2. ENSafrica’s Intellectual Property expertise in the
chemistry, pharmaceutical, food sciences and
biotechnology sectors
ENSafrica’s market-leading IP department houses a
dedicated team focused on the chemistry, the food
sciences, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
sectors. We understand these sectors and our
clients’ need for an IP focussed strategy.
3. ENSafrica’s Intellectual Property expertise in the
chemistry, pharmaceutical, food sciences and
biotechnology sectors
ENSafrica’s market-leading IP department houses a
dedicated team focused on the chemistry, the food
sciences, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
sectors. We understand these sectors and our
clients’ need for an IP focussed strategy.
4. why choose us
Leaders in the pharmaceuticals and biotech sector – In addition to IP and legal skills, many of our
practitioners have scientific backgrounds with particular technical expertise in life sciences and
biotechnology (specifically molecular biology, genetics, medical microbiology and biochemistry); pure
and applied chemistry and chemical engineering.
A one-stop-shop solution – The interplay of IP skills with the broader, market-leading practices in ENS in
banking, corporate and commercial, competition, litigation, regulatory, tax and transfer pricing allows
ENS to advise on the full range of IP and legal issues that a company operating in the chemicals,
pharmaceuticals, food sciences or biotechnology sector would normally encounter.
Regional and international expertise – Our team has considerable international experience having
advised clients in Africa, Europe, the United States and Asia. Our transactional and regulatory
experience, together with our understanding of the African continent and extensive local know-how,
means that we are in a unique position to help clients successfully overcome the challenges and risks
associated with doing business in this sector.
IP services across the African continent – ENS has established and longstanding “in-country” expertise,
relationships and experience in IP throughout Africa, allowing us to add value to your multi-jurisdictional
operations. ENS is the largest law firm in Africa and its regional offices provide the reach and local
presence necessary to deliver high quality advice in an integrated, cost-effective manner.
5. commercial intellectual property
• complex commercial transactions involving
IP assets
• licence agreements
• joint ventures and strategic alliances
• research and cooperative development
arrangements
• due diligence investigations and reports
• commercialisation and exploitation of IP
• IP valuations
• R&D, tax and transfer pricing issues
• protection, enforcement and transfer of
confidential information, trade secrets and
know-how
• strategic portfolio management and
optimisation
• technology transfer (agreements and
advice)
patents and plant breeders’ rights
• patentability advice
• drafting and filing patent applications
• local and international prosecution of
patent applications
• filing plant breeders’ rights applications
• prior art searches and advice
• validity and infringement opinions and
advice
• freedom to operate reviews
• patent and technology landscaping
• IP portfolio audits
• IP portfolio management
what we offer
6. regulatory, biodiversity and traditional knowledge
• clinical trials and research protocols
• opinions and advice regarding healthcare and
drug development related legislation,
regulations and guidelines
• bio-prospecting legislation, permit applications
and related agreements for material transfer
and benefit sharing
• Genetically Modified Organisms legislation
• labelling and advertising of foodstuffs,
agricultural and pharmaceutical products
• South African Intellectual Property from Publicly
Financed Research & Development Act
• South African Technology Innovation Agency
Act
venture capital
• advising start-up companies seeking funding
• advising venture capital funds, angels and
consortiums making investments
litigation
• patent, trade mark and copyright litigation
• anti-counterfeiting
• strategies for patent enforcement campaigns
• competition law and antitrust issues related
to patent enforcement
• domain name disputes
brand protection and maintenance
• branding and brand selection
• trade mark registrability and availability
searches
• filing and prosecution of trade mark
applications
• portfolio audits, management and
optimisation
• portfolio administration and maintenance,
including recordals, assignments and
renewals
what we offer (continued)
7. recent awards and ratings
“Handles the full range of IP mandates,
including strength in transactional matters.
Advises a number of multinational companies
on complex trade mark and prosecution
matters.”
Chambers Global Guide 2016 (South Africa:
Intellectual Property)
“ “ ENSAfrica has shown strong commitment to
IP, which has enabled it to compete with the IP
boutiques and top full-service law firms.
The Legal 500 EMEA 2016 (Intellectual
Property: South Africa)
“ “
The team is highly competent and extremely
professional, with just the right degree of
personal touch. It is comforting to know that
when the going gets tough, these individuals
will come to your aid at the shortest possible
notice.
Chambers Global Guide 2016 (South Africa:
Intellectual Property) (client quote)
“ “ Every engagement with this firm on any IP
issue has been an absolute pleasure. The
service is of a very high standard.
Chambers Global Guide 2016 (South Africa:
Intellectual Property) (client quote)
“ “
8. department : area of expertise brief profile contact details
Rowan Forster,
head of
chem/pharma
patent attorney
IP: chemistry, chemical processing and
pharmaceuticals
Rowan is a registered patent attorney with a
background in chemistry and applied chemistry and
having 20 years’ experience. He has represented
various clients in, amongst others, the food,
agrochemical and pharmaceutical industries in various
IP related matters.
Qualifications: BSc (Hons), B Proc
+27 (0)31 536 8652
+27 (0)83 440 3170
rforster@ensafrica.com
Dr Joanne van
Harmelen,
head of biotech
patent attorney
IP: biochemistry and biotechnology, patent
prosecution and advisory work, associated
regulatory work in the field of biotechnology
Jo is a registered patent attorney with 9 years’
experience in the field of intellectual property, prior to
which she was a researcher in the field of virology,
infectious diseases and molecular medicine. She is a
specialist in the field of biochemistry and biotechnology
work and is widely recognised as a leader in this field in
South Africa.
Qualifications: B.Sc(Hons), Ph D, LLB
+27 (0)21 410 2624
+27 (0)82 770 5396
jvanharmelen@ensafrica.c
om
key contacts
Waldo Steyn,
head of ip
commercial
IP: commercial transactions, intellectual
property management and strategic advice,
venture capital and intellectual property
valuations
Waldo is a director at ENSafrica in the IP department
with 15 years’ experience in IP related matters
throughout Africa and the Middle East and has
considerable experience in providing clients with
strategic advice on brand development, protection,
maintenance and enforcement, ensuring a consistent
approach in multi-jurisdictional enforcement of their
rights. He also advises clients on anti-counterfeiting
strategies in Africa.
Qualifications: BA Law, LLB, LLM, MBA
+27 (0)21 410 2675
+27 (0)82 380 4520
cbull@ensafrica.com
