ir. Kris Pappaert, PhD

Kris Pappaert holds a Master of Science in Bio-engineering Sciences and a PhD in Applied Sciences (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium, Transport Modelling and Analytical Separation Science group, Department Chemical Engineering), under Prof. Dr. ir. Gert Desmet.

After two years as a postdoctoral researcher at the same department, Kris joined the team of De Clercq & Partners in 2007. In 2011, he qualified as a European Patent Attorney. In 2023, Kris successfully obtained the Certificate on Patent Litigation in Europe from the University of Maastricht. He has been registered as a representative before the Unified Patent Court (UPC).

In 2019, Kris was named MIP Rising Star in Intellectual Property and has since 2020 been named as MIP notable practitioner.

Since 2025, Kris is a Junior Partner at our firm.

Areas of practice

• Drafting and filing of European and PCT patent applications
• Worldwide prosecution of national patent applications
• Drafting and prosecution of national patent applications
• Drafting, filing and prosecuting oppositions and appeal proceedings before the EPO
• Oppositions and appeal proceedings before the EPO
• Oral proceedings before the EPO in examination and opposition and before the Boards of Appeal
• Opinions regarding patentability, freedom-to-operate, infringement and validity of intellectual property rights
• Patent literature searching and analysis
• Tailored 'Patent Landscape' studies for detailed reviews of R&D trends, technology scouting or strategic portfolio alignment
• IP due diligence
• Expert before the Belgian court in IP proceedings (including descriptive seizure proceedings)
• Litigation before Belgian civil courts in intellectual property matters
• General and strategic advice in IP matters
• Acting as an European Patent Litigator before the Unified Patent Court (UPC)

Since 2014, Kris is a guest lecturer on Intellectual Property at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) where he introduces Intellectual Property matters to students in Master of Science in Bio-Engineering Sciences.

Languages

Kris is a native Dutch speaker, is fluent in English and French, and has knowledge of Spanish and German.

Competences

Kris has a general scientific and working experience in various fields of technology including life sciences, chemistry, food technology and engineering and, more specifically, application in biotechnology, pharmacology, analytical (bio)chemistry, diagnostic and prognostic methods and tools, medical devices and micro- and nanotechnology but also chemical engineering and processing, catalyst technology, mechanical engineering and construction.