Chris Nyarukowa is an associate in the Patent Department at Adams & Adams. He is an admitted attorney of the South African High Court, and a registered Patent Attorney. He holds a PhD in Medicinal Biochemistry, specialising in Genomics and Metabolomics, and an LLB degree. Chris specialises in a diversity of fields including, but not limited to Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Life Sciences-related patent matters, and registered designs.
He is experienced in the drafting of patent specifications and the filing and prosecution of patent applications both locally and abroad. Chris also reviews and provides advice on the claims of South African patent applications, with a view of identifying disconformity with local requirements and/or areas where possible amendments may improve the enforceability of the claims.
Chris has experience in conducting intellectual property due diligence investigations, advising clients on technology transfer, licensing, and the commercialisation of IP. He also has pre-litigation experience, which includes preparing patent infringement and validity opinions, as well as conducting novelty, freedom to operate, and validity searches.
Chris is a member of the Legal Practice Council, the Pretoria Attorneys Association, the South African Research and Innovation Management Association, the Licensing Executives Society, the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law and the South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.