Harriet Keenan

Harriet is a patent attorney working within the chemistry and biology team. Her focus is delivering tailored patent protection for biotechnological inventions along the entire commercial pipeline, from early idea to crystallised product.

Harriet’s specific areas of expertise include immunology (including antibody immunotherapies, CARs and CAR T cell therapies), molecular genetics (including gene editing techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9, gene silencing techniques such as siRNA) diagnostics, therapeutic delivery systems, microbiology, haematology, regenerative medicine & cellular agriculture (including stem-cell based technologies, growth factors, biomaterials).   

Harriet assists in drafting patent specifications, working directly with inventors and clients from local biotech companies, universities, and research institutions to best capture their commercial interests.

Harriet also assists in the development and implementation of creative prosecution strategies, predominantly in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Her prosecution work spans local companies, universities and research institutions, and renowned global pharmaceutical companies.

Harriet also has extensive experience in conducting patentability assessments, competitor searching, patent landscape analysis, and preliminary freedom-to-operate advice.

Before joining FPA, Harriet was a molecular immunologist at the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI). Her PhD and postdoctoral research focused on immune cell biology and migration.

This work involved sophisticated genetics, cutting-edge in vivo microscopy methods, and international collaborations with HHMI Janelia Research Campus, USA and City University, UK. She also undertook postdoctoral research using an antagomir-based approach to improving haematopoietic stem-cell production.

Harriet has published multiple peer-reviewed articles in immunology and cell biology journals, and has been invited to present at numerous international conferences on microscopy, disease modelling, and regenerative medicine. Her work has been recognized with awards from the Australian Microscopy & Microanalysis Society and Zebrafish Disease Modelling Society.

Harriet graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Science Advanced (Molecular Biology & Microbiology), graduating with first class Honors in Regenerative Medicine.

As an undergraduate, she was the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards, notably receiving the prestigious Monash University Medal for Undergraduate Academic Excellence. She later completed her PhD with Monash University at ARMI, having received an Australian Postgraduate Award.