Pinsent Masons

Firm overview:

Pinsent Masons is a multinational law firm with over 1,500 lawyers across 28 offices in Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. The firm advises on complex multi-jurisdictional matters across a broad range of sectors, with a notable presence in life sciences, technology, and industrial engineering.

The patent team advises on infringement, revocation, damages, freedom to operate, and supplementary protection certificate matters, and supports clients in enforcement strategy across the UK and internationally. The team has recently acted in proceedings before the High Court and Court of Appeal, representing pharmaceutical, diagnostics, and industrial clients.

Team overview:

Pinsent Mason’s team includes lawyers with technical backgrounds across life sciences, chemistry, engineering and software. The firm’s representation of Teva in several significant matters highlights its long-standing relationship with generics pharmaceutical manufacturers. The team also advises clients in diagnostics, biotech, and industrial manufacturing on patent disputes and portfolio strategy.

James Marshall joined the firm as partner in 2023. He focuses on patent litigation in the telecommunications, life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors, with experience in FRAND disputes, patent and IP licensing, and misuse of confidential information. Partner, Christopher Sharp, has a background in chemistry with experience leading and coordinating multi-jurisdictional patent litigation.

Key matters:

• Formycon and another v Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Pinsent Masons represents Formycon and Klinge Biopharma in litigation with Regeneron over the clients’ biosimilar version of aflibercept.

• Oppo v Panasonic

The team represented Oppo in its high-profile dispute with Panasonic over cellular standard-essential patents. The companies signed a global cross-licence agreement in January 2025, ending all disputes worldwide.

• Ericsson v Lenovo

The Pinsent Masons patent team was involved in the widely reported dispute between Ericsson and Lenovo, representing Ericsson alongside Taylor Wessing.

• Patent infringement—Advanced Cell Diagnostics v Molecular Instruments

The team advised Advanced Cell Diagnostics, part of Bio-Techne, in UK patent infringement proceedings against Molecular Instruments concerning RNA sequencing technology, including Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation kits.

Molecular Instruments counterclaimed for invalidity and a trial took place in February 2024. The UK High Court revoked two patents owned by Advanced Cell Diagnostics, dismissed the infringement claims against Molecular Instruments and ordered that Advanced Cell Diagnostics make a costs payment of £1.35 million to Molecular Instruments.

Clients:

Teva Pharmaceuticals, Advanced Cell Diagnostics (Bio-Techne), NHS