Jurisdictions:
Languages:
English
Biography
Grant has over 20 years’ experience providing strategic intellectual property advice to top-tier global pharmaceutical clients, including Merck, Amgen, Johnson & Johnson, Nestle, CRISPR Therapeutics and Zoetis. His expertise spans patent drafting and prosecution across molecular and cell biology, immunology, pharmaceuticals, cell and gene therapy, medical devices and diagnostics. He has extensive experience managing patent oppositions, including five concurrent Australian oppositions forming part of the global CRISPR gene editing litigation, and possesses specialist knowledge in securing pharmaceutical patent term extensions and advising on patent validity and infringement. His litigation support experience includes revocation proceedings in the Federal Court, including matters concerning blockbuster biologics.
Prior to entering the patent profession, Grant spent 15 years in medical research, completing a PhD on antibody engineering and immunoglobulin polyreactivity, and holding positions in breast cancer research, DNA vaccine development and biotech start-ups in London, Switzerland and Sydney.
Grant is a recognised authority on gene-related patentable subject matter in Australia and the US, having made submissions to a Senate Inquiry on the patentability of genes and biological material, participated in IPTA’s High Court intervention in D’Arcy v Myriad Genetics Inc., and successfully acted for the applicant in Arrowhead Research Corporation [2016] APO 70, a landmark decision clarifying gene-based pharmaceutical patentability in Australia.
Grant is Vice President of the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA), convening the Governance Committee and Media and Communications Committees, which leads IPTA’s policy and legislative engagement. He is a former lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney and the University of New South Wales, teaching courses on patent interpretation, validity and personalised medicine.
A recognised thought leader, Grant is frequently invited to speak on intellectual property matters and has appeared in television, radio, and print media.
His recognitions include Recommended Individual – IAM Patent 1000 (2023–2025) and Notable Practitioner – IP Stars (2022–2025).
Prior to entering the patent profession, Grant spent 15 years in medical research, completing a PhD on antibody engineering and immunoglobulin polyreactivity, and holding positions in breast cancer research, DNA vaccine development and biotech start-ups in London, Switzerland and Sydney.
Grant is a recognised authority on gene-related patentable subject matter in Australia and the US, having made submissions to a Senate Inquiry on the patentability of genes and biological material, participated in IPTA’s High Court intervention in D’Arcy v Myriad Genetics Inc., and successfully acted for the applicant in Arrowhead Research Corporation [2016] APO 70, a landmark decision clarifying gene-based pharmaceutical patentability in Australia.
Grant is Vice President of the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA), convening the Governance Committee and Media and Communications Committees, which leads IPTA’s policy and legislative engagement. He is a former lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney and the University of New South Wales, teaching courses on patent interpretation, validity and personalised medicine.
A recognised thought leader, Grant is frequently invited to speak on intellectual property matters and has appeared in television, radio, and print media.
His recognitions include Recommended Individual – IAM Patent 1000 (2023–2025) and Notable Practitioner – IP Stars (2022–2025).
- Year joined firm: 2022
Recent matter / case highlights
- Confidential pre-litigation matter: Grant was chosen by a Global pharmaceutical company to be part of the Australian team responsible for pre-litigation in relation to patents covering a blockbuster drug valued in the tens of billions of dollars annually.
- Confidential pre-litigation and opposition matter: Grant leads a confidential pre-litigation and patent opposition matter directed to gene editing technology potentially valued in the range of hundreds of millions of dollars.
- Illumina Inc, Illumina Cambridge: Grant leads prosecution of Illumina’s Australian patent portfolio, covering DNA sequencing instruments, platforms, and related technologies. Illumina develops life sciences technologies that advance personalised medicine, oncology, genetic and infectious disease research, and reproductive health. Wrays partners with Illumina to protect and enforce its intellectual property in Australia.
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR): Grant is the principal in charge and key contact for the Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR). WIMR conducts research addressing major global health challenges such as cancer, infection, immunity, and cardio-respiratory disease.
- OzStar Therapeutics Pty Ltd: Grant has served as patent attorney for OzStar Therapeutics for over 10 years, managing two patent portfolios consisting of 18 patents granted across Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, Indonesia, India, the US, Japan, South Korea and Russia. These patents facilitated the recent market launch of Aglucator, a treatment for type-2 diabetes.
Key practice areas
- Life sciences IP
- Patent (contentious)
- Patent (prosecution)
Sector expertise
- Agriculture
- Biotechnology
- Healthcare
- Life sciences
- Pharmaceutical
Education / Alumni
- Master of Industrial Property, University of Technology, Sydney (2007)
- PhD (Immunology/Antibody engineering), University of Technology, Sydney (1998)
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) Molecular and Cell Biology, Macquarie University (1988)
Association / Network Memberships
- Fellow, Vice President and Treasurer, Convenor, Governance and Legal Committee, Co-Convenor, Media and Communications Committee, The Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia (IPTA) (2006)
- IPSANZ (2007)
- AusBiotech (2007)
Address:
Tel:+61 284 156 528
Email:Contact this practitioner
Website:Grant-shoebridge
Level 20, 1 Castlereagh Street
Sydney, New South Wales, 2000
Australia
