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, as well as on commercial and corporate transactions for both emerging innovators and 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.

A&O Shearman 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 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.

Freshfields has a well-known patent litigation practice. It represents clients in 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 transactions in the sector.

Hogan Lovells has a celebrated patent litigation practice that 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 that 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.

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 branded manufacturers that 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.

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 is also recognised for biotech and pharmaceutical patent litigation, including disputes involving applications for SPCs, drawing on the its international presence to provide life sciences expertise across multiple jurisdictions.