Supporting innovation from lab to market across the Asia-Pacific
Why intellectual property matters
Life sciences and biotechnology companies operate in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment where protecting innovation is critical. Whether you’re developing new therapeutics, diagnostics, agricultural solutions, or industrial biotech applications, securing your IP early and strategically can:
safeguard proprietary technologies and data
attract investment and commercial partnerships
enable global expansion and licensing opportunities
mitigate competitive risks and regulatory challenges.
Regional expertise, global perspective
Spruson & Ferguson has a long-established practice assisting clients in the biotech, pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors across the Asia-Pacific. We have local teams in key jurisdictions including Australia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia.
For clients facing disputes or litigation in Australia, or looking to commercialise their innovations, our litigation and commercialisation teams at Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers are highly specialised and experienced in guiding and assisting organisations through all of these aspects.
Your key relationship manager will act as a partner to your team, and our integrated approach to innovation protection across these life sciences sectors ensures:
seamless multi-jurisdictional filings and prosecution
strategic advice tailored to regional regulatory frameworks
efficient coordination across borders for complex portfolios.
Who we work with
We provide tailored services to life sciences and biotech innovators at every stage of growth, such as:
Established national and multinational biotech and pharmaceutical firms – Portfolio management, patent prosecution and enforcement services including running litigation, licensing and commercialisation support
Universities & research institutes – Commercialisation support, patent drafting and prosecution services
Investors & corporate counsel – Due diligence and risk assessment advice, IP audits
Our Life Sciences and Biotech capabilities
We understand the science and can translate this knowledge into robust and commercially valuable IP.
Our expert team includes patent attorneys and technical specialists with advanced degrees including in:
pharmaceuticals, biologics, and medical diagnostics.
In Australia, our patent and trade mark attorneys work alongside commercialisation experts and the highly experienced specialist litigators in our law firm, Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers. These lawyers have successfully represented clients in some of Australia’s largest pharmaceutical litigation matters. For more information, head to our Intellectual Property Law page.
Services overview
Among our IP services for life sciences, pharmaceutical and biotech clients, are patent term extensions – particularly in Australia. Find out more about how we help clients to protect and leverage their IP below.
Pharmaceutical patent term extensions (PTEs) provide innovators with additional years of patent life to offset time lost in developing and obtaining regulatory approval for new pharmaceutical substances.
Four key jurisdictions across APAC provide the ability to extend patent life by up to five years.
Each jurisdiction has their own legal requirements regarding eligibility, so for further detail, please reach out to one of our experts operating in the region of your interest.
Australia – Over the last 10 years, our experts have successfully secured over 200 PTEs for our clients – almost double that of any other IP firm in Australia. We are well versed in the requirements and keen to assist you as well.
China
Singapore
Taiwan
Why clients choose us
While we let our results speak for themselves, clients consistently value:
sector-specific insight – we speak their language fluently
regional depth – local knowledge across the Asia Pacific, with global insights
commercial focus – IP strategies aligned with business goals
collaborative approach – we work as an extension of your team.
Let’s talk
Whether you’re protecting a breakthrough or scaling globally, Spruson & Ferguson is ready to support your journey.
Our latest sector articles are below for your interest. Reach out to discuss how we can tailor our services to your needs.
Mike joined Spruson & Ferguson in October 2020 after 16 years of experience in another leading Australian IP firm.Mike is a registered patent attorney specialising in the chemical sciences….
Mike joined Spruson & Ferguson in October 2020 after 16 years of experience in another leading Australian IP firm.Mike…
Katrina is counted amongst Australia’s top IP litigation lawyers, with 25 years’ experience of obtaining successful outcomes for clients.Dual qualified as a lawyer and patent attorney, patent litigation is…
Katrina is counted amongst Australia’s top IP litigation lawyers, with 25 years’ experience of obtaining successful outcomes for clients.Dual…
Maik Brinkmann is the Life Science Practice Group Leader in Asia and his practice primarily involves the drafting and prosecution of patent applications, advice in relation to patent validity…
Maik Brinkmann is the Life Science Practice Group Leader in Asia and his practice primarily involves the drafting and…
Elizabeth joined Spruson & Ferguson’s Chemical/Life Sciences group in 2008, where she specialises in the field of pharmaceuticals.Elizabeth assists numerous local and international clients, particularly pharmaceutical companies, in various…
Elizabeth joined Spruson & Ferguson’s Chemical/Life Sciences group in 2008, where she specialises in the field of pharmaceuticals.Elizabeth assists…
Michael is a leading Australian patent attorney recognized for his legal acumen and his technical expertise in biotechnology, and is a member of our life sciences team.Michael’s patent expertise…
Michael is a leading Australian patent attorney recognized for his legal acumen and his technical expertise in biotechnology, and…
Ee Lin holds a Bachelor of Technology degree with First Class Honours in Biotechnology from the University of Auckland, where, during the course of her studies, she was engaged…
Ee Lin holds a Bachelor of Technology degree with First Class Honours in Biotechnology from the University of Auckland,…
Duncan is a specialist intellectual property lawyer. He has extensive IP litigation expertise with 18 years’ experience.Duncan’s practice focuses on patent disputes, including in the mining/energy, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical…
Duncan is a specialist intellectual property lawyer. He has extensive IP litigation expertise with 18 years’ experience.Duncan’s practice focuses…
Andrew is a specialist in intellectual property disputes. His practice focuses on the life sciences.Andrew has particular expertise in handling complex patent disputes for global leaders in the pharmaceuticals,…
Andrew is a specialist in intellectual property disputes. His practice focuses on the life sciences.Andrew has particular expertise in…
Daniel Sieveking holds a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in medical microbiology and immunology from the University of New South Wales. Daniel’s doctoral studies were undertaken at…
Daniel Sieveking holds a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in medical microbiology and immunology from the University…
Prior to joining Spruson & Ferguson (Asia), Natsuho worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, USA where she was involved with a project on cobalt…
Prior to joining Spruson & Ferguson (Asia), Natsuho worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois,…
Catherine Winbanks is a Principal in our Melbourne biotechnology team.Catherine specialises in patent matters for the biotechnology, agricultural and life sciences sectors. She practices in prosecuting and overseeing patent…
Catherine Winbanks is a Principal in our Melbourne biotechnology team.Catherine specialises in patent matters for the biotechnology, agricultural and…
Marking a milestone in China’s drug regulatory landscape, the 2026 Revisions of China’s Drug Administration Law introduce data exclusivity and market exclusivity into the regulatory framework, establishing a multi‑dimensional…
Marking a milestone in China’s drug regulatory landscape, the 2026 Revisions of China’s Drug Administration Law introduce data exclusivity…
Today, the High Court of Australia – Australia’s highest appellate court – granted special leave to appeal the Full Federal Court’s decision in Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd v Sun…
Today, the High Court of Australia – Australia’s highest appellate court – granted special leave to appeal the Full…
Is it becoming easier to obtain interlocutory injunctions in Australian pharmaceutical patent cases? We provide an overview of recent decisions in Australia’s Federal Court that shine a light on some key lessons for patent owners. Overview In…
Is it becoming easier to obtain interlocutory injunctions in Australian pharmaceutical patent cases? We provide an overview of recent decisions in Australia’s Federal Court that…
In Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd v Sun Pharma ANZ Pty Ltd FCAFC 161 (Otsuka v Sun Pharma), the Full Federal Court of Australia decided that Otsuka’s patent to…
In Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd v Sun Pharma ANZ Pty Ltd FCAFC 161 (Otsuka v Sun Pharma), the…
