Leading IP firm announces new office in Bristol

Leading IP firm announces new office in Bristol

London, United Kingdom, 20 January 2026: As part of its continued UK and European growth, leading full-service European intellectual property (IP) law firm Venner Shipley has opened a new office in Bristol, strengthening its support for businesses operating across the chemical, life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medtech sectors, including those applying artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies.

Located at the heart of a region recognised for scientific excellence and innovation, the Bristol office brings Venner Shipley closer to organisations developing and commercialising new chemical, biological and medical technologies. The expansion reflects continued demand for specialist IP expertise in complex, highly regulated and innovation-driven markets, where intellectual property plays a critical role in protecting investment, enabling collaboration and supporting commercial growth.

The South West is home to world-class universities, advanced manufacturing capability and a dynamic technology ecosystem, with strengths spanning healthcare, synthetic molecules, personalised medicine and bioinformatics within life sciences and pharmaceuticals, alongside medical devices, diagnostics and digital health technologies within the medtech sector. Increasingly, businesses in these sectors are integrating AI and data-led approaches into research, development and product commercialisation, creating new IP challenges and opportunities.

Commenting on the announcement, Siân Gill, Managing Partner at Venner Shipley, said: “Bristol is an exciting hub for innovation and a natural location for our continued growth. The city’s strong links between academia, industry and technology, combined with its strengths in chemistry, life sciences, healthcare and digital innovation, make it an ideal base for supporting businesses developing and commercialising new ideas.

“As specialists across chemical and life sciences IP, including pharmaceuticals, medtech and AI-enabled health technologies, our team is well placed to support organisations as they develop new products, navigate regulatory pathways and expand internationally. We offer a comprehensive IP service covering patents, trade marks, designs and copyright, including IP litigation and licensing, to help organisations achieve their wider commercial goals.”

The Bristol office provides a permanent base for colleagues already working in the region and underpins the firm’s longer-term plans to attract, develop and retain specialist IP talent aligned with the needs of innovation-led and research-driven businesses. With many clients operating internationally, Venner Shipley’s integrated UK and European presence enables the firm to support IP strategy consistently across borders.

The Bristol office further strengthens Venner Shipley’s presence across the UK and Europe, joining existing offices in London, Cambridge, Guildford, Manchester, Tunbridge Wells, Oxford, Madrid and Munich.

For more information about Venner Shipley and its full-service IP offering, visit www.vennershipley.com.