Intellectual property firm Secerna is thrilled to announce that European Patent Attorneys, George McCanney and John Harbottle, have successfully passed the Patent Examination Board (PEB) qualifying examinations and are now fully qualified Chartered Patent Attorneys.
The PEB exams are widely regarded as some of the most rigorous professional qualifications in the legal sector, requiring a profound understanding of intellectual property law and a high level of technical expertise. By completing this final stage, George and John have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their craft and to the protection of our clients’ innovations.
Charlotte Watkins, Secerna Partner, said:
“We are delighted to celebrate George and John’s success in passing the PEB qualifying exams. Navigating the path to becoming a dual-qualified European and UK Patent Attorney is a significant challenge that requires both technical expertise and legal precision. Their achievement reflects not only their personal dedication but also Secerna’s commitment to professional excellence and continuous development. Their expertise will be invaluable as we continue to support our clients in protecting their most vital innovations.”
George McCanney joined Secerna as a Trainee Patent Attorney in October 2019. Before entering the patent profession, George graduated from the University of Liverpool with a first-class degree in Biochemistry, followed by a PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Glasgow. George’s doctoral project involved using in vitro models to study the potential use of glycomolecules as novel therapeutics for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
John Harbottle joined Secerna as a Trainee Patent Attorney in March 2020. Before entering the patent profession, John graduated from the University of Leeds with a First-Class Honours degree in Pharmacology. He subsequently attained a Master’s degree in Drug Chemistry with Distinction from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, followed by a PhD in Molecular Biology. During his PhD, John identified and investigated novel molecular mechanisms of antimicrobials targeting nucleic acid polymerases.