Intellectual property specialist Secerna LLP has added a new member to the team, enhancing the firm’s biotech expertise.

An Oxford graduate with an MA in Immunology, Holly Smith joins the established intellectual property law firm from her position within the team that developed the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, where she was involved in assessing the antibody response to the vaccine.

Joining as a trainee attorney, Holly will apply her expertise to help biotech companies protect their intellectual property. Holly will support Secerna’s growing worldwide client base of multi-national corporations, FTSE and NYSE listed companies, universities, spin-out companies, small businesses and innovators.

On moving into intellectual property law, Holly says, “I wanted a role where I can use my scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills but apply them outside of the laboratory environment. Being exposed to, and getting to be hands-on with, so much new technology is something that excites me a lot.”

She adds, “In the time I have been at Secerna, I have already had the opportunity to work on a wide range of cases for firms from university spinouts to large multi-national businesses. This and the chance to work so closely with highly experienced senior members of the team make Secerna a fantastic firm to work for.”

Secerna partner Charlotte Watkins says, “One of our aims here at Secerna is to provide clear development paths for talented young science and technology graduates, like Holly, and to attract someone of her calibre to the firm is something that makes us extremely happy. Holly brings with her a huge amount of knowledge and we are looking forward to watching her grow and develop her skills here.”