Ian Rourke

Ian Rourke acts primarily for Australian clients including research institutes, universities, listed companies and start-up companies. He prepares and prosecutes patent applications, evaluates the external patent landscape and intellectual property positions of competitors, manages patent oppositions, and conducts complex patent invalidity, infringement and due diligence analyses. Dr Rourke handles large global patent portfolios and protects inventions in the agricultural and biotechnology fields in a large number of jurisdictions outside Australia.

Before joining FB Rice in 1998, Dr Rourke had a broad background in the biological sciences. He initially studied agricultural sciences before completing a BSc (Hons) at the University of New England. His PhD research at CSIRO, Entomology, focussed on molecular neuroendocrinology. Dr Rourke subsequently undertook two post-doctoral roles. Firstly at the Clinical Biochemistry Department of the National University Hospital, Copenhagen, where he worked on gene evolution, transcription and prohormone processing of vertebrate neuropeptides. Thereafter, he worked on blood cell growth factors and gene regulation of cell survival in activated T lymphocytes at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Australia.

As well as CorporateINTL Agribusiness Sector IP Patent Attorney in Australia for 2017, Dr Rourke was awarded the title Most Client Focused IP Specialist in 2017 by the Financial Review Client Choice Awards. In winning the award, clients described Dr Rourke as demonstrating “responsive and effective communication, knowledge of relevant law and technical subject matter, good commercial awareness.”

As a result of his scientific research Mr Rourke has 14 publications in peer reviewed international journals.

Mr Rourke is a registered Australian Patent Attorney.