Noted for its ability to provide ‘great strategic advice’ and its determination ’to leave no stone unturned’, Stephenson Harwood excels in multi-jurisdictional litigation, handling complex mandates for strong players in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. Leading the team is Alexandra Pygall, who draws on her background in chemistry to provide technical advice to a litany of clients. Another name to note in the practice is Rob Jacob, who is highly experienced on the contentious front, as well as Naomi Leach, who strengthens the team’s transactional capabilities. Helen Conlan, who joined from Mishcon de Reya LLP in November 2023, principally focuses on patent litigation in the technology sector. Peter Dalton returned to Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in the same month.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Alexandra Pygall is an exceptionally talented IP lawyer who tirelessly works to ensure a great result for her clients. She has considerable knowledge in all areas of IP law.'
‘A good all-round IP team, strengthened in patent litigation by Helen Conlan recently joining it.’
‘Helen Conlan is an extraordinarily able and tenacious IP litigator with a remarkable ability to grasp highly technical issues in patent litigation.’
‘The team has an unrivalled commercial and practical approach to problem solving; great strategic advice.’
‘Stand-out individual is Alexandra Pygall. She gives great, timely and practical advice to clients; it's great to have such reliable counsel to call on.’
‘Excellent support provided by legal experts. Commercially sensible and pragmatic advice, highly responsive and great engagement.’
‘Highly knowledgeable and determined to leave no stone unturned in order to get the best result.’
‘Alexandra Pygall is a superb lawyer and a pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
- GlaxoSmithKline Plc
- Haleon Plc
- Johnson & Johnson Innovation Limited
- BioNTech SE
- Marks & Spencer Plc
- Katjes Fassin GmbH
- easyGroup Limited
- GAP, Inc.
- Bicycle Therapeutics
- Ancestry.com
Work highlights
- Advised BenevolentAI on its strategic collaboration with Merck to utilise BenevolentAI’s end-to-end AI platform capabilities to deliver novel drug candidates, initially for three targets in oncology, neurology, and immunology.
- Advised Bicycle Therapeutics in parallel on two complex collaboration agreements with Novartis and Bayer respectively to utilise Bicycle's platform to discover and develop novel targeted radionuclide therapies.
Lawyers
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Alexandra Pygall
Other key lawyers
Rob Jacob; Naomi Leach; Helen Conlan