The Patent 1000 focuses exclusively on patent practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal patent expertise.
Recommended - Individuals: prosecution
“PONS IP is one of the most professional IP firms and deserves to be highlighted for its commitment to clients, high quality work and great professionals.” Deputy head Patricia Ramos and head of the patent department Ana Herrera lead a strong group stacked with talent. Unsurprisingly, they earn glowing reviews from the market: “The collaborative and trustworthy team at PONS IP rapidly responds to queries, ensures that filings are completed promptly, and provides timely reporting on developments during the prosecution of patent applications. It provides ample assistance throughout the entire patent life cycle and is very knowledgeable in everything related to intellectual property, including the nuances of EPO patent practice and filings in other countries.” Isabel Cortés Martínez comes in for special praise for her “legal experience that spans the full IP spectrum. She is appreciated for her strong communication skills, teamwork and exceptional organisation. Isabel is a committed practitioner with a deep understanding of IP law – her energy, enthusiasm and die-hard attitude make her a winner and a great professional.” Often working with leading-edge technologies, Gabriel Castilla is another discerning choice for high-level prosecution work – particularly in the engineering space.
Ana Herrera holds a degree in ioblogy from the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), with a specialisation in molecular biology and genetics, as well as a master's in biotechnology from Aliter (International Business School). She attended the course in European patent law run by the Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies of the University of Strasbourg and epi, and became a European patent attorney in 2015.
Ms Herrera has been working in intellectual property since 2009, particularly in the field of biotechnological patents, as a patent adviser. Her practice is focused on preparing patentability and infringement assessments and opinions, freedom-to-operate studies, drafting patent applications, oppositions, third-party observations, responses to official actions issued by the different patent offices all over the world, as well as providing advice to clients on the different patent protection strategies. The inventions she deals with are mainly focused on genetic therapies and genetic engineering using expression vectors, but also on diagnosis methods based on the quantification of biomarkers and the design and use of antibodies.
She has led the biotechnology practice of PONS IP since 2020 and also became head of the firm’s patent department in 2022.
Ms Herrera lectures in several master's degrees, webinars and conferences on intellectual property, mainly related to patents and utility models.
Languages
Spanish and English
PONS IP is a global IP consulting firm with its origins dating back to 1945. We are a team of 130 highly skilled professionals dedicated to designing and implementing effective solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of organisations worldwide. Our focus on intellectual property spans the entire life cycle of a product or service, from the early development stages through to its launch and beyond.
We understand that only a committed, innovative and client-oriented team can help companies achieve their goals in a competitive and constantly evolving market. That's why we specialise in creating customised solutions that enhance the competitiveness of our clients based on their unique characteristics.
Our extensive domestic network includes four regional offices strategically located across Spain. Additionally, we have an international presence in key economic centres such as Bogota, Medellín, Guangzhou and Brussels, enabling us to represent over 27,000 clients in 150 countries. In addition, our local expertise, combined with a global perspective, means that we can provide effective services from our Colombian office to the entire Latin America region.
As experts in IP, we offer comprehensive advice and ongoing dialogue to help our clients select the best strategy for protecting their intangible assets. Our diverse client base includes high-profile organisations from a range of industries, and we take a personalised approach to ensure excellence in every service we provide. We offer a range of IP consulting services, designed to provide tailored support and tools to companies of all sizes and sectors. We understand that each company is unique, even those operating in the same market, which is why we focus on understanding their specific needs and goals to develop the most appropriate IP strategy.
Our services include protection, which involves targeted strategies for safeguarding patents through thorough research and analysis, as well as comprehensive management of IP portfolios worldwide. At PONS IP we specialise in providing technological surveillance services to our clients. Our team of experts analyses, evaluates and designs patentability strategies that generate strong IP rights, which in turn enhance the performance and commercialisation of R&D and innovation. Our global strategic and legal protection services are designed to maximise the socio-economic return on innovation. Our expert team works closely with clients to develop the most appropriate patentability strategy that meets their specific needs. With our expertise, we provide our clients with a mechanism to protect their innovations, ensuring that they can benefit from the commercial success of their ideas. We understand the importance of intellectual property in today's market, and our services are designed to help our clients maximise the value of their innovation.
Our expert patent team specialises in designing the most appropriate strategy for the exploitation of your intangible assets by third parties. We work closely with our clients to define the scope of the rights that each party acquires in the agreement, ensuring that all parties benefit from the collaboration. We offer expert solutions in technology transfer between research entities, public centres, and private companies. Our aim is to bring technology resulting from research processes to the market, unlocking its full potential. Our team of experts has extensive experience in the field of technology transfer and can provide valuable guidance on how to best leverage your intangible assets.
At PONS IP, we are committed to social responsibility and promoting sustainable and socially responsible policies that positively impact society. As a member of the UN Global Compact, we are part of a global movement inspired by UN principles that aims to create a human face for the global market.
We have established the PONS Foundation, a non-profit organisation that raises awareness about the importance of IP for economic and social development. Our collaboration with the ISDE Law Business School has led to the launch of one of the most prestigious IP master's programmes in Spain – the 17th edition of the Master's in Intellectual Property, Competition and New Technologies.
We are also active members of several international IP organisations, including the Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property, the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property, INTA, the Licensing Executives Society and epi. We collaborate with these organisations in various events, publications and projects to promote the advancement of IP globally.