Leading pharma, biotech, and medtech innovators regularly turn to Carpmaels & Ransford LLP for high-profile UK and pan-European patent litigation, UPC actions and SPC litigation. The firm similarly excels in patent prosecution, IP transactions, and EPO opposition. The team is jointly led by patent prosecution-specialist Hugh Goodfellow; Ian Kirby, who advises on multijurisdictional patent litigation and IP disputes; and Matthew Georgiou, who focuses on market exclusivity. Also serving as co-heads, Jake Marshall handles IP and tech transactions; Mark Chapman manages biotech patent portfolios; John Brunner focuses on tech and medical devices EPO opposition; and Roger Lush handles the full trademark lifecycle. Camilla Balleny is no longer at the firm.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'A very deep bench of top-notch partners. They work very collaboratively, so you feel like you are getting the best advice from the person with the most relevant experience. They are responsive and practical. They also travel to the US to visit with their partner firms/clients. We think of them as partners that we can trust and rely on to provide great counsel and service to our US-based clients.'
- 'We work with the solicitors in the dispute resolution team mainly on a pan-European litigation coordination project. Besides being all excellent solicitors, the team is also highly scientifically knowledgeable. We pick them for matters that are high-stakes and workload-heavy. We specifically appreciate their ability to integrate together with us in highly efficient and collaborative teams as trusted partners.'
- 'Great team of individuals that have all proven to be reliable and supportive patent attorneys. Their life science department is especially impressive.'
- 'Stephen Duffield and Cameron Marshall are, for me, the outstanding partners in this firm. I had the honour to work with them but also "against" them. Accordingly, both individuals are very fair and collegial colleagues. Stephen is certainly the mastermind in very complex biotech cases, and Cameron is in the top league in pharma matters.'
- 'We are working with the fantastic team of Simon Llewellyn, including Selina Badiani, Aled Richards-Jones, Nikkie Xu and Sophie Leppington, all of which we can wholeheartedly recommend at their respective levels for their exceptional legal expertise and client dedication. Simon leads his team so that everyone works seamlessly together, with a commitment to achieve the desired outcome.'
- 'Hugh Goodfellow has a great manner and inspires confidence in clients. He manages his team very well. David Holland and Stephen Duffield are both very strong with particular expertise in antibody and opposition work.'
‘Edward Oates, Simon Llewellyn and Paul Kaufman have an amazing understanding of European litigation and SPC strategy. They have also formed large teams and effectively expanded them to cover very diverse and complicated technical fields.’
‘Harvey Adams is exceptional. He has a unique ability to quickly grasp the key points of a complex fact pattern and then leverage his understanding into winning arguments. Harvey can find the music in a cacophony of noise.’
'A very talented team. The partners give each matter significant personal attention.'
Key clients
- Sanofi
- Johnson & Johnson
- Novartis
- Janssen Biotech
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
- Takeda
- Gilead Sciences
- KalVista Pharmaceuticals
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals
- Bristol Myers Squibb
- bioMérieux
- Abbott Laboratories
- CSL
- Eli Lilly
- GH Research
- Guardant health
- Hubrecht Organoid Technology
- Incyte Corp
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals
- Jazz
Work highlights
Represented Sanofi and Regeneron in the first-ever UPC revocation decision of the Central Division UPC. The revocation action was assigned a value of €100 million.
Served as Johnson and Johnson's European defence counsel in relation to numerous high-value medicines, including the pancreatic cancer drugs ERLEADA® and AKEEGA®.
Instructed by Takeda to lead and coordinate an SPC and patent matter in preparation for litigation concerning ELVANSE® across Europe.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Hugh Goodfellow; Ian Kirby; Matthew Georgiou; Jake Marshall; Mark Chapman; John Brunner; Roger Lush
Other key lawyers
Edward Oates; Daniel Wise; Jennifer Antcliff; Stephen Duffield; Cameron Marshall; Simon Llewellyn; Selina Badiani; Aled Richards-Jones; Nikkie Xu; Sophie Leppington; David Holland; Paul Kaufman; Harvey Adams