Powell Gilbert LLP has developed a market reputation for high-profile IP litigation and advisory work and is praised for its ‘unparalleled collective knowledge in the life sciences patent litigation field’. Penny Gilbert leads the team and has amassed considerable experience in UK and European patent litigation. Zoë Butler’s board practice extends to patent entitlement disputes. Bethan Hopewell frequently represents clients in technically complex proceedings concerning issues such as therapeutic nucleoside analogues. Tim Whitfield, who divides his practice between London and Dublin, is frequently called upon to co-ordinate multi-jurisdictional patent litigation campaigns.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Firm has an unparalleled collective knowledge in the life sciences patent litigation field.’

  • ‘They combine knowledge with superlative communication skills, excellent experience in their field and an appreciation of the commercial realities.’

Key clients

  • Biogen v AbbVie / Biogen v Fresenius / Biogen v Gedeon Richter
  • Biogen v Sandoz, Polpharma
  • Edwards Lifesciences
  • BioNTech
  • DSM IP ASSETS B.V. & DSM NUTRITIONAL PRODUCTS AG
  • Oxford University Innovation and the University of Oxford
  • Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd
  • Cook Medical
  • NuCana plc
  • MED-EL
  • Glenmark
  • UCB Biopharma SRL, LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG
  • Nador Cott Protection S.A.S.

Work highlights

  • Representing Biogen in litigation over its biosimilar of AbbVie’s blockbuster drug Humira™ – the biggest selling prescription drug worldwide.
  • Representing BioNTech in UK infringement and revocation proceedings concerning multiple EP (UK) patents held by Moderna and CureVac and in proceedings relating to Moderna’s “patent pledge” made at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when it stated that it would not enforce its IP rights.

Lawyers

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Leading partners
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Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Penny Gilbert

Other key lawyers

Tim Powell, Zoë Butler, Bethan Hopewell, Tim Whitfield, Peter Damerell, Tom Oliver, Siddharth Kusumakar, Joel Coles, Tess Waldron, Bryce Matthewson