Pinsent Masons – France 2024
Rankings
JUVE Comment
The French IP team of this British full-service firm is continuing its growth trajectory. Traditionally strong in litigation for life sciences clients, the team stepped up work for Accord and Zentiva, as well as landing new clients including Fresenius Kabi. This demonstrates how the European practice’s visibility is translating into new clients for the national practices. Jules Fabre has made a name for himself in litigation for generic drug and biosimilar manufacturers over blockbuster drugs. He joined the firm five years ago from an in-house role at Teva, and in 2023 was promoted to partner.
At the same time, the team led by practice head Emmanuel Gougé has successfully branched into other fields within the overall firm’s established focal points. For instance, other suppliers from the automotive and aerospace industries have joined Global Wheel on the client list, as have digital technology companies like 3D. Unlike competitors such as Allen & Overy or Linklaters, the French team of Pinsent Masons is also yet to appear in high-profile mobile communications disputes in France. A lateral hire with telecoms experience could act as a door-opener here. Growing the team would also be a good idea considering the demands of the UPC.
Strengths
Litigation in pharma, automotive and technology.
European set-up
Although, like many other firms in France, Pinsent Masons already advises a variety of clients on potential UPC strategies, it has yet to put in an appearance in any proceedings at the new court. This could be due to its strong base of pharma clients, as these are currently taking a wait-and-see approach to the UPC. However, generic drug and biosimilar companies provided the French patent team of Pinsent Masons with an increasing number of cross-border instructions. One client praises the firm for how the lawyers from the various offices take a highly commercial approach and apply their regulatory expertise when new products are launched on the market. Young partner Fabre is increasingly taking on the coordination of international litigation strategies and the proceedings, including those for Fresenius Kabi and Formycon. But still the firm appears less frequently in large pan-European litigation for key clients with cross-border teams compared to competitors like Hogan Lovells.
The signs at Pinsent Masons are clearly pointing towards an expansion of the European practice. The UK team is still the most visible of the firm’s European patent practices, although it is also focusing on expanding its Dutch team especially. However, the German practice has still not recovered from major partner losses over the past few years; further expansion here and in France, which are core locations of the UPC, would help truly strengthen and integrate Pinsent Masons’ European team.
Recommended individuals
Emmanuel Gougé, Jules Fabre (“very happy with his work”, client; “rising star”, competitor)
Team
5 lawyers
Specialties
Focus on patent litigation concerning technology, especially in the automotive, energy and aerospace sectors. Licensing projects, FTO analysis and transactions.
Clients
Litigation: Fresenius Kabi and Formycon (defendants) in coordination of pan-European litigation against Janssen over ustekinubab/Stelara; Accord (defendant) against Sanofi over second medical use patent for prostate cancer drug cabazitaxel/Jevtana; Zentiva (defendant) against Novartis over PI against MS treatment fingolimod/Gilenya; Assentys (defendant) against Stil in nullity claim over 3D technology; Global Wheel (defendant) against Hutchinson over wheel with improved inflation system; Georg Martin (defendant) against Lameco over aviation equipment. Advice: Fresenius Kabi/SwissBioSim on litigation strategy and market entry for biosimilar of tocilizumab/Actmera; Teva and Accord on FTO analysis and market entry of generic drug manufacturers.
Location
Paris