Duncan Matthews

Professor Duncan Matthews is a Professor of Intellectual Property Law at Queen Mary University of London, where he also directs research at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS). He holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and is affiliated with institutions such as the Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute (QMIPRI) and the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition. His work focuses on patent law, international IP frameworks, and their implications for public health and development.

Matthews advises global bodies like the European Patent Office (EPO), World Health Organization (WHO), and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). He teaches postgraduate courses on patent law, specializing in the Unified Patent Court (UPC), TRIPS Agreement, and IP in life sciences. Current research includes projects on vaccine IP licensing post-COVID-19 and agricultural genome editing’s impact on global food security.

He has authored influential books, including Globalising Intellectual Property Rights: The TRIPS Agreement and co-edited volumes on patent law and life sciences. His work bridges academia and policy, addressing challenges like IP governance during health crises and balancing innovation with public interest.

Matthews has held visiting roles at universities worldwide, including the Australian National University and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. He frequently engages with media outlets like the Financial Times and Pharma Technology Focus, advocating for equitable IP practices.