Ones to Watch France 2024: Marie-Ange Pozzo di Borgo

Every year, JUVE Patent carries out extensive research in the French patent market, culminating in the publication of the French patent rankings. Our latest research highlighted Marie-Ange Pozzo di Borgo, counsel at Gide Loyrette Nouel in Paris, as one of three Ones to Watch in the French patent market for 2024. The individual Ones to Watch 2024 articles are published alphabetically by surname.

Over the past eleven years, Marie-Ange Pozzo di Borgo, currently counsel at Gide, has gained experience in patent litigation through SPC cases. One example is defending Boehringer Ingelheim in an appeal against the rejection of an SPC over veterinary product Aservo in France, where she worked alongside Gide partner Raphaëlle Dequiré-Portier, together with the patent attorneys of Regimbeau. The 37-year-old, who still works in Gide Loyrette Nouel’s large team, is one of the firm’s up-and-coming patent litigation talents.

Pozzo di Borgo is particularly looking forward to the opportunities given by UPC. The international court should offer a deeper experience in the exchange and cooperation between litigation cultures; previous cross-border litigation could not offer this to the same extent. To date, Pozzo di Borgo’s career has well-prepared her for this approach.

Spark of inspiration

From an early age, her grandfather told her that she would become a lawyer – as an entrepreneur, he said, he regularly needed legal advice for his company. Marie-Ange Pozzo di Borgo took this prediction as an inspiration and enrolled in law school. After a short time, she realised that her grandfather had unsuspectingly given her the right idea. Then, during her first legal internship, Pozzo di Borgo got a taste of IP cases.

Although real estate law also appealed to her, she could never let go of IP, consequently applying for an internship in the IP department of L’Oréal. Fortunately for Pozzo di Borgo, this coincided with a time when the cosmetics company was fighting its first disputes with online platforms such as eBay, with the experience tipping the scales in favour of her specialising in IP. During a second master’s degree in the field, she gained practical experience in IP with a part-time in-house role at a boutique perfume company.

International orientation

During this time, the young lawyer felt a spark of curiosity ignite. While born and raised on the picturesque island of Corsica, as an adult Pozzo di Borgo continues to supplement a secluded childhood with new experiences in the world’s major cities. A scholarship took her to Los Angeles; here, she significantly expanded her knowledge of IP and other legal systems. She then stayed in New York for a few months, where she was admitted to the Bar, before returning to Paris.

Before joining Gide as a foreign lawyer associate, Pozzo di Borgo also gained experience at Hogan Lovells and Baker & McKenzie. In 2013, the same year she joined Gide, the Paris Bar finally admitted her. However, she didn’t stay in the French capital for long after the firm presented the opportunity for her to work in their London office from 2016 to 2019.

During this time, she completed a secondment at Bristows. As one of the UK’s market-leading patent litigation practices, this proved an invaluable experience for a young lawyer at home in international patent litigation.

Integral team player

Two years ago, Gide promoted Pozzo di Borgo to counsel; she is also working on her own business case, predominantly in patent litigation. Additionally, in line with Gide’s overall strategy whereby IP partners build their business case in both soft and hard IP, she also works in the pharmaceutical regulatory field. Here, Pozzo di Borgo primarily advises on market access. She is also active in licensing, especially for smaller biotech companies in gene therapy and AI diagnostics, and works on IP transactions.

At the same time, the cases brought by IP partners Emmanuel Larere, Raphaëlle Dequiré-Portier and Jean-Hyacinthe de Mitry all closely involve Pozzo di Borgo. Its well-established cooperation, which involves working with different teams according to the case, means the practice is well-prepared for the UPC’s tight deadlines and new requirements.

And, with the current major litigation between Meril and Edwards Lifesciences, Gide has already acted in one of the first oral hearings at the Paris central division. Last year, the firm also formalised its long-standing cooperation with Regimbeau’s patent attorneys under the alliance Gide x Regimbeau. This presents Pozzo di Borgo with another exciting opportunity for her continued development as an internationally oriented lawyer.

Read JUVE Patent’s analysis of Gide Loyrette Nouel in the JUVE Patent France ranking 2024