Boult

Firm overview:

Boult is a “very good firm”, acknowledges a peer, with another commenting that they “wouldn’t have any hesitation” about sending patent work to the firm. Founded in 1894, Boult has its roots in the UK but has evolved into a European firm with a global practice. The patent team is particularly noted for its depth of knowledge in life sciences and high-tech.

One of the firm’s core strengths is patent prosecution, with the team filing applications in the UK, Germany, and at the European Patent Office (EPO), including international (PCT) applications. Using a network of trusted international agents when needed, the team is typically responsible for over 10,000 patent applications at any given time. Drawing on technical expertise across a broad range of subjects, Boult also provides advice on transactions and licensing arrangements, and assists with invention harvesting to help with the exploitation of ideas.

Harnessing its in-depth knowledge of patents and wide array of subject matter, the firm has an enviable success rate in opposition and appeal proceedings before the EPO. Boult maintains longstanding relationships with leading firms of IP solicitors and barristers to support clients through court processes across Europe and around the world.

Team overview:

Boult is poised to serve clients in pan-European matters with offices in London, Cambridge, Reading, Frankfurt, Madrid, and Munich.

An industry peer rates Rohan Setna and Daniel Weston “very highly”. Setna, a senior partner in London, specialises in European patent oppositions and appeals related to chemistry, materials science and engineering, undertaking 20 to 30 hearings each year before the EPO. Setna is also experienced in revocation and entitlement proceedings before the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO).

Also a London partner, Weston has in-depth knowledge of the food and beverage industry, and has longstanding relationships with clients in the sector. Weston has expertise in complex IP disputes, and advises on freedom-to-operate matters.

Key matters:

• Patent portfolio development—4basebio

Boult worked with biotech company 4basebio to develop an extensive patent portfolio covering the company’s technology in the fields of synthetic DNA and nanoparticle delivery solutions.

In July 2024, the client announced a major equity issuance and secondary sale, raising a total of £69.4 million.

Partner James Legg and patent attorney Olga Bohuszewicz led the team for Boult. 4basebio CEO Heikki Lanckriet said the team had been “instrumental in protecting 4basebio innovations and developing our ever expanding and robust IP estate”.

• UK patent applications—Vodafone

Boult has filed UK patent applications for Vodafone, according to public records from the UKIPO, including one entitled ‘A method, network entity and computer software for configuring a user equipment to measure one or more synchronisation signals and receiving synchronisation’, in August 2024.

• UK patent applications—Caterpillar

Construction and mining equipment giant Caterpillar uses Boult for UK patent application filings, according to UKIPO records.

The firm is listed as representing Caterpillar in an application titled ‘Moldboard modular rail design’, filed in 2024.

• Unified Patent Court patent revocation—Abbott

In July 2024, the Court of First Instance of the UPC ordered the revocation of two European patents held by Dexcom related to continuous glucose monitoring, as part of its dispute with Abbott over the technology.

Dexcom had asserted the patents against Abbott and several of its subsidiaries. The court held that the patents lacked the inventive step.

Advising Abbott was a team led by Taylor Wessing that included Boult partner Daryl Penny, who is based in Reading. According to the firm, Penny, a UPC representative, advised Abbott on the invalidity counterclaim, and attended hearings in Paris and Munich as part of Abbott’s defence team.

Litigation between the companies was settled in December 2024.

Clients:

4basebio, Abbott, Caterpillar, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Vodafone