Sarah McLaughlin

Research-driven patent protection for life science innovations

With a Ph.D. in cellular and molecular medicine and hands-on research experience, Sarah’s practice focuses on patent drafting and prosecution in life sciences. She leverages scientific expertise for the legal protection of complex innovations.

Sarah thrives on learning about cutting-edge technologies and is committed to helping clients protect and commercialize their innovations. Her practice includes preparing patent applications, conducting technical research and managing prosecution matters with a focus on life sciences and emerging technologies.

Sarah’s path to patent law began during her doctoral studies at the Ottawa Heart Institute, where the biomaterial she investigated was part of a patent application. The experience sparked her interest in intellectual property law and its role in supporting innovation and clinical translation. She decided to pursue a legal career to help inventors protect their work and bring scientific advancements to market.

Her Ph.D. research explored the use of a collagen biomaterial to improve cardiac function following a heart attack in a mouse model. The results were published in two peer-reviewed journal articles and earned her the Best Science Poster Award at Ottawa Cardiovascular Research Day. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Ottawa, graduating summa cum laude and receiving the University Silver Medal.

During law school, Sarah deepened her interest in IP through her participation in the Harold G. Fox Moot, where her team advanced to the finals and earned runner-up status. She also held a Gerald W. Schwartz Summer Fellowship, conducting research on legislative responses to the Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission Report, and completed an externship at the Structural Genomics Consortium.