Philippe M. Duquette Patent Agent Trainee

Philippe M. Duquette

Philippe M. Duquette is a patent agent in training in the Intellectual Property Group of Gowling WLG's Montréal office.

Born and raised in Ottawa, Philippe obtained a master's degree in neuroscience and a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of Ottawa. His master's thesis focused on the role of a transcription cofactor in the development and function of the retina. He also participated in characterizing this cofactor's role in metabolic and cardiovascular disease.

Philippe recently obtained his PhD in Neurosciences/Cell Biology at McGill University. During his time at McGill, he received a travel award to attend an advanced microscopy course at Cold Spring Harbor laboratories where he explored cutting-edge imaging technologies using state-of-the-art equipment in microscopy. Philippe also acted as president of his student association and worked for a leading biotechnology company focused on developing new technical tools for molecular biologists.

Throughout his PhD, Philippe was active in his community, volunteering his time to educate children and teenagers on the importance and relevance of science in their daily lives. His thesis focused on identifying new targets involved in wiring the brain to guide new therapeutic strategies in various pathologies of the nervous system. He identified a novel protease involved in axon guidance, calpain, which is also implicated in several neurological diseases. His scientific curiosity led him to participate in various research projects in cancer research and cardiovascular diseases. His technical expertise includes various biochemical, molecular and cell-based assays as well as several in vivo techniques.

After submitting his PhD thesis, Philippe completed an internship within the IP group of an international firm. He was able to participate in the prosecution of patents in the pharmaceutical, biotechnological and cosmetic industry and also provided support for an international litigation case involving two of the most important pharmaceutical companies in terms of research and development.

He practises in French and English and is fluent in Spanish.