JUVE Comment

The patent practice of this international firm is best known for representing clients from the life sciences sector in the French parts of pan-European patent litigation. This is currently demonstrated by its work for Korean biotech company Samsung Bioepis in a revocation action against Alexion. In this case the teams in Paris and London are cooperating closely to clear the way for the client’s biosimilar of an orphan drug for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria.

With the hire of dual-qualified partner Abdelaziz Khatab from August Debouzy in 2024 as a new practice head, the firm also strategically positioned itself to attract more work in telecoms and hi-tech sectors. An electronics specialist, Khatab’s arrival is a direct response to the firm’s need to expand its client base beyond its traditional life sciences stronghold. This development has gained new momentum after the departure of former practice head François Jonquères, who was best known for his work for pharma clients such as Merck and Dana Faber.

While the team continues to be active in life sciences litigation for clients such as Samsung Bioepis and Ecoat, it has also gained a foothold in new technical fields. Instructions from Nanjing Kangni in the railway sector and Hanwha Ocean in shipbuilding demonstrate this broader approach.

The French team is also now becoming more deeply integrated into the firm’s strong European network, a key factor for UPC litigation. This is evidenced by UPC work, such as for Apple as an intervenor in telecoms disputes with Ericsson and Sun Patent Trust, and inter-office collaboration with the German team for clients such as Thales and Kangni. However, the Paris practice still lacks the visibility in national French proceedings and the UPC that other competitors with the same setup have, such as Bird & Bird and Taylor Wessing.

Strengths

Cross-border litigation in the life sciences sector.

Team

3 lawyers, 1 dual qualified

Partner moves

Abdelaziz Khatab (from August Debouzy), François Jonquères (to Plasseraud)

Clients

Litigation: Trasis SA against Out & Out Chemistry over radiopharmaceutical synthesis method; Samsung Bioepis against Alexion Pharmaceuticals over eculizumab/Bekemv; Nanjing Kangni Mechanical & Electronical against Faiveley Transport Tours over railway products; Hanwha Ocean against CMA CGM over container ships; Thales DIS against OKTA over web authentication technology (Regional Court Munich); ECOAT against ARKEMA over e-coating.