Mishcon de Reya

Firm overview:

Mishcon de Reya’s established IP practice is one of the largest in the UK, comprising over 50 lawyers. The patent team operates within the firm’s Innovation department and acts for clients across a range of technology-rich sectors including AI, life sciences, engineering, and automotive. An integrated blend of UK solicitors, UK/European patent attorneys and Unified Patent Court (UPC) representatives provides high-quality services from earliest stages of the patent lifecycle through to multi-jurisdictional litigation campaigns.

Mishcon’s 2023 merger with Taylor Vinters created a sizeable patent prosecution practice, as well as adding IP disputes partners and High Court patent cases to an existing busy docket. The firm’s non-contentious capabilities include counselling on new product launches and freedom to operate, patentability advice, invention harvesting and the exploitation of patents through commercial agreements.

Also well-known for patent litigation, the firm handles a significant volume of cases at the UK High Court and UPC, including a number of important and complex patent actions. Lateral hires in recent years of experienced patent litigators have also increased caseloads at the firm. Peers commend the practice for its “innovative” ways of working, while others note Mishcon’s persistent, combative litigation style.

Team overview:

Mishcon de Reya’s UK patent team is based in the firm’s ‘golden triangle’ offices of London, Cambridge and Oxford. At the helm is head of IP and chair of the Patent Group David Rose, who has won both patent and trademark cases at the highest courts in the UK and EU, including the Court of Justice of the European Union. Noted for his robust litigation style, Rose is described by an industry counterpart as “extremely knowledgeable and has a sharp mind”.

Patent experts on the team include Patrick Farrant, a partner in the Innovation department who has a particular focus on the life sciences sector and skill in negotiating strategically important and complex biotechnology and IP deals.

Partner Gareth Dickson is well regarded for his dispute resolution practice, and resolves a broad range of contentious IP matters in a variety of fora with a focus on online businesses and digital technologies.

Also a leading litigator, London partner Campbell Forsyth acts for clients in complex and cross-border patent disputes before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Described as “so creative” and “very, very sharp”, Campbell is praised for his out-of-the-box litigation strategies, and has been appointed as a deputy high court judge of England & Wales in the Chancery Division.

One of the firm’s notable recent hires, Yael Givon joined the firm in March 2025 as a managing associate and brings both in-house and private practice experience to the firm, as well as significant life sciences expertise.

Key matters:

• Patent prosecution advice—Featurespace

Mishcon is assisting Featurespace in obtaining an expanding, global patent portfolio. This has included drafting and filing multiple multi-jurisdictional patent applications related to fintech technology. Led by managing associate Conor McLaughlin and associate Joseph Cammack, the team has been able to obtain swift allowance/grant in this typically challenging technology area in a number of jurisdictions, including the UK and Europe.

Featurespace was recently acquired by Visa in a deal reportedly worth several hundred millions of pounds.

• Multi-programme strategic collaboration—Relation Therapeutics

The team advised Relation Therapeutics on two multi-programme strategic collaborations with GSK, in connection with the identification and validation of novel therapeutic targets for fibrotic disease and osteoarthritis. Under the terms of the deals, Relation will receive a total upfront payment from GSK of $45 million which comprises an equity investment of $15 million. In addition, Relation will be eligible to receive success-based collaboration payments of up to $63 million, as well as potential preclinical, development, commercial, and sales milestone payments averaging $200 million per target across both deals, along with tiered royalties on net sales of products.

The team includes partners Patrick Farrant, James Boyle, Hugo Christie, Gwen Ballin-Reeler and Hayley Cross.

• EPO opposition proceedings—Positec

Mishcon de Reya is instructed on a number of oppositions at the EPO acting for Positec, a global company group that specialises in the production of power tools and lawn and garden equipment. Partner Campbell Forsyth leads the team for the client.

• Damages enquiry—Dr Reddy’s Laboratories

Dr Reddy’s asked Mishcon de Reya to prosecute its claim for compensation under cross undertakings given by Bayer to secure short lived interim injunctions pending the outcome of trial and appeal proceedings concerning the validity of its Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) dosage patent.

The patent was revoked following trial. Bayer’s appeal, and application to the Supreme Court for permission to appeal, were both unsuccessful.

Handling the matter are partner David Rose and of counsel Justin Lambert.

Clients:

Acurable, Aylo Premium, DIOsynvax, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (UK), Featurespace, Heraeus Noblelight, Hotpod Yoga, Luye Pharma, NewPath, Omnibus, Relation Therapeutics, Positec, ThoughtRiver, Trinominal Global, Wayve Technologies, Zentiva, Zuru