Practice Areas

Patents, Biotechnology/ Pharmaceutical, Chemical

Qualifications

Université de Montréal B.Sc. (Biochemistry) 1996 (Dean’s List).
Université de Montréal M.Sc. (Biochemistry) 2000; thesis titled Staufen's role in mammalian translation.
Université de Montréal Ph.D. (Biochemistry) 2005; thesis titled Characterization of mRNA transport granules in mammalian neurons.
Registered Patent Agent 2008.

Biography

George Elvira is an associate in our Montreal office. His practice focuses on the preparation and prosecution of patent applications, primarily in the areas of biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmaceuticals and chemistry. Mr. Elvira is also involved in freedom-to-operate (FTO) assessments, in the preparation of patentability, infringement and validity opinions and in providing technical support to our litigation team.

He provides services to a broad range of clients including multinationals, small and medium size companies, universities, hospitals and research institutes.

During Mr. Elvira’s academic career, he received numerous accolades, including grants for excellence in graduate studies and for best graduate oral presentation. He was also recognized with an award for the excellence of his doctorate thesis.

Mr. Elvira is fluent in English and French, as well as Spanish and Portuguese.

Professional Involvement

• Associate, Intellectual Property Institute of Canada
• Member, BIOQuebec

Publications

Auger, A. and Elvira, G.  "Intellectual Property Rights: a Key Asset for Early Stage Biotechnology Companies." The Lawyers Weekly Magazine, February 2008.

Mattar, B. and Elvira, G.  "Marking patented products: practical guidelines for Canadian companies." IP Connections, November/December 2008. 

Elvira, G., Wasiak, S., Blandford, V., Tong, X. K., Serrano, A., Fan, X., del Rayo Sánchez-Carbente, M., Servant, F., Bell, A. W., Boismenu, D., Lacaille, J. C., McPherson, P. S., DesGroseillers, L. and Sossin, W. S. "Characterization of an RNA granule from developing brain." Mol Cell Proteomics, April 2006; 5(4):635-51. Epub December 12, 2005.

Elvira, G., Massie, B. and DesGroseillers, L. "The zinc-finger protein ZFR is critical for Staufen 2 isoform specific nucleocytoplasmic shuttling in neurons." J Neurochem, January 2006; 96(1):105-17. Epub November 8, 2005.

Dugré-Brisson, S., Elvira, G., Boulay, K., Chatel-Chaix, L., Mouland, A. J. and DesGroseillers, L. "Interaction of Staufen1 with the 5' end of mRNA facilitates translation of these RNAs." Nucleic Acids Res., August 26, 2005; 33(15):4797-812. Print 2005.