Experience

Before joining SIB in 2001, Valentina spent over 10 years as a researcher in the field of human and molecular genetics – at the La Sapienza University of Rome, the Università of Bari and other universities as well as at the National Institue of Health in the United States – and a further two years as an examiner at the European Patent Office in Munich in the biotechnology sector.

These experiences endowed her with in-depth knowledge of European Patent rules and procedures, and a strong background in biotech.

She has also been a member of the IP group of a pharma multinational known in the sector of vaccines and diagnostics.

Valentina has advised leading multinational and Italian chemical and biotech companies, drafting and prosecuting patent applications at European and international level. Her competence extends to patent enforcement and active opposition against third-party patents post grant, as well as to supervising the filing and prosecution of plant variety rights with the Community Plant Variety Office and national offices.

Her clients also include universities and research organisations in Italy and abroad.

Valentina is a lead advisor of the SIB Life Science and Chemistry Team, a multidisciplinary group of experts in the drafting, filing and prosecution of patent applications relating to emerging technologies in the fields of chemistry, biology, medicine and biotechnology, including nanotechnological platforms.

She teaches European and international regulation and patents as adjunct professor at the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology of the University of Bologna.

She is enrolled with the Register of Court-Appointed Experts on Industrial Property of the Court of Rome, which is the Italian Court with the largest specialised IP section.

Lecturing and publishing
Valentina holds lectures on patent issues in Italy.

Activity

Italian and European patents in the field of biotechnology.
Protection of new plant varieties in Italy and abroad.
Court expert in patent litigation.

Memberships

Member of the Ordine dei Consulenti in Proprietà Industriale (Italian Industrial Property Consultants Institute), of the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office, of the Italian Institute of Biologists; enrolled with the Register of Court-Appointed Experts on Industrial Property of the Court of Rome.

Recognitions

Intellectual Asset Management Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners 2024.

Qualifications

Italian and European Patent Attorney, Community Design Attorney. European Patent Litigator (qualified to represent clients before the Unified Patent Court).

Education

Master’s degree with honours in Biology, La Sapienza University of Rome.
Scientific Assistant at the National Institute of Health of Bethesda, Maryland.
PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology, La Sapienza University of Rome.
Specialisation in Applied Genetics, La Sapienza University of Rome.
European Patent Litigation Certificate – Master class in patents, University of Milan.