Dr Annabella Newton
- Senior Associate
MChem(Hons) MCommrclLaw PhD AMRSC MRACI GAICD

Annabella is a patent attorney specialising in the chemical sciences. She has drafting experience in pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, food chemistry, materials science and mining chemistry.

Annabella’s practice sees her working with a range of clients, from local SMEs to global corporations as well as universities and research organisations. She has experience handling large patent portfolios for multinational companies including prosecution, queries, assignments, licenses and amendments. Annabella specialises in pharmaceutical extensions of term as well as strategic patenting advice and providing opinions on infringement, validity and freedom to operate. Annabella has also been involved in several patent oppositions.

Annabella has in-house experience, having been seconded to a leading Australian research organisation several times as an IP Manager. During this time, Annabella assisted with management of the organisation’s patent portfolio, providing advice on the patentability of new research in line with the organisation’s commercial goals.

Annabella is particularly interested in the role of IP in the commercialisation of research. She was a co-founder of a medical device start-up in 2016. This led her to become an Innovation Mentor with CSIRO’s ON Program. She also provides talks and mentoring to various other start-up programs and accelerators. Annabella is a graduate the AICD’s Company Directors Course in 2019.

These experiences allow Annabella to bring practical and commercially focused advice to her clients.

Annabella is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion within the STEM sector and the patent attorney profession. She serves on the board for Women in STEMM Australia and she was elected to the IPTA Council in 2021.

Annabella has a Master of Chemistry (Honours) from the University of East Anglia and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Nottingham, where her research was sponsored by AstraZeneca. Annabella was named an IPSTARS Rising Star in 2018, 2019 and 2020 by Managing Intellectual Property.