Life Sciences: IP/Patent Litigation
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 3040 8000About
Provided by Powell Gilbert LLP
Powell Gilbert LLP is a specialist IP law firm. The strength and depth of its life sciences expertise is second to none. Almost all of its lawyers have scientific backgrounds, including to PhD and Masters level in chemistry, biochemistry, immunology and molecular biology. Its team includes some of the leading patent litigators in the life sciences, having been involved in some of the most high-profile cases in the UK and across Europe. This has included representing clients in high-stakes patent cases before the UK courts, whilst also pursuing parallel EPO opposition proceedings and multi-jurisdictional litigation. It has successfully represented clients in cases before all levels of the UK Courts, including to the Supreme Court, and on referrals on the SPC Regulation to the European Court of Justice and the EFTA Court. It also advises on patent licence disputes and on freedom to operate, as well as offering regulatory advice.
Powell Gilbert's expertise spans across medical, agricultural and industrial applications, It has a wealth of experience in advising on pharmaceuticals, formulation technologies, enantiomers and crystalline forms; protein therapeutics; enzymes; monoclonal antibodies; vaccines; viral vectors; stem cells; genetically modified organisms; RNAi; gene-editing technologies, ELISA and nucleic acid-based diagnostics; medical devices; DNA microarrays and nanotechnology, for example.
Chambers Review
Powell Gilbert is devoted entirely to IP and a leading destination for life sciences companies. It has one of the finest patent litigation practices in the world, acting on behalf of innovators and generics. The team advises on all facets of patent life-cycle management, and is experienced in providing regulatory and patent advice on product launches and corporate acquisitions.
Work Highlights
- Powell Gilbert continue to act for Biogen in its dispute with Sandoz and Polpharma, concerning their biosimilar to Biogen’s Tysabri antibody drug used to treat multiple sclerosis.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Powell Gilbert provide an unparalleled experience with excellent in-depth skills throughout the team."
"Powell Gilbert are a go-to IP firm. The work product is top-notch, they are incredibly smart and responsive. They really know our business and get excellent results."
"One of the premier firms in the UK for patent litigation, Powell Gilbert have really smart lawyers with strategic thinking and great technical understanding of life sciences."
"Powell Gilbert provide an unparalleled experience with excellent in-depth skills throughout the team."
"Powell Gilbert are a go-to IP firm. The work product is top-notch, they are incredibly smart and responsive. They really know our business and get excellent results."
"One of the premier firms in the UK for patent litigation, Powell Gilbert have really smart lawyers with strategic thinking and great technical understanding of life sciences."
Notable Practitioners
Penny Gilbert is celebrated for her magisterial handling of patent infringement and revocation cases for clients spanning emergent biotechnology companies and global pharmaceutical corporations.
"Penny is always peerless."
"Our go-to partner. Penny has a deep understanding of UK law."
Zoë Butleris recognised for her adept stewardship of patent litigation before the courts and also proceedings before the UK and EU registries.
"Our go-to partner. Zoe is very useful in cross-jurisdictional work."
Bethan Hopewell takes a leading role in medical use patent disputes, litigation concerning DNA sequencing and licensing arrangements. She also regularly supports clients before the EPO.
"Bethan is on top of everything, she is hard-working and meticulous. She does a good job understanding the clients' needs and coming up with strategy."
"Bethan is exceptionally responsive, smart and understands the long-term strategy. The thought process and work product is exceptional and practical."
"Bethan is tactically smart and easy to work with."
Ranked Lawyers at
Powell Gilbert LLP
UK-wide
Members
Provided by Powell Gilbert LLP
Alex Wilson
Bethan Hopewell
Head of Department
Peter Damerell
Siddharth Kusumakar
Simon Ayrton
Tim Whitfield
Tom Oliver
Clients
Provided by Powell Gilbert LLP
Actavis
BioNTech
Biogen
Coloplast A/S
Edwards Lifesciences
Elekta
Forty Seven Inc.
Garmin
GlaxoSmithKline
Illumina Inc
Kymab
Napp Pharmaceuticals / Mundipharma
NuCana
Royalty Pharma
UCB Biopharma
Vivagro SARL
Industries
Provided by Powell Gilbert LLP
Agriculture / plants
Biotech
Chemicals
Medical devices
Pharma
Regenerative medicine