Life Sciences: IP/Patent Litigation | UK

Bristows has a superb patent litigation and IP practice. It provides excellent advice on UK and European regulatory frameworks and also commercial and corporate transactions for emerging innovators as well as giants of the life sciences industry. It is a leading destination for advice with regard to digital health and medtech, and associated data privacy issues.

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.

Allen & Overy has magic circle corporate resources combined with a deep commitment to the life sciences sector. The team has one of the most formidable patent litigation practices in the UK and Europe, and has recently taken cases before the Supreme Court. It advises on many of the most significant transactions of the day, and the firm draws on its international footprint to handle work in multiple jurisdictions including emerging markets.

Bird & Bird has one of the finest IP and patent litigation practices in the world, routinely coordinating complex cross-border disputes. It has a deep and longstanding involvement in life sciences, with expertise in regulatory and compliance matters and commercial transactions in the sector. The team also advises on IP-led M&A and investment deals.

Herbert Smith Freehills provides an excellent patent litigation offering for biotech and pharmaceuticals companies, and is best known for defending against generic challenges. It is very strong on the interaction of IP law with competition and EU law. The team also advises on IP licensing and freedom-to-operate exercises, and demonstrates expertise in UK and EU pharmaceuticals regulations.

Hogan Lovells has a celebrated patent litigation practice which acts largely for innovators in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical devices. It is also one of the finest product liability defence practices serving the sector. The team is supported by the Hogan Lovells Science Unit, postdoctoral scientists who advise the legal team on complex technical issues. It is also noted for its transatlantic capability, complemented by its FDA practice in Washington, DC.

Kirkland & Ellis has a highly reputable patent litigation practice with profound expertise in life sciences. The firm has all but unmatched experience in disputes concerning biological products and small molecules, as well as those pertaining to medical devices. The team is also able to provide high-level branding advice concerning the UK and EU, as well as regulatory insights.

Pinsent Masons has a sophisticated and successful patent litigation practice, which is particularly popular with generics manufacturers. The team has experience in representing clients in parallel proceedings before the European Patent Office and the EU Intellectual Property Office. The group is also engaged in life sciences, advising on licensing, M&A deals and securities offerings.

Simmons & Simmons handles UK and European patent litigation, including disputes concerned with biosimilars and SPCs. It has sector-specific expertise with regard to licensing agreements of all kinds, M&A deals, joint ventures and IPOs.

Taylor Wessing has an excellent transactional practice built on years of commitment to the sector, advising on collaboration, licensing, corporate and venture capital deals. It has a powerful patent litigation offering acting for generics and also branded manufacturers, which has pioneering experience handling cases involving biosimilar products. The team is also recommended for EPO patent oppositions.

Carpmaels & Ransford has a well-established IP practice, with expert patent and trade mark attorneys as well as solicitors acting for a range of clients in the life sciences sector. In addition to acting on patent prosecution and disputes, the team also offers support on the IP aspects of transactions between biotech and pharmaceuticals companies.

Freshfields has a well-known patent litigation practice. It represents clients on a broad range of patent-related matters such as patent infringement and licensing disputes. The firm has additional expertise in product liability defence and can draw upon its wider IP and commercial resources to support on transactions in the sector.

Gowling WLG's sterling commercial life sciences practice is recommended for complex licence, research and collaboration agreements. The firm is excellent for corporate and investment transactions involving spin-offs. It also recognised for biotech and pharmaceutical patent litigation including disputes involving applications for SPCs, and draws on the firm's international presence to provide life sciences expertise across multiple jurisdictions.

Linklaters has a highly regarded transactional practice supported by magisterial knowledge of IP law in the context of life sciences. The firm is also highlighted for the quality of its patent litigation offering. A magic circle firm with the resources to handle the most complex and multi-jurisdictional deals and disputes, the team acts for drug and therapeutics innovators, hi-tech giants and financial institutions investing in the sector.

Marks & Clerk advises leading pharmaceutical, biotech and medical technology companies on high-stakes patent litigation. The firm works at the frontier of new developments in patent law, such as the applicability of Arrow declarations. It is also noted for advising on SPC filing and protection, and is allied to an excellent network of patent attorneys.