US firm Goodwin set up in Cambridge in 2020 with a series of eye-catching hires; the team now provides both domestic and international clients with a full suite of services, among which the development, protection and enforcement of IP portfolios is a prime focus. Since joining from Taylor Wessing LLP, Malcolm Bates and Tim Worden have built a strong presence for the firm in the life sciences IP market, with work for prestigious clients on licensing matters, commercialisation, patent strategy and IP due diligence in financings, acquisitions, IPOs and collaborations. Associate Georgia Powell handles non-contentious IP and commercial matters, with a focus on the life sciences, technology and healthcare sectors.
Intellectual property in East Anglia
Goodwin
Practice head(s):
Malcolm Bates; Tim Worden
Other key lawyers:
Georgia Powell
Key clients
MiNA Therapeutics
Cycle Pharmaceuticals
Engitix
Wren Therapeutics
Moderna
Avacta Group plc
Imperial College Innovations
SpyBiotech
Oxford Biomedica plc
Bone Therapeutics
Work highlights
- Advised MiNA Therapeutics Limited on its collaboration and license partnership with Les Laboratoires Servier, relating to the identification, development and commercialisation of small activating RNA therapies for the treatment of neurological disorders.
- Advised Engitix Limited on its new Licence and Collaboration Agreement with Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd to develop anti-fibrotic therapies in advanced liver diseases.
- Advised Oxford Biomedica on its development, manufacture and licence agreement with Beam Therapeutics.
Mills & Reeve LLP
Mills & Reeve LLP has a strong presence in the technology, life sciences, automotive, food and agriculture, education and sport sectors, with the firm's work encompassing both IP disputes and commercial IP agreements, R&D and collaboration contracts, branding, technology transfer arrangements, IP licensing and exploitation for both domestic and international clients. Mark Pearce, who works in both Leeds and Cambridge, leads the practice, which calls upon the skills of Cambridge-based head of life sciences James Fry, who frequently handles research and technology collaborations and intellectual property licensing matters. Consultant Alasdair Poore and principal associate Richard Plaistowe, along with trade mark attorney Nicola Hanglin, also play central roles in the practice.
Practice head(s):
Mark Pearce
Other key lawyers:
James Fry; Alasdair Poore; Richard Plaistowe; Nicola Hanglin
Testimonials
‘Mills & Reeve is professional, responsible and creative in their handling of IP matters.’
‘Nicola Hanglin is part of an effective team. They quickly and efficiently handle our trademark needs.’
Key clients
The Binding Site
Domino Printing Sciences Plc
IELTS Australia Pty Limited, the British Council, and University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate
Queen Mary University of London
AVEVA Group PLC
Cobra Biologics
ADC Biotechnology
Sagentia
F-star Therapeutics
Casella Family Brands (Europe) Limited/ Casella Wines Pty Ltd
GlaxoSmithKline
Kinomica Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Diurnal Group on the out-licensing of its first drug candidate (Alkindi) to Eton Pharmaceuticals for US markets.
- Managing the worldwide trade mark and design portfolio for Domino Printing Sciences Plc and their group companies.
- For All Fill International Limited, handling a multi-jurisdictional trademark dispute involving four sets of proceedings.
Stobbs IP
Stobbs IP has a unique offering as a niche IP practice specialising in trade marks and brand management. With more than 110 fee earners across its Cambridge, London, Sheffield and Munich offices, the firm focuses on intangible asset management and blends both IP legal expertise with in-depth business knowledge to provide 'practical, commercial advice balancing the legal landscape with business needs'. In Cambridge, 'highly skilled' founder Julius Stobbs, head of legal Chris Sleep, head of litigation Geoff Steward and director Chris Hawkes are 'highly innovative business advisers with a very proactive and holistic approach, who give clear and real world advice which is perfectly suited to clients' needs'.
Practice head(s):
Julius Stobbs; Chris Sleep; Geoff Steward
Other key lawyers:
Chris Hawkes
Testimonials
‘The Stobbs team is highly skilled at providing practical, commercial advice and at balancing the legal landscape with our business needs.’
‘Julius Stobbs is exceptional. Not only is he highly skilled at legal analysis and strategy, but he is consistently both engaged and engaging. ’
‘Highly innovative business advisers – not traditional lawyers in how they operate. Very proactive and holistic approach, really getting under the skin of the business and tailoring their advice and recommendations accordingly. They’ve developed a docket, data and case management platform and they are also developing a customer-facing management tool.’
‘Chris Sleep – really trusted and responsive; takes time to thoroughly explain and strategise particular courses of action.’
‘I get very clear and real world advice which is perfectly suited to our needs. It distills a fairly technical and specialist area into something I can understand and work with quickly.’
