From physics lab to patent law: Supporting innovation for your business

12th January 2026

When people hear the word patents, they often imagine futuristic inventions or secret laboratories. In reality, patents are far more grounded, and far more relevant, to the day to day innovations taking place across businesses.

At Freeths, Senior Associate and UK & European Patent Attorney Callum Anderson is helping to build the firm’s in-house patents capability, working closely with Richard Ellis, Director of Patents. Together, they are supporting businesses at every stage of the innovation journey, from early-stage ideas through to commercialisation, investment and growth.

Protecting ideas that matter to businesses

At its core, patent work is about protecting new ideas. That could be a medical imaging system, a renewable energy innovation, software-driven technology or even a redesigned component that solves a practical problem more effectively than before.

For businesses, patents can play a crucial role in securing competitive advantage, attracting investment and enabling confident product launches. The patents team supports clients across the full lifecycle – from helping inventors articulate and protect their ideas, to guiding them through what is often a lengthy patent application process, as well as advising on intellectual property in corporate transactions, due diligence exercises and ‘freedom to operate’ checks.

Callum brings a physics background and almost a decade of experience in specialist patent firms, alongside a clear, practical approach to what can often feel like a complex area. “Patents shouldn’t be mysterious,” he says. “They’re a commercial tool, and they work best when they’re aligned with a business’s broader strategy.”

Innovation with real-world impact

Callum is particularly motivated by work in medical technology and renewable energy – sectors that continue to grow strongly across the region. He has advised on medical imaging, surgical technologies and software-enabled systems, as well as projects in solar and wind energy.

“Being involved at an early stage, before a product goes on to improve patient outcomes or support cleaner energy, is incredibly rewarding,” he says. “You’re often working directly with the people who identified the problem in the first place and came up with a new solution.”

A joined-up approach to patents

The patents team combines complementary engineering and technical expertise, allowing them to handle anything from individual patent applications to larger, multi-patent portfolios. With experience spanning private practice and in-house roles, the team understands how patents are used in practice, not just in theory.

Having this capability in-house means patents can be viewed in context, supporting corporate transactions, investment rounds, licensing arrangements and long-term commercial planning.

Busting common patent myths

One of the most common misconceptions Callum encounters is that software cannot be patented. “It’s more nuanced than people expect,” he explains. “While there are additional hurdles, it is possible in the right circumstances. Early advice can make a real difference.”

Indeed, patents can arise in far more situations than many businesses realise – from product development and software to clean energy projects, tax planning (including the UK’s Patent Box regime) and life sciences.

Supporting innovation across the region

For businesses, particularly SMEs and scale-ups, early conversations about intellectual property can help clarify whether patents are worth pursuing and how they can support commercial goals.

With a growing patents capability, Freeths is focused on helping businesses protect innovation in a clear, accessible and commercially focused way, without the mystique, and very much without the white cat.