TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
A specialist in life sciences and technology, Bristows LLP is well-equipped to deliver ‘pragmatic, risk-based advice’ to global pharma, biotech and medical device companies on regulatory matters and licensing, collaboration, and M&A transactions. Its dedicated IP litigation team is recognised for leveraging scientific knowledge to ’tactical advantage’ in precedent-setting cases before UK and European courts. The ‘dedicated’ team is led by experienced patent litigator Liz Cohen and Richard Dickinson, who focuses on commercial transactions and IP advisory. Brian Cordery and Robert Burrows are renowned for their patent litigation experience, while Adrian Chew handles patent enforcement and validity matters. Alex Denoon is ’extremely knowledgeable’ in regulatory matters, especially concerning disruptive technologies, while Xisca Borrás specialises in EU and UK life sciences law. The ‘outstanding’ Claire Smith advises on a range of life sciences transactions alongside Matthew Warren. Competition expert Robert Vidal arrived from Pinsent Masons LLP in January 2025. Gemma Barrett is no longer at the firm.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Profile
Work Department
Patent Litigation
Position
Liz is a highly experienced and well regarded IP specialist with a focus on counselling clients in the Life Sciences sector on national and international patent strategy and litigation.
With over 20 years’ experience, Liz is a sought after adviser for Pharmaceutical, Biotech and Medical Devices companies alike and has represented companies in the Life Sciences industry in patent matters in the English Courts all the way up to the Supreme Court. Her extensive experience of coordinating cross-border litigation within Europe and beyond means that her strategic advice is particularly valued making her a trusted commercial adviser to her many clients. Liz is a qualified solicitor advocate, a qualification she has used successfully to obtain an interim injunction on short notice in the High Court.
Liz's background in Natural Sciences provides her with an excellent understanding of the technical and commercial issues facing those operating in the life sciences industry. Liz regularly advises clients on the implications of the proposed Unitary Patent and the Unified Patent Court and played an integral part in representing the alleged infringer in the much publicised Bristows UPC real-time mock action.
Liz’s work is regularly published in industry journals and she is also a member of EPLAW, EPLIT, and CIPA, sitting on the CIPA Life Sciences Committee. She is frequently asked to comment and lecture on legal issues affecting the Life Sciences Sector and she is a regular speaker at international conferences on strategic considerations for European and International patent litigation. Liz is a tutor on the Oxford University Diploma in Intellectual Property law and Practice course, teaching patent litigation.
Career
Solicitor Advocate 2005
Qualified 2001
Partner 2008
Joint Managing Partner 2017
Memberships
EPLAW, EPLIT and CIPA and sits on the CIPA Life Sciences Committee.
Education
University of Cambridge (MA Natural Science)
University of Bristol (Diploma in IP Law and Practice)
Solicitor Advocate
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Bristows' patent litigators are excellent, highly motivated and hard-working. As a team, they are particularly good at a deep understanding of the relevant technology and applying that knowledge to tactical advantage in litigation. Moreover, the people are down-to-earth and fun to work with, which makes a real difference. I have worked with almost every other top-tier patent litigation firm in London, and Bristows is a definite leader in the field.’
‘Very knowledgeable and very commercial; always delivering pragmatic, risk-based advice to support our business.’
Key clients
- Syncona
- Telix Pharmaceuticals
Work highlights
Advised Touchlight Genetics Limited on English patent litigation over entitlement to patents related to its novel processes for the in vitro production of doggy-bone DNA used in the production of vaccines.