Erica L. Lowthers, PhD

Patent Agent | Partner

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  • Bio
  • Awards & Recognition
  • Professional Involvement
  • Selected Speaking Engagements
  • Insights
  • Education

Erica’s aptitude for grasping the technicalities of emerging innovations helps her draft strong patent applications for her clients, strategically positioning them to launch their products into the marketplace. Clients appreciate her ability to effectively understand the science behind their ideas and inventions as well as her approachability and responsiveness. She truly enjoys working with clients, both large and small, and considers it a great privilege to be given the opportunity to review their research and products and assist in their protection and commercialization.

Erica is a registered Patent Agent in Canada and the United States. Her practice focuses on drafting and prosecuting Canadian and U.S. patents, managing diverse patent portfolios and advising clients on issues of infringement and validity. Erica’s technology focus is primarily on inventions relating to the life sciences and medical devices. Her work covers biochemistry, genomics, diagnostics, virology, therapeutics, immunology, and plant biotechnology.

Erica received a Doctorate in Pharmacology from Dalhousie University, where she gained strong scientific experience in fields that include pharmacology, oncology, cellular biology and biochemistry. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and has been presented at conferences around the world. She has also published articles in Intellectual Asset Magazine and the IPIC Bulletin and was interviewed for Technology Transfer Tactics magazine, where she explained different methods to reduce the time and costs associated with obtaining patent protection, particularly in the United States and Canada.

Awards & Recognition

  • Registered Patent Agent (Canada) (2011)
  • Registered Patent Agent (United States) (2011)
  • Recognized in IAM Patent 1000 – The World's Leading Patent Professionals
  • Recipient, Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (Gold Level) 

Professional Involvement

Professional Activities

Erica currently serves on the Canadian Patent Agent Examining Board for the qualification of Canadian Patent Agents.

She is also an active member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada's (IPIC) Patent Agent Training Committee and the IPIC Women in IP Community.

Memberships

  • Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC)
  • Toronto Intellectual Property Group (TIPG)
  • Life Sciences Ontario (LSO)
  • Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM)

Selected Speaking Engagements

"Psychedelics: A Complex and Changing Regulatory Landscape Focused on Scientific Research and IP Protection," Aird & Berlis LLP Psychedelics Webinar, January 18, 2023.

"Patent Waivers: Good, Bad or Indifferent?," Pop-up CPD Webinar, June 1, 2021.

"The Science of Psychedelics: How Law & Science Support the Sector," Aird & Berlis LLP Virtual Industry Update Webinar, September 22, 2020.

"Protecting Your Intellectual Property During the Cannabis Boom," Aird & Berlis LLP Intellectual Property Webinar, May 3, 2018.

"Growing Your 'Cannabusiness': From Seeds to the Stock Exchange," Aird & Berlis LLP Cannabis Webinar, September 27, 2017.

"Securing Intellectual Property Rights: Why Protect Your Inventions and Designs?", Aird & Berlis LLP Intellectual Property Webinar, June 8, 2017.

Education

  • PhD, Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, 2007
  • B.Sc. (Honours), Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, 2003