AstraZeneca’s Director Patents moves to IP boutique Evolve
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca's Director Patents Rose Hughes has moved to Evolve.
29 April 2025 by Laura King
After six years, AstraZeneca’s Director Patents, Rose Hughes (35), has joined IP boutique Evolve. The Cambridge-based firm specialises in patent advice and support to the pharmceutical and biotech industries at all stages of development. Hughes is well known in the patent community for her contributions to the popular blog IPKat.
Rose Hughes
At AstraZeneca, Hughes advised neuroscience and biopharma cell therapy business units on IP strategy and deals. In her new role, which she begins in May 2025, Hughes will focus particularly on cell and gene therapies, AI-assisted drug design and life cycle management strategies for biologics. Hughes began her career at Marks & Clerk as a trainee patent attorney after having previously studying natural sciences at Cambridge. She spent just over two years at Reddie & Grose before joining AstraZeneca in 2019, initially as senior patent attorney. In 2023 Hughes was appointed as director patents. When asked about her decision to move, Hughes told JUVE Patent, “I am ready for a new challenge. What I enjoy about my role as a patent attorney is working with the scientists and business to support the development of life-changing medicines.” AstraZeneca has not yet appointed a successor.
