Pearce IP has appointed Mathew Lucas as executive patent attorney, strengthening the firm’s life sciences and patent practice amid growing client demand.

Lucas, who is based in Melbourne, brings over 25 years of experience in patent prosecution, litigation, oppositions and commercialization. He has drafted more than 500 patent specifications across therapeutics, diagnostics, catalysts, biologics and nutraceuticals. He also has deep technical expertise in biochemistry, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, diagnostics and chemical engineering.

Before joining Pearce IP, Lucas was a partner at Davies Collison Cave, where he led a multimillion-dollar patent practice. He also helped establish the firm’s Singapore and Hong Kong offices and managed regional business development while based in Singapore.

Lucas holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Melbourne and completed post-doctoral research at the University of Illinois and the University of Adelaide, contributing to the development the InSure FIT bowel screening test. He is widely published and frequently speaks at international intellectual property conferences, including IPTA and Global IP Convention.

Naomi Pearce, founder of Pearce IP, said Lucas’ appointment reflects the firm’s ongoing expansion and supports the firm’s focus on complex, high-value patent matters across Australia, New Zealand and international markets.