Profile
Charles Boulakia is a partner of Ridout & Maybee LLP in the firm’s Toronto office. His practice is principally directed towards the preparation and prosecution of patent applications in the biotechnology, chemistry, biofuel, oil and gas and pharmaceutical areas. Charles provides his clients with IP due diligence, validity, and freedom to operate opinions. Charles also drafts and negotiates license agreements and occasionally advises on food and drug regulatory law, including product labelling and advertising. Previous to his career in law, Charles worked briefly in venture capital, “big pharma”, and for the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Charles is Vice-Chair of the AIPPI Standing Committee on Pharma and Biotechnology and the Treasurer of the Royal Canadian Institute for Science. He provides pro bono advice on IP law for the Law and Business Clinic at Ryerson University, volunteers on the selection committee for the Norman Esch Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award and is a mentor at the University of Toronto Entrepreneurship Hatchery.

Education
B.Sc. (Biochemistry), 1993, McGill University;
M.Sc. (Biochemistry), 1996, McGill University, McGill Cancer Research Centre;
Combined M.B.A./LL.B., 2000, University of Western Ontario (Gold Medallist);
Barrister & Solicitor, Province of Ontario, 2002;
Registered Trade-mark Agent, Canada, 2004;
Registered Patent Agent, Canada, 2005;
Registered Patent Agent, U.S. (2006) (for Canadian applicants only);

Memberships
Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science (RCIScience) Secretary and member of Council; Ryerson University Law and Business Clinic (Advisor); International Association for the Protection of Industrial Property AIPPI (Pharmaceutical Patent Committee); Intellectual Property Institute of Canada IPIC (Affiliate); Norman Esch Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award (Selection Committee Member); Licensing Executives Society LES Toronto Chapter (Co-Chair 2006-2011)

Areas of Practice
Patents; Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Law; Advertising & Marketing Law