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UPC Representative and European & Belgian Patent Attorney

Giel Vandemoortele (PhD) is a European and Belgian Patent Attorney and a registered UPC Representative at De Clercq & Partners with strong experience in patent prosecution, opposition and appeal proceedings and strategic IP advisory work in the life sciences sector. He advises innovative companies on the protection, development and optimisation of patent portfolios. 

Giel holds a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from Ghent University and obtained a PhD at the VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology. His doctoral research focused on genome engineering technologies, including CRISPR/Cas-based tools, and their application in proteomics and protein–protein interaction analysis. This background gives him a deep understanding of cutting-edge molecular biology and biotechnology research. He joined De Clercq & Partners in 2019 and qualified as a European Patent Attorney in 2022 and as a Belgian Patent Attorney in 2023. Giel’s technical expertise spans a wide range of life sciences fields, including molecular biology, biochemistry, discovery and targeted proteomics, precise gene editing technologies, immunology and cell biology. He is regularly involved in IP due diligence, patent landscape analyses and strategic portfolio management for research-driven companies, start-ups and academic spin-offs. 

Alongside his client work, Giel contributes to the firm’s life sciences practice through his strong scientific insight and analytical approach. He is recognised for his ability to translate complex scientific innovations into clear and robust patent strategies that support long-term business objectives.