Hannah Svindland Kerr

Hannah joined us as a Trainee Patent Attorney and IP Associate at Acapo Onsagers in January 2024 after graduating from The University of Edinburgh in 2023. She holds an M.Sc. degree in Biotechnology and a First-Class B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Biological Sciences. Hannah is currently taking the European Qualifying Examination, which will qualify her as a European Patent Attorney.

In her master’s thesis, she developed a novel recycling system in cyanobacteria to increase amino acid production for various biotechnological applications. Her work on the genetic modification of the dapA gene received international recognition in a global university research competition. Her honours project explored whether vaccine-based approaches could help overcome resistance to β-lactam and cephalosporin antibiotics, focusing on multidrug-resistant pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. The project resulted in a proposal for a polyvalent inactivated whole-cell vaccine and vaccine platform as a potential alternative or supplement to traditional antibiotic treatment.

With her academic background and interest in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, immunology, synthetic biology, and medical devices, Hannah also assists with cases in aquaculture, chemistry, and mechanical inventions. She works with the drafting and prosecution of patent applications, patent strategy, and intellectual property advisory work. Hannah assists clients in securing and defending an extension of the patent term for medicinal products before the Norwegian patent authorities. In particular, she works with Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPC) for medicinal products and plant protection products as well as paediatric extensions (SPC-PED) for children’s medicines, which can provide up to five and a half years of additional exclusivity beyond the standard patent term. Through patent surveillance, she also monitors developments in relevant technology fields, providing clients with competitive intelligence and insight into competitors’ patent portfolios, which can help identify potential risks and emerging market opportunities at an earlier stage.

Hannah grew up in Stavanger and is based at our Bergen office. Her working languages are Norwegian and English.