‘An interesting range of people from different backgrounds. It has the more personal touch of a boutique firm but incorporating expertise of lawyers from bigger City firms. Very impressive use of technology and tailored their technology solution to meet specific our client needs. Very competitive on price and tailored their invoicing arrangements to meet our very specific and bespoke needs.’
‘Hugely impressed with Julius Stobbs and Geoff Steward. Clearly both are excellent technical lawyers but they provide their advice in a very commercial way and have a real ability to deliver complex advice in a simple and easily understood way.’
Key clients
7-Eleven
AB InBev
AG Barr
All Saints
ASOS
Automobil Lamborghini SPA
Balfour Beatty
Beiersdorf AG
Boots
Bullguard
BUPA
Cambridge University
Cancer Research UK
Capri Sun
Channel 4
Citco Converse
Combe International (Vagisil)
Corelle Brands LLC
Corkers Crisps
Distinctive Wholesale
District Financial Limited
DKNY
Energizer Holdings Inc
England & Wales Cricket Board
Eton College
Faber & Faber
Federal Mogul
Ford Motor Co.
Garrard & Company
General Mill
Giesswein
Glencairn Crystal
Glencore
GoPro
Grandmaster Flash
Great Ormond Street Hospital
GVC Services Limited
Harley-Davidson
Iglo Foods
Informa Plc
Jack Daniels
Jagex Limited
John Varvatos
Just Eat
LADBible
Liverpool Football Club
Macmillan Publishers
Marks & Spencer
Mars Wrigley
McDonalds
Meyer Bergman
Moonbug Entertainment
Work highlights
- Appointed as UEFA’s international firm for trade mark portfolio and infringement work after a tender process involving over 100 law firms.
- Following a review and audit of Jagex’s IP portfolio, devising a sophisticated and tailored global brand protection strategy for all key brand assets relating to well known games RuneScape, Old School RuneScape and new up-coming game titles.
- The firm has developed a technology platform working with AB InBev to provide a technical solution for monitoring the non-use vulnerability of AB InBev’s 60,000 strong trade mark portfolio covering over 500 brands in nearly 200 countries.
Taylor Vinters
Taylor Vinters has a six-partner IP practice spread across its offices in Cambridge, London and, since 2020, Oxford. The firm is focused on innovation across numerous industrial sectors, including technology and life sciences, and provides a comprehensive service covering all aspects of IP from the registration and licensing of IP rights to their commercialisation and protection. Patrick Farrant and Louisa Dixon lead the Cambridge team, in which IP disputes specialist Gareth Dickson and senior associate Jo Eales, who handles trade mark clearance and prosecution matters, are key practitioners. Farrant assisted Stemnovate Limited with a new patent application for a rapid diagnostic kit for Covid-19.
Practice head(s):
Patrick Farrant; Louisa Dixon
Other key lawyers:
Gareth Dickson; Jo Eales
Key clients
The Estate of Professor Stephen Hawking
Endomagnetics Limited
Smart Separations Limited
River Lane Research Ltd
Clarity Pharma Ltd
Fox News Network, LLC (agency)
Calipsa Limited
Y1 Group Limited
Secondmind Limited
Stemnovate Limited
Eezifeed Limited
Meaco Limited
HS Vision Limited
Meridian Audio Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Smart Separations Limited in relation to its trade mark and design filing strategy.
- For Stemnovate Limited, drafting and filing a new patent application for the rapid diagnostic kit for COVID.
- Advised HS Vision Limited and prepared the national phase of its PCT application, alongside prosecution of the UK patent application.
Taylor Wessing LLP
Advice on IP strategy, acquisition, enforcement and commercialisation is a core part of Taylor Wessing LLP's global practice, in which the Cambridge office plays a pivotal role. The group - which is led by Adrian Toutoungi, 'a strategic visionary with unrivalled intellect, knowledge and expertise' - acts for spin-outs, early-stage and multinational companies in the life sciences and technology sectors, as well as their investors. Tasmina Goraya, who specialises in compliance and regulatory matters, and Colin McCall, who handles transactional IP matters for life sciences and medtech clients, are key partners. Associate Charlie Adams, who joined from Mills & Reeve LLP, specialises in patents law in the life sciences and technology sectors, while senior associate Nabil Assad, a hire from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, provides IP and regulatory advice.
Practice head(s):
Adrian Toutoungi
Other key lawyers:
Tasmina Goraya; Colin McCall; Charlie Adams; Nabil Assad
Testimonials
‘Very strategic. They take the time to truly understand a client.’
‘Adrian Toutoungi is a strategic visionary. He has unrivalled intellect, knowledge and expertise, but is very approachable and easy to talk to.’
