Takayuki Imazato

Taka joined J A Kemp as an associate in 2019 having previously worked in private practice in Tokyo, Japan, and the UK. He qualified as a Japanese Patent Attorney in 2006 and as a European Patent Attorney in 2022.

Taka studied Biochemistry at Hokkaido University for his undergraduate degree.  Following this he completed a Master of Science in Human Molecular Genetics at Imperial College London. After completing his studies, Taka worked as a researcher at a biotech company. His research focussed on the generation of dopaminergic neurons from primate embryonic stem cells via genetic engineering, which led to several publications.

After the research, Taka started practising patent law at a leading firm in Tokyo. He has more than ten years’ experience in patent drafting and prosecution and advising R & D-oriented clients on portfolio and life-cycle management. While practising in Japan, Taka was seconded to the IP team of a global pharmaceutical company and received intensive in-house practice training.

Taka also has considerable experience of patent invalidation trials before the Japan Patent Office and IP High Court, mainly defending patents of innovative pharmaceutical companies in multinational contentious cases. He also has experience in patent infringement litigation cases in Japan. Taka has also been involved in EPO opposition cases and has attended oral proceedings.

Taka is fluent in Japanese and English.