Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2023 Masaki Morishima Partner at Saegusa & Partners PATENT LAWYER OF THE YEAR ABOUT MASAKI MORISHIMA Masaki, a partner at Saegusa & Partners, an 80-year-old IP firm, is the head of Saegusa’s international client department, and the co-head of Saegusa’s chemical and biotech department. He works with a diverse array of clients from various chemistry and biotech fields, including specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fibres, foods, personal care products, diagnostics, enzymes and stem cells. Masaki obtained an MS degree in applied life science from the Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University. Prior to joining Saegusa in 2008, he gained valuable work experience in the chemical industry as a corporate researcher for Lion Corporation, one of Japan’s leading personal care product companies, and then served for over five years as the IP department head of an Osaka University spin-off company that focused on regenerative medicine. He is highly experienced in drafting and prosecuting patent applications. Additionally, having represented clients on many occasions, Masaki is also experienced in oppositions and nullity proceedings before the JPO, as well as appeals before the IP High Court. He frequently provides infringement and validity opinions. FIRM PROFILE Founded in 1946, Saegusa & Partners is considered a thought leader among professionals and in-house counsels in Japan. Developing alongside Japan’s current patent system, the office has grown from its beginnings in Kitahama, Osaka, one of the largest chemical and life science business clusters in Japan, to become one of the most renowned intellectual property firms in the country. Saegusa, which also has offices in Tokyo steps away from the Japan Patent Office, boasts a team of 130 dedicated individuals (including roughly 50 IP attorneys), and can provide comprehensive coverage in technical fields ranging from stem cells to artificial intelligence. Saegusa works with a diverse array of international clients from various countries. These clients include many of the world’s leading companies, as well as highly active start-ups and prestigious universities. CONTACT T: +81 6 6203 0941 | E: m-morishima@saegusa-pat.co.jp www.saegusa-pat.co.jp JAPAN 99
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