Gowling WLG's life sciences practice is led out of Ottawa by Marc Richard who has long standing expertise in IP litigation, representing clients in the Federal Court, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Divisional Court, the Supreme Court of Canada and various appeal courts. He is well-versed in acting as counsel to international and multinational pharmaceutical companies as well as non-pharma clients for life sciences-related litigation. He is also sought out for his experience as appellate counsel in multi-million dollar claims. The team advises clients on patent litigation, regulatory issues as well as corporate and commercial matters. It has assisted life sciences clients with joint ventures and corporate transactions as well as restructurings and insolvencies. The firm covers a range of life sciences sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology, life systems, Ag-bio and supplements. Christopher Van Barr advises pharmaceutical companies and technology enterprises on patent litigation.
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Key clients
- Bayer
- Bayer Intellectual Property
- Biogen Idec Canada
- Canadian Organization for Rare Discorders
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Galderma Canada
- Genentech
- ITM Isotope Technologies Munich
- Johnson & Johnson
- Lundbeck Canada and Lundbeck
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
- Takeda Canada
- uniQure biopharma
Work highlights
Represented Eli Lilly in successfully defending a claim by Apotex seeking damages related to Eli Lilly's Strattera and its generic atomoxetine product.
Advised ITM on the establishment of Actineer, a joint venture with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) focused on the industrial-scale production of Actinium-225 (²²⁵Ac).
Advised Regeneron and Bayer on a patent litigation regarding the drug Eylea.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Marc Richard
Other key lawyers
Christopher Van Barr