Bomac was a New Zealand-based export business operating in animal health space, largely concerned with selling veterinary products. Its main competitors were scarily large, including the likes of Pfizer, Merial, Schering Plough, Fort Dodge and Jurox.

These competitors are not only large in terms of market domination, but also in terms of R&D and IP budgets.

Kate worked with Bomac to build up an international IP portfolio including more than 40 patent families filed selectively across 10 countries. Its R&D team has received training in IP law and also consulted with Kate to determine whether something it is developing is likely to infringe specific IP rights overseas.

Many supporting patent applications are drafted around a "sweet spot", say consumer preferences, which gave Bomac an edge over competitors which may have had the same active ingredients, but in a less usable form.

With Kate’s help, Bomac kept a close eye on the IP landscape and designed its R&D and commercialisation strategies accordingly.

Bomac’s innovative culture coupled with its IP approach are some of reasons that Bomac became Bayer’s only major global acquisition in 2011.

“Kate Wilson was instrumental in positioning Bomac’s IP portfolio for purchase of Bomac by Bayer, adding considerable value to Bomac and NZ.”

Wayne Leech

Former CEO, Bomac Laboratories Ltd

AgResearch is one of New Zealand’s largest Crown Research Institutes whose stated purpose is to use science to enhance the value, productivity and profitability of New Zealand’s pastoral, agri-food and agri-technology sector value chains to contribute to economic growth and beneficial environmental and social outcomes for New Zealand.

“I worked with Kate Wilson for a number of years while she was partner at James & Wells, Kate was instrumental in helping us to structure our in house IP practices and managed AgResearch’s extensive IP portfolio. She also worked within our organisation, training staff on IP matters and being part of our internal IP committee. I was impressed at Kates desire and ability to understood our needs from a pragmatic commercial perspective and how she was then able to provide strategic IP advice across the organisation. She was easy to work with, exceptionally approachable and delivered quality outputs in a very timely manner.”

Dr Ian Boddy

Former Commercial GM AgResearch

Gallagher Group is one of New Zealand’s most iconic organisations, world leading and award winning in animal management and security solutions. Kate introduced a hands-on approach to IP management for the Gallagher Group over 30 years ago and worked with IP managers within the Group including myself to build and coordinate our portfolio and the services of her IP law firm. Her relationship with Gallagher also included educating our staff on IP in a pragmatic way.

Her advice has always been highly relevant, targeted towards helping us achieve our strategic goals and matching the culture of our organisation.

Richard Johnston

IP Manager Gallagher Group

Kate is a very talented IP strategy expert who I first engaged at PGG Wrightson Seeds where she provided an IP Strategy around a complex science project we were commercialising . Kate approaches IP strategy in a way that is ‘out of the box thinking’ and not just patent implementation at vast cost in multiple countries globally, some of which invariably are never needed – she looks at alternative solutions.

Kate founded and built up an IP legal business that became number one within the region whilst under her leadership as Senior Partner. I am fortunate to have worked with Kate on many and varied projects since then. I am also aware of the high regard and position Kate holds in the International IP community.

Colin Ansell

Strategic Advisor – International Commercialisation

The DuVal Group is a face-paced organisation and one of New Zealand’s largest full-service residential-led property groups - delivering aspirational and affordable housing. The Du Val Group is diverse in nature and has other ventures including a health club chain, health food supplements, extensive merchandising, a charity, an international proptech platform and a network TV series.

Kate has provided IP strategies , IP portfolio management and other advice across our organisation – showcasing the relevance of having a sound understanding of the intangible assets of our business. All advice has been delivered in a timely manner and in a highly practical and readily understandable format.

We have been very grateful for her commitment and the fact she has always gone above and beyond in supporting the Group.

Matt Gin

Head of Finance

I have worked with Kate in a number of roles, when she provided IP services to Sensortec and Quantec, and more lately as a co-director and trustee on a couple of Boards.

Kate has an unique and broad combination of science, engineering and IP knowledge and this is a particular strength of hers.

Her understanding of various technologies and the depth of IP knowledge she has is impressive, along with her organisational skills in managing our IP portfolio.

Dr Rod Claycomb

Owner/Director Quantec

I have worked with Kate on and off for 8 years and in that time have witnessed how she expertly teases information from clients to determine exactly what they need to own and take advantage of their intangible assets. Intellectual Property is frequently hidden in the minds of inventors and entrepreneurs and it takes an expert to start from nothing but a smart idea or process and end up with a strategy to harness, record and then monetise it. Her success stories are numerous and very interesting to hear. Kate does it all with a sense of humour and a sometimes brutal honesty which means her counsel is exactly what a client needs to hear (and nothing more or less) but in a tone that permits it to be heard and received.

A client of Kate is going to have an advantage over others. It’s that simple.

Owen Culliney

Managing Partner