People

UPC Representative and European Patent Attorney
Founder of Altius De Clercq

Sakina Bounaga (PhD) is a Partner at De Clercq & Partners, European Patent Attorney and registered UPC Representative with extensive experience in patent prosecution, opposition and appeal proceedings, strategic advisory work and litigation-related matters in chemistry and life sciences. She advises innovative companies on the protection, enforcement and strategic management of patent portfolios. 

Sakina holds a PhD in Bioorganic Chemistry from the University of Huddersfield and combines a strong academic background with hands-on industry experience. Prior to joining De Clercq & Partners, she worked as a Senior Scientist and Project Leader at a Belgian biotechnology company, where she gained in-depth insight into applied research, innovation processes and commercial realities. She joined De Clercq & Partners in 2001 and qualified as a European Patent Attorney in 2006. Sakina became a partner in 2010. 

Sakina’s technical expertise spans a broad range of technologies, including organic and inorganic chemistry, polymer chemistry, pharmaceutical and agrochemical inventions, small molecules, food processing, materials science, and biotechnology-related inventions. She is regularly involved in freedom-to-operate analyses, IP due diligence, licensing matters and long-term portfolio strategy for research-driven companies. 

Alongside her client work, Sakina is actively involved in the wider IP community. She is a member of several professional IP organisations. Her work has been consistently recognised by leading international legal directories for her technical depth and strategic insight.