Our People

A chemical engineer by profession, Irfan is very well-versed with chemical engineering. He worked as a process engineer in a large palm oil company for a couple of years and joined one of the Malaysia’s most reputable law firms, where he learned valuable intellectual property experience, helping clients in patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights, layout designs of integrated circuit, geographical indications and plant variety protections.

He has attended and conducted many international conferences, seminars as well as IP courses, including JPAA IP Practitioner Bangkok; the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI) Southeast Asia Patent Drafting (SEAD) Course; the Japan Patent Office (JPO)/IPR for Practitioners, Specializing in Patent, and IP Innovation Special Program by Korean Patent Attorneys Association and jointly organized by University of California Davis and Seoul National University. He speaks frequently at seminars and workshops on the subject of patent practice, interpretation of patent claims, patent search, trademark, industrial design, copyright and other IP topics. He is also a panel judge for IP evaluation and business pitching sessions for numerous corporations, universities and research institutes. He also currently serves on Board of Directors for a university spin-off, contributing to the strategic direction and governance of innovative intellectual property commercialisation ventures.

Irfan’s advice on the identification of patentable inventions, patent specification drafting, prosecution of Malaysian and overseas patent applications, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights, IP commercialization and enforcement, and freedom to operate are very much sought after by clients and colleagues alike, playing a key role in clientele’s decision-making processes for product launches both in Malaysia and foreign markets.

Over the past 13 years, Irfan has helped many clients, including universities, businesses, corporations, governments, and government agencies, on the transfer of technology and IP commercialisation matters, locally and abroad. He acts as an intermediary or medium between the aforementioned technology suppliers and users who deal with ready-to-use technologies or technologies.

Irfan’s roles include, inter alia, ensuring that scientific and technological developments from the technology suppliers are available to a broader range of users who can then help develop or exploit them. In the course of technology transfer and commercialisation, with the skills of IP rights, commercial awareness, networking, domain product knowledge, negotiation, communication and business development he acquired either formally or informally, Irfan frequently advises clients on the formation of joint ventures, licensing agreements and partnerships as well as preparation of relevant legal instruments (e.g., memorandums, contracts, agreements, etc.) including receivable payments in the form of cash fees, equity and royalties on earned revenues for the respective IP transactions.

With the ability to spark curiosity and commitment to find innovative and win-win research commercialisation outcomes, Irfan is a highly regarded research commercialisation professional, with deep expertise in leading and negotiating major engineering, life science and social sciences deals, particularly in relation to industry partnerships, contracts, licensing, start-ups and spinouts. He has substantial industry experience, sector knowledge and networks. He has enjoyed considerable success in securing deals to support research translation and commercialisation, including from relevant grant schemes and both commercial and venture funding.

Exceptionally knowledgeable, professional and approachable, Irfan is an avid reader and enjoys listening to music.