litigation and also regularly acts as lead counsel in European patent opposition and appeal proceedings. Since joining HGF, Bal has used his patent expertise and understanding of drug discovery and development to help clients focus their IP activities and achieve their commercial objectives.