JUVE Comment

Potter Clarkson, historically dominated by patent attorneys, now operates in the UK market with mixed teams and has established a respected patent litigation practice in London. The firm handles numerous midsized proceedings before the UK patent courts, demonstrating its broad technical expertise through cases such as Cloud Cycle’s slump-monitoring technology dispute. Further examples include BattleKart Europe’s electrical engineering case and the litigation for Trailerlogic concerning mortuary solutions. However, the litigation team has yet to establish a presence in major SEP and pharmaceutical cases before the UK courts.

The firm’s renowned patent attorney practice shows particular strength in pharmaceutical and biotechnology patents. The patent attorneys maintain intensive involvement in EPO proceedings for originators including Astellas, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi. However, the litigation team has yet to fully capitalise on this excellent foundation in UK pharmaceutical cases.

European set-up

The firm’s patent attorneys, through their extensive EPO work, regularly participate in significant pan-European pharmaceutical patent disputes. This expertise was leveraged early at the UPC, where a mixed team of lawyers and patent attorneys represented Astellas in two revocation actions against Healios/Osaka University. Although the dispute settled before oral proceedings, it demonstrated the firm’s capabilities.

Potter Clarkson is also involved in another UPC case for Wobben regarding technology to prevent collisions between aircraft and wind turbines. While German firm Eisenführ handles the UPC proceedings, Potter Clarkson represents Wobben before the UK High Court.

The firm’s long-term investment in two Scandinavian offices in Stockholm and Copenhagen highlights its commitment to pan-European work. These offices feature not only mixed teams of lawyers and patent attorneys but also British and Scandinavian fee earners working in collaboration.

Strengths

Litigation and EPO proceedings for pharma companies

Recommended individuals

Nick McDonald

Team

9 lawyers, 47 patent attorneys

Partner moves

Ian Stevens (retired in 2024)

Clients

Litigation: Cloud Cycle against Verifi over slump-monitoring technology; BattleKart Europe against potential franchisee in patent and copyright infringement case over electrical engineering technology; Trailerlogic against Roftek over mortuary solutions; Wobben against Detec Global over a safety technology to prevent aircraft colliding with wind turbines; Novo Nordisk in EPO oppositions over diabetes drug semaglutide; Astellas against Healios/Osaka University in EPO oppositions and UPC revocation case over stem cell technology; Novozymes in EPO oppositions regarding food technology; Bunge Loders Croklaan in EPO oppositions regarding oils and fats for food.