JUVE Comment

Following several staff changes in previous years, recent stability has allowed the well-positioned patent litigation team led by Campbell Forsyth and David Rose to focus fully on client work. The practice’s flagship work remains advising generics manufacturers preparing to launch generic versions of blockbuster drugs. The team represented two generic drug manufacturers, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Zentiva, in the brief but high-profile battle over stroke medication Xarelto against Bayer. For Luye Pharma, the team litigated in another pharmaceutical dispute concerning Parkinson’s medication. Forsyth’s role as deputy High Court judge brings additional attention to the practice.

Beyond pharmaceuticals, the firm’s patent team currently maintains limited visibility for telecommunications clients in London. Given the numerous FRAND and SEP cases currently proceeding through the courts, the Mishcon team is conspicuous by its absence. Nevertheless, the UK team represents the media company Aylo at the UK High Court as well as the UPC and provides extrajudicial advice to other clients in this sector.

A 2023 merger with Taylor Vinters brought strategic changes to the patent practice. This not only added a two-strong patent attorney team but also gave Mishcon outposts in Oxford and Cambridge. This proximity to innovative British companies could yield long-term litigation opportunities. The patent attorney team already handles patent applications for innovative AI and medical device technology.

European set-up

Mishcon de Reya currently has no continental European offices, with its corporate strategy focused on offices in Hong Kong and Singapore. As the firm’s patent practice lacks the clout of other London-centric IP firms such as Bristows or Powell Gilbert, its patent team has developed strategic relationships with other European firms. In cases concerning generic drug market entry, it regularly participates in pan-European disputes through UK proceedings. In such cases, it collaborates with continental European firms that also represent generics manufacturers, such as Amsterdam-based Vondst.

The team currently maintains close cooperation with Bardehle Pagenberg in the UPC dispute for Aylo against Dish. In two UPC proceedings, the Mishcon team supports the German lawyers while handling parallel UK proceedings. Both Mishcon partners’ strong independent relationships with the German firm have secured them early UPC presence – an achievement not all UK patent litigation firms can claim.

Strengths

Litigation and advice for generic pharmaceutical companies.

Recommended individuals

David Rose, Campbell Forsyth

Team

19 litigators, 2 patent attorneys

Clients

Litigation: Aylo against Dish Technologies over TV streaming technology; Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Zentiva against Bayer over stroke medication Xarelto/rivaroxaban; Luye Pharma against UCB Biopharma and LTS Lohmann over a transdermal patch containing Parkinson’s drug rotigotine (settled in 2024); Heraeus Noblelight against First Light Lamps over glass-to-metal seals (settled in 2024); Positec against Husqvarna and Stihl in EPO opposition over robot technology. Patent filing for Acurable, Caprera, Featurespace, Omnibuds, Positec, ThoughtRiver, Trinomial.