Qualifications
- BSc (Biochemistry & Zoology)
- BSc (Hons) (Biochemistry)
- BJuris (Law subjects, Latin, English, Afrikaans)
- MSc (Biochemistry) – Research in enzymology & proteasome protein chemistry
- LLB (Postgraduate law degree – equivalent to JD)
- Master of Industrial Property (Patent, Trade Mark & Design Law)
- BPhil (Ancient Cultures of the Near East & Mediterranean)
- PhD (Neuroscience) – RMIT University
- Registered Trans‑Tasman Patent Attorney (AU & NZ)
- Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
- Fellow of IPTA
- 25 years’ experience in intellectual property law across top‑tier firms in Australia and South Africa
Experience
Dr Seán Klinkradt is an accomplished intellectual property professional with more than two decades of experience advising clients across Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. As a registered Trans‑Tasman Patent Attorney and Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, Seán brings a rare combination of deep scientific expertise, legal training, and cross‑jurisdictional experience.
His academic background spans science, law, and humanities, culminating in a PhD in neuroscience from RMIT University. His doctoral research focused on identifying and characterising a novel excitatory amino acid transporter in rodent brains—work with potential therapeutic applications in neurological, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Seán has practised with leading IP firms in both South Africa and Australia, developing extensive experience across biotechnology, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and veterinary sciences. His scientific depth and legal precision make him a trusted advisor for clients navigating complex patent landscapes.
Beyond practice, Seán is an active academic, lecturing in biomedicine, business law, human rights, intellectual property, medical sciences, and property law at multiple universities. His broad intellectual interests include ancient history, philosophy, and classical literature.
Specialities
- Patent drafting and prosecution across biotechnology, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and medical technologies
- Neuroscience, biomedicine, and therapeutic innovation
- Veterinary and agricultural biotechnology
- Patentability, infringement, and validity assessments
- Strategic IP portfolio development for research institutions and industry
- Cross‑jurisdictional IP strategy (AU/NZ/South Africa)
Academic and industry training in IP, law, and biomedical sciences