‘One of the strengths of Taylor Wessing is their strong brand recognition and reputation in the life sciences sector. Having Taylor Wessing represent us immediately provided a certain level of credibility for our new spinout venture. We have been very delighted with our team’s expertise and patience guiding us through the company formation process. Taylor Wessing’s track record, industry knowledge and BD/VC connections were and continue to be motivating factors in our engagement with them.’
‘Being a new startup, and having negotiated a capped fee due to our stage and funding, we did not anticipate anything close to this level of commitment, especially knowing the size and level of other deals they had on their plate. g. We are very excited they will be along for the ride as part of the family as we grow and scale our company.’
Key clients
SciBite Limited (shareholders of)
Exvastat Limited
TranSINE Therapeutics Limited
Cycle Pharmaceuticals
Start Codon cohort companies
Nuclera
Cambridge Innovation Capital
The Faraday Institution
Abbott Laboratories
Sigilon Therapeutics
Birketts LLP
Birketts LLP is 'efficient, commercial and extremely helpful’ and acts for a host of large companies in the region, among them the UK's largest brewer and pub retailer Greene King Plc. Legal director Nellie Jackson in Ipswich leads the trade marks and branding team, while legal director Maria Peyman in Cambridge leads the IP disputes practice. Cambridge-based partner Quentin Golder leads the non-contentious IP group, which hired Andrew Priest from HCR Hewitsons in 2020. The team focuses on the commercial exploitation of IP rights, including patent licensing, development agreements, merchandising and collaborations. Associate Samantha Woodley is 'very helpful, patient and excellent to work with'.
Practice head(s):
Nellie Jackson; Maria Peyman; Quentin Golder
Other key lawyers:
Samantha Woodley; Andrew Priest
Testimonials
‘Excellent service and knowledge of the construction sector and dealing with academia.’
‘Both Samantha Woodley and Quentin Golder deserve mentions as both are very helpful, patient and excellent to work with. ’
‘The intellectual property team at Birketts is very responsive and willing to assist with our international portfolio. The global network of trade mark lawyers is impressive and supportive to the planning and co-ordination activities of the UK team. ’
‘Nellie Jackson portrays the helpful and productive culture that Birketts as a firm generates.’
‘Efficient, commercial and extremely helpful.’
‘Nellie Jackson – helpful, commercial, clear and concise.’
‘The practice looks to recruit and positions experts in their particular fields, so you always have confidence that you are dealing with a person with the relevant skills and experience to resolve disputes.’
‘Maria Peyman helped guide us though a tricky trade mark dispute. Maria has been courteous and diligent in her work, with the difficult situation around Covid, Maria has always been available via differing media, and we have flipped between email, video and phone communications as have been required. Maria is very professional and clear on the end result we work towards.’
‘Clear advice delivered in a practical way that laymen can understand.’
‘Maria Peyman is client-orientated and skilled.’
Key clients
Greene King Limited
Kanlaon Limited
Big Drop Brewing Company Limited
Hayman Group Limited/Burlington Drinks Company
Sophie Allport Limited
Omega Ingredients Limited
Galileo Foundation
Marks & Clerk
Marks & Clerk‘s Cambridge team is ‘very knowledgeable and helpful‘. The office is part of one of the largest IP firms in the UK, which has a deep bench of lawyers, patent attorneys and trade mark attorneys operating out of nine offices across the UK. Simon Portman and Michael Moore lead the commercial IP transactions practice, in which associate Rayyan Mughal plays a key role. The practice handles the IP commercialisation, IP strategy, due diligence, brand protection, portfolio management, commercial contracts and industry-specific regulatory issues, particularly for companies in the technology and life sciences sectors.
Practice head(s):
Simon Portman; Michael Moore
Other key lawyers:
Rayyan Mughal
Testimonials
‘We found the team and Simon Portman in particular to be very knowledgeable and helpful.’
Key clients
XR Nation
Fluoretiq
Downing College, Cambridge
DS Smith Packaging
Prokarium
John Innes Centre
Cambridge Enterprise
Astero LLC
Rothamsted Research Institute
Alzheimer Scotland
DS Bio
Era Home Security
Prym Intimates
UCL Business
University of Birmingham
K-Sport
Tannoi
Work highlights
- Assisted Reagent Genie in rapidly setting up an international distribution network for COVID-19 test kits in the space of 2-3 weeks.
- Advised a number of Cambridge colleges in relation to transitioning their training courses from face-to-face to online offerings as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Advised Alzheimer Scotland in relation to its “Purple Alert” app for caring for and monitoring Alzheimer’s patients including.
