A&O Shearman

Firm overview:

Mega firm A&O Shearman was created in 2024 through the merger of UK magic circle firm Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling from the US. The merger brought together nearly 4,000 lawyers under the new brand. There has been some movement following the merger with the loss of respected brands expert David Stone and two other key IP partners depleting the new firm’s trademarks capability in the UK.

Despite uncertainty over how the new firm’s offering will evolve, there is positive sentiment about the UK patent team—“on the patents side, they’re a good practice”, comments one peer, with another mentioning that the firm has “one of the better European networks as well”.

A&O Shearman’s non-contentious practice advises on patent-related aspects of transactions, including licensing, joint ventures, and IP due diligence. It supports patent-heavy M&A transactions, advises on complex licensing structures and offers portfolio management through their team of patent attorneys and lawyers.

The firm’s patent litigation team is known for handling complex disputes in the UK and across Europe. Its lawyers frequently act in proceedings before the High Court, the European Patent Office (EPO), and the Unified Patent Court (UPC). The team has acted on disputes involving standard-essential patents (SEPs), supplementary protection certificates (SPCs), and second medical use (SMU) claims.

Team overview:

A&O Shearman operates across 48 offices worldwide and its team includes IP specialists with technical expertise in fields such as biotechnology, chemistry, and engineering. The team acts for clients across pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, AI, as well as media and consumer goods. The group includes litigators with experience before the European courts and the UPC.

With Marjar Noor as Lead for the life science sector practice, known as an expert patent all-rounder. Noor is also a prolific speaker and lecturer on regulatory and patent topics.                                                                                         London partners Rafi Allos and Mark Ridgway are key members of the patent team, with experience in representing clients in UK proceedings and with cross-border disputes. Allos specialises in life sciences patent litigation, and advises clients on regulatory issues in the sector.

Key matters:

• Multinational litigation over Xarelto patents—Bayer

A&O Shearman acts for global pharmaceutical company Bayer in its multi-jurisdictional legal battle to defend blockbuster blood thinner Xarelto from generic competition. UK proceedings were conducted in parallel with matters in over 25 European jurisdictions, including France, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia.

London life sciences patent litigator Rafi Allos acted for Bayer.

• AI-driven drug discovery partnerships—Exscientia

A&O Shearman advised Exscientia on a series of strategic collaborations, including a £4.1 billion, multi-target drug discovery partnership with Sanofi. Their work included negotiation of licensing and collaboration terms and guidance on IP ownership.

• Patent portfolio acquisition—Corning/3M

A&O Shearman acted for Corning on its acquisition of 3M’s Fiber and Copper Connectivity Solutions business. The transaction included the transfer of over 1,000 global patent assets, with the team handling the IP due diligence and portfolio transfer arrangements.

• Life sciences M&A—Boston Scientific

A&O Shearman acted for Boston Scientific in its £2.9 billion acquisition of Axonics. The team advised on patent and technology related matters, including patent portfolio review and analysis of Axonic’s proprietary technologies in the treatment.

• Video streaming patent litigation—DISH Technologies v Aylo

A&O Shearman represents US satellite television company DISH Network in infringement proceedings regarding adaptive bitrate video streaming technologies. The case involves coordinated litigation in the UK, Germany and before the UPC.

In the UK, computer scientist turned lawyer Mark Heaney in London and Denise Benz in Munich are advising the client on a trial of the HP-2023-000043 action due to be heard by the Patents Court in December 2025. The patent in claim HP-2024-000009 was revoked in 2024. Mishon de Reya represents the Canadian defendant Aylo, an adult entertainment conglomerate.

• Patent revocation—Regeneron v Amgen

A&O Shearman represented Regeneron in revocation proceedings in the UK regarding patents held by Amgen. The patents related to antibody therapies targeting BCMA and CD3 for treating plasma cell disorders, including multiple myeloma.

Clients:

Bayer, Boston Scientific, Coinbase, Corning, DISH Network, Exscientia, Nestlé Health Science, Regeneron, SS&C Technologies