- European Trade Mark Attorney
- European Design Attorney
- Degree in Genetics and Mathematics, University of Manchester
- DPhil in Biotechnology, University of Oxford
- Certificate in Intellectual Property Litigation, Nottingham Trent University
Dean joined Franks & Co in 2002 having previously worked in the Intellectual Property department of the UK offices of a large multi-national law firm, where he worked primarily on trade mark filing and prosecution for blue chip clients.
Qualifications
European Trade Mark Attorney, European Design Attorney, Degree in Genetics and Mathematics, University of Manchester, DPhil in Biotechnology, University of Oxford, Certificate in Intellectual Property Litigation, Nottingham Trent University
Technical
Dean studied Genetics and Mathematics at the University of Manchester, and gained his doctorate in biotechnology from the University of Oxford. He is a member of several scientific societies and has acted as a consultant on a Royal Society study into the use of genetically modified animals.
Dean has pioneered a novel pest control system resulting in a series of scientific publications and patent applications. Dr Thomas served as a Director of OXITEC Limited, a company spun out of the University of Oxford with the aim of further developing and commercialising the project. Dean also serves in a non executive role in a number of other small to medium sized companies in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical fields, including Oxxen Therapeutics Limited, Spinox Limited, and EKB Technology Limited.
He has held short-term teaching and research positions at a number of academic institutions including associate professor (teaching) and research scientist, at the University of California, Berkeley Campus and a lectureship on entomology (pest biology) at the University of Sao Paulo.
Dean is the author of twelve scientific articles published in scientific journals and text book chapters.
Professional
Dean is a representative before the UK Patent Office, UK Trade Marks Registry, UK Designs Registry, and the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO).
Dean's experience includes acting for a high profile UK based generic pharmaceutical manufacturer, an international Perfumer and several Japanese and US biotechnology companies.
In the field of patents Dean has experience in biotechnology, bioinformatics, pharmaceuticals, forensic medicine, transgenic plants and animals, proteomics, biosensors, computer modelling, nucleic acid sequencing and diagnostic kits.
Additionally, Dean has a general grounding in general mechanical inventions, such as automotive components, building components, hand tools, street furniture as well as medical devices and fire retardant.
His trade mark experience includes representing a major UK internet service provider, a national drinks company, and a range of financial services clients for their worldwide trade marks portfolios. Dean has experience in UK and foreign patent, trade mark, design and copyright protection and enforcement, being particularly active in the enforcement of trade mark rights before the UK High Court.