Manager of Patents Division
Professional Qualifications
- B.Sc. (Hons) Petroleum Chemistry (Universiti Putra Malaysia)
Expertise
- Petroleum Chemistry / Petrochemical Industry
- Chemistry (Applied, Organic, Inorganic, Polymer, etc.)
- Chemical Process Technology
Before joining KASS, Kumanan supplemented his strong background in Petroleum Chemistry with stints in the retail, education and oleochemical industries, giving him some familiarity with these varied fields, which has certainly been useful when dealing with our diverse clientele.
At KASS, he has a hand in the continuous improvement of the systems and procedures in the patent department, creating guidelines where necessary to ensure efficient patent prosecution. He contributes to the management of the patent team by thoroughly reviewing adverse report/office action drafts by junior team members, overseeing the training of patent paralegals, and helping the team to identify and bridge gaps in terms of patent knowledge and skills.
Kumanan also handles patent drafting and prosecution for clients involved in the petrochemical industry, chemistry and related fields, and maintains a portfolio of local and international clients. He conducts Freedom to Operate (FTO) analyses, in addition to carrying out prior art, patentability and novelty searches and issuing patent validity and invalidity opinions.