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has a six-partner IP practice across its London, Oxford and Cambridge offices, and it advises on patents, designs, trade marks, copyright and rights in confidential information, particularly in the publishing and life sciences sectors. The team combines specialists with contentious and non-contentious expertise and Rachel Bradley, who leads the Cambridge team, has more than 15 years’ experience, including a stint as corporate counsel for a pharmaceutical company. Associate Natasha Bowyer Irvine focuses on drafting commercial agreements, including IP licences, for clients in the life sciences sector.
Practice head(s):
Rachel Bradley
Other key lawyers:
Natasha Bowyer Irvine
Testimonials
‘Rachel Bradley has expertise in structuring supplier services agreements.’
‘Natasha Bowyer Irvine showed the dedication to include multiple features to a new agreement template.’
Key clients
The Company of Biologists Limited
Cytocell Limited
Seisma Magazine Ltd
Wren Therapeutics Limited
Institution of Chemical Engineers
Cambridge Commodities Limited
King’s College London
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
Galvanize Bio Ltd
Cambridge Design Partnership
Genestack Limited
Oxford Cannabinoid Technology
Work highlights
- Regularly advising The Company of Biologists on all of its commercial and IP issues, and drafting, amending and negotiating all of their commercial and IP agreements to ensure protection of its IP and interests.
- Drafting a suite of templates to ensure a research institute’s IP is properly protected in all of its collaborations with third parties.
- Reviewed and advised the Institute of Chemical Engineers on its publishing agreement with a global publisher. This included reviewing the agreement, advising on the terms, and drafting amendments.
Ashtons Legal
Ashtons Legal acquired Steeles Law in December; key names for IP include corporate partner Richard Bailey , who recently handled a large IP licensing project in the US and Eastern Europe for a UK client in the industrial agriculture sector.
Practice head(s):
Richard Bailey
Work highlights
- Advised an international company on a trademark and copyright infringement, successfully obtaining judgment in the client’s favour and obtained injunctions forcing another company to stop infringing trademarks and to transfer the infringing domain names to the firm’s client.
- Regularly engages with the members of the National Association of Jewellers and advises on a variety of IP related matters including the granting of IP licenses, sub-licenses and other brand protection issues.
Fosters
‘We have been very impressed by the speed of response to our enquiries - this has been a huge asset as we've worked through projects', says a client of Fosters in Norwich. Jamie Arnall and associate Charlotte Darkins, who has a particular focus on IP matters for sports clients, are the main contacts. Darkins recently acted for a Premier League football club on an image rights issue relating to one of its star players, and successfully obtaining registration of a trademark for the The British Basketball League which was had previously been refused by the Intellectual Property Office.
Practice head(s):
Jamie Arnall
Other key lawyers:
Charlotte Darkins
Testimonials
‘We have been very impressed by the speed of response to our enquiries – this has been a huge asset as we’ve worked through projects. The landscape of IT and technology is changing rapidly – I was comforted that the team at Fosters sought out to understand the issue, background and technology prior to finding a solution. We’ve reached solutions that have evaluated the industry, technology and platform, as opposed to a solution that they’ve perhaps used before – they are looking to understand the problem that we have. This is important when we are bringing them problems that are new.’
‘We have been extremely impressed with the work of Charlotte Darkins and Jamie Arnall, both who have help us navigate complex digital contracts. They were quickly able to understand our business, and they also have a breadth of knowledge that has allowed them to assist on a range of IP matters; this has allowed the business to keep moving and provide our clients with confidence that we are trusted advisors. We had a particular project where we used our relationship with Fosters to check a copyright and IP issue and relate this back to our client – this work completed by Charlotte Darkins transformed the outcome of the project and also the perception of us as a basis by the client.’
Key clients
The British Basketball League Limited
Woodforde’s Limited
Norwich City Football Club Plc
Real Project Management Limited
Work highlights
- Providing ongoing advice and support in relation to The British Basketball League’s intellectual property portfolio, successfully obtaining registration of a trademark originally rejected by the Intellectual Property Office.
- Providing ongoing advice and support to our client in relation to its intellectual property portfolio and brand protection strategies.
- Providing ongoing advice and support to our client in relation to its intellectual property portfolio, copyright positions and brand protection strategies with regards to consultants, copyrighters and clients.
Greenwoods Legal
Greenwoods GRM has specialist knowledge of the media sector, particularly magazine and online publishing, which sees the firm involved in complex IP matters. Finance partner Jonathan Reardon in Cambridge, who joined from Al Tamimi & Company, leads the practice along with corporate partner Alastair Gunn and litigation senior associate Jamie McConnell in Peterborough. Their work includes advice to companies on investments and acquisitions involving the development and exploitation of IP, as well as contentious matters and support to early stage companies on the protection, development and licensing of IP rights.
Practice head(s):
Alastair Gunn; Jonathan Reardon; Jamie McConnell