K&L Gates Adds Global Leader in Intellectual Property Law as Sydney Partner

Sydney - Global law firm K&L Gates has further bolstered its intellectual property capabilities with the appointment of Naomi Pearce as a partner in the firm’s Sydney office. A highly regarded patent and trademark lawyer with a background in molecular biology and more than 18 years of experience in the global pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries, Pearce is recognized as an industry leader in global patent strategies.

Pearce has built and led global IP teams for pharma companies, managing the full-breadth of legal and IP issues relating to the global development and sale of pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, and medical devices, including patent litigation and prosecution strategies, licensing/business development initiatives, and strategic positioning. She has developed and successfully executed pharma/biopharma legal strategies around the world, including managing patent litigation in Australia, Europe, Asia, the United States, and Canada. Among her recent achievements have been the development and execution of strategies supporting the successful and timely launch of the world’s first biosimilar monoclonal antibody product (mAb); two of the European Union’s first biosimilar products; and Australia’s first biosimilar product.

Pearce stated: “Recognizing the global nature of the pharma and biopharma industries, K&L Gates is committed to providing a seamless, global IP solution for local and multinational pharma/biopharma clients. I am thrilled to be able to draw from my local and international IP background to become a part of K&L Gates’ global IP solution.”

“Naomi’s global capabilities, in-house experience, and knowledge of the global pharma and biopharma industries will provide substantial benefit to K&L Gates clients across our global network,” commented Nick Nichola, K&L Gates’ Managing Partner, Australia. “We’re pleased to welcome Naomi to the partnership.”

Pearce’s arrival follows other recent additions to K&L Gates on both the regional and practice levels. Earlier this week, the firm announced Jeremy Prentice as a new corporate and transactional partner in its Brisbane office, while last month, the firm added leading IP litigators Jeff Randall and Brian Ankenbrandt in its Palo Alto office.