Expertise

An expert in pharmaceuticals and biotech work, as well as chemicals and chemical engineering, Ben is a favourite with leading multinationals, who appreciate his breadth of international experience. Clients also value his deep knowledge and painstaking thoroughness, with one noting that “Ben Muir is highly skilled technically and legally diligent,” and describing him as “detail-oriented, and a pleasure to work with.”

Ben’s practice is focused on the chemical, chemical engineering and life sciences sectors. His broad expertise encompasses air and gas separation, cryogenics, combustion, syngas, semiconductor manufacture, new chemical entities and chemical formulations, as well as pharmaceuticals and medical treatments and diagnostic methods, protein and nucleic acid synthesis and purification, and antibodies.

Ben’s clients, which include a number of leading multinational corporations who instruct him directly, are full of praise for his understanding of their technology and the technical skill he’s gained over years of drafting applications for filing before the US, European and International Patent Offices. He also prosecutes cases before the European and International Patent Offices and consults on the prosecution of cases in the US, Japan, China, India and elsewhere. Ben regularly defends his clients’ patents and challenges competitors’ patents in opposition and appeal proceedings before the EPO. He also provides patent landscape, infringement and freedom to operate opinions, with experience in transactional and licensing work rounding off a broad practice. While Ben is much sought after by the world’s largest life sciences companies, he also enjoys working with smaller and medium-sized companies, and often handles all aspects of their patent portfolios.

For many years Ben was a member of the Life Sciences Committee of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA), whose remit includes advising the UK government and other international bodies, providing training to its members, and publishing educational resources on IP matters in the life sciences field.

Within Beck Greener Ben’s responsibilities include the Records and Renewals department. As the partner in charge, he ensures that the department runs efficiently, due dates are docketed and renewals are promptly paid.

Recommendations

Ben is recommended in The Legal 500 UK 2023, in Managing Intellectual Property 2023 as an IP Patent Star and, in IAM Patent 1000 2023.

“Ben Muir is a subject matter expert. He has the unique ability to draft applications that are stellar for both the EU and UK patent systems, but also for usage in the United States when those applications are either submitted for the first time in the United States, or as a result of being a first-filed PCT application. His legal experience and know-how are equally matched by his technological expertise.”
Client testimonial, IAM Patent 1000 2023

“Ben has significant experience and expertise in chemical engineering, materials and chemistry, but also the ability to quickly learn other tangential but complex technologies without a misstep. I can’t say enough positive things about Ben.”
Client testimonial, IAM Patent 1000 2023

“Ben Muir is very knowledgeable and proactive, good at adapting to clients’ needs, and transparent and attentive to costs.”
Client testimonial, IAM Patent 1000 2022

“Ben has a deep background knowledge of the technology and he is familiar with the inventors, so I always feel comfortable sending the invention disclosure and just telling him to run with it and he does a great job.”
Client testimonial, major US multinational

“Ben’s knowledge of European patent law is excellent.”
Client testimonial, Major US Conglomerate

Awards

The Legal 500 UK, 2023, Individual

MIP IP Stars

Career

After obtaining a master’s degree in Intellectual Property (as one of only two candidates in his year to pass with distinction), Ben joined the profession in 1999, and qualified as a European Patent Attorney in under three years. He joined Beck Greener in 2004 and became partner in 2008.