Supreme Court awaits showdown between Regeneron and Kymab

UK biotechnology company and Cambridge University-based Sander Centre spin-off Kymab, and US-based biotechnology giant Regeneron, are at the forefront of transgenic mice platform technology. Each company has created two distinct platforms which utilise this technology, named Kymab and VelocImmune respectively. However, advances in mouse-based immunoglobin production is creating disputes before the UK’s patent courts.

Next week, the case comes to a head; the UK Supreme Court will hear an appeal by Kymab regarding insufficiency.

Background info

In 2013, Regeneron filed a case against Kymab at the UK High Court. The company sued for patent infringement of its VelocImmune transgenic mouse platform, for patents EP UK 13 60 287 and EP UK 22 64 163. However, the two Regeneron patents were found invalid for insufficiency at the first instance. But the judge also noted that, had the patents been valid, Kymab would have infringed them through its use of transgenic mice. This conclusion meant that both parties could appeal the respective findings.

In the second instance, heard in 2018, the Court of Appeal rejected the first instance decision. It held that Regeneron’s patent claims were sufficient across their scope, finding them valid and infringed by Kymab. However, the court also granted Kymab permission to appeal on the grounds that the Court of Appeal judgment does not adequately consider Kymab’s argument of insufficiency. Kymab also argues that what it considered the court’s deviation in its approach to insufficiency could majorly impact the industry. In this sense, the appeal is not so much about seeking a law change as clarifying the court’s position on sufficiency.

However, the Court of Appeal also agreed to suspend the pending injunction against Kymab. This was to prevent major disruption to some of the major research work the company is undertaking, for example with charities.

But the companies have not only faced off in litigation proceedings. In 2015, Kymab, along with Merus and Novo Nordisk, filed opposition proceedings against EP 287 at the European Patent Office. The EPO revoked Regeneron’s patent for lacking novelty and inventive step. However, Regeneron appealed the decision through amended claims. The EPO dismissed further arguments by Kymab and maintained EP 287.

Mice for the millions

Mice have long been integral to helping develop medical cures for human disease. One of the most high-profile recent events is the creation of this so-called transgenic mouse platform, designed for therapeutic antibody development. The mice in question possess human antibody genes which produce human antibodies. These antibodies are then used to combat the pathogens that cause bacteria and viruses in humans. The ultimate aim is for the antibodies, also known as immunoglobin, to cure immunological disease.

The technology developed by the companies is increasingly applicable in real-world situations. For example, in 2017 Regeneron partnered with an HHS unit in the US to help develop a vaccine for Ebola. Now the company’s attention is turning to finding an immunisation against coronavirus, the epidemic currently affecting thousands globally. The transgenic mouse platform technology can help achieve this.

Same panel, new faces

Interestingly, the same panel of judges will hear the case between Kymab and Regeneron as will hear the last Supreme Court patent case, in October 2019. This was the much-awaited final showdown between Unwired Planet, Huawei and Conversant over FRAND jurisdiction. In both cases, judge David Kitchin  presided over the appeal in the second instance and is therefore excluded from the Supreme Court proceedings. This is following Kitchin’s promotion to Supreme Court judge in 2019.

Nicola Dagg

The case between Regeneron and Kymab has been running for seven years and, as a result, has experienced some changes in its counsel. For Regeneron, Nicola Dagg and Katie Coltart initially took on the case while still at Allen & Overy. Dagg brought the client over to Kirkland & Ellis following her highly-publicised move there in 2018, retaining Coltart on the case while adding more counsel.

However, Dagg and Coltart’s former firm Allen & Overy remains as co-counsel for Regeneron regarding some aspects of the case. Partner Neville Cordell leads for the latter firm.

Change of pace

Penny Gilbert

Kymab initially chose the London office of Norton Rose to conduct its litigation in the first instance. However, following the case management phase, Kymab then referred the work to London-based Powell Gilbert.

The patent boutique then led litigation in the first and second instance proceedings. Penny Gilbert, the partner leading the case, specialises in life sciences.

In-house counsel for Kymab, Diane Mellett, was previous general counsel at Cambridge Antibody Technology Group. Penny Gilbert had previously advised the group, which is how the contact between the parties began.

DLA Piper were also involved in both the first and second instance proceedings. The firm represented Danish multinational pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk as the second defendant alongside Kymab.

However, lead partner Claire Bennett has since left the firm to go in-house to car startup FiveAI.

For Regeneron
Three New Square: Justin Turner
8 New Square: Adrian Speck
Blackstone Chambers: David Pannick
Kirkland & Ellis (London): Nicola Dagg, Katie Coltart (leads); Jin Ooi; senior associates: Gabriella Bornstein, Brett Shandler
Allen & Overy (London): Neville Cordell (lead); senior associate: Tom Edwards
In-house (New York): Joseph LaRosa, Larry Coury, Petra Scamborova, Shohta Ueno

For Kymab
8 New Square: Michael Tappin
11 South Square: Iain Purvis
Powell Gilbert (London): Penny Gilbert (lead), Siddharth Kusumakar; senior associate: Joel Coles
In-house: Diane Mellett, Jasper Clube, Jen Le Miere

For Novo Nordisk
DLA Piper (London): Claire Bennett (partner, since left); Rahool Sajua

Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, London
Robert Reed (presiding judge, deputy president of the Supreme Court), Patrick Hodge, Jill Black, Michael Briggs, Philip Sales