Dr Sheena Linehan
UK & European Patent Attorney
Sheena is a European and UK Chartered patent attorney with a deep and broad knowledge of the Life Sciences sector, gained over 19 years in private practice. Her particular passion is supporting start-ups and SMEs in developing holistic and commercial IP strategies to advance new biomedical innovation. Having worked with companies of all sizes from start-up to multinational biopharma, Sheena understands how sound IP strategy can support company growth and investment goals. Her practice includes drafting patent applications, handling prosecution of global patent portfolios, competitor monitoring, preparing freedom to operate reports, and preparing UK and European infringement opinions. She has also carried out IP due diligence in relation to investments and acquisitions.
Having worked with clients in a broad range of biotechnologies throughout her IP career, Sheena now wishes to use the flexibility offered by Two IP to focus on supporting clients in technology areas in which she has a deep technical knowledge, including vaccines, therapeutic antibodies and other immunotherapies, microbiome therapeutics, synthetic biology and diagnostics.
Career History
Sheena joined the patent profession following an eight-year research career at leading research universities. In her doctorate in immunology at the University of Oxford, Sheena carried out fundamental research on a macrophage receptor involved in microbial pattern recognition. She developed her research as a Junior Research Fellow, including as a visiting scholar at The Rockefeller University in New York. Sheena then moved to a molecular microbiology laboratory at Imperial College London as Wellcome Trust Postdoctoral Research Associate, where she established the study of macrophages, and used genetic approaches to investigate the interplay between macrophages and Salmonella pathogenicity mechanisms.
Recognising that her core interests lay in synthesising ideas and writing, rather than lab work, Sheena joined a leading IP firm qualifying as a UK Chartered and European patent attorney. During 19 years of patent practice, Sheena continually sought out opportunities to practice in her areas of deep technical knowledge; and has exercised her flair for writing by publishing numerous articles relating to legal developments impacting the Life Sciences sector.
Technical Expertise / Areas of Specialism
Vaccines, therapeutic antibodies and other immunotherapies, microbiome therapeutics, synthetic biology, diagnostics, biomarkers, women’s and children’s health, therapeutic peptides and proteins, industrial microbiology and bioprocessing, cell therapies, genotyping and nucleic acid amplification techniques, second medical uses, medical devices and chemical formulations.
Professional Qualifications
- UK Chartered Patent Attorney
- European Patent Attorney
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil) Immunology, University of Oxford
- First Class BA Natural Sciences (Biochemistry), University of Cambridge
Volunteer experience
Sheena is passionate about helping children learn life skills, through volunteering in a range of contexts including holiday clubs, a school bridge club and church groups.
Interests
Sheena loves the outdoors, gardening, and all things Japanese.