France Cote

Decode (Canada)

France Côté is a highly respected patent agent registered to practice before both the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. With nearly four decades of experience in intellectual property law, she is recognized for helping innovative organizations transform scientific discovery into strategic business assets.

France advises a diverse client base that spans early-stage start-ups, multinational biotechnology companies, universities, and leading research institutes across North America and internationally. She supports clients through every stage of the patent lifecycle—from drafting and prosecuting patent applications to managing global portfolios and developing long-term intellectual property strategies. Her expertise also extends to conducting due diligence reviews, strengthening patent portfolios, and contributing to prospectus preparation for initial public offerings, ensuring that intellectual property aligns with commercial and investment objectives.

Originally trained in biochemistry, France brings strong scientific depth to her work. Her technical experience covers biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, chemistry, and biochemistry, as well as simple mechanical inventions and business methods. This multidisciplinary perspective enables her to bridge the gap between complex science and practical business strategy—an essential skill in today’s innovation-driven economy.

Beyond her client work, France has played a significant leadership role in shaping the next generation of biotechnology patent professionals. Through her longstanding involvement with the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC) and McGill University, she has served as Assistant Director and Director of the IPIC/McGill Patent Courses and chaired the IPIC/McGill Course Liaison Committee. Her commitment to education reflects her broader dedication to advancing excellence within the profession.

France began her career at Goudreau Gage Dubuc in 1988, later becoming a partner at Swabey Ogilvy Renault and Chair of the Montreal Intellectual Property Group. In 2005, she co-founded the Montreal office of Bereskin & Parr. In 2009, she co-founded BENOÎT & CÔTÉ, which evolved into Décode—an innovative firm focused on strategic intellectual property solutions.

Today, France is widely recognized as a trusted advisor at the intersection of science, law, and business.