Practice Area

We support life sciences clients in protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights, with a particular focus on complex patent litigation.

Our team acts in high-stakes disputes involving pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices and emerging technologies. We understand the regulatory landscape that underpins market access and exclusivity, and regularly advise on Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs), patent linkage and cross-border enforcement strategies. Our profound knowledge of the sector allows us to align IP protection with business objectives, whether that means defending market position or navigating competitor challenges. We combine technical expertise with strategic insight to help clients safeguard innovation and maximise the value of their IP assets.

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Our Services

  • Pre-litigation strategy and assessment 
  • Patent infringement and invalidity proceedings 
  • Transactional patent work including due diligence 
  • Assignments and licensing 
  • Intellectual property migration
  • Intellectual property registration and defence 
  • Intellectual property commercialisation  

Recent Work

  • Acting for Neuraxpharm in the defence of patent infringement proceedings and the prosecution of an invalidity counterclaim related to the launch of a generic MS treatment on the Irish market.

  • Acting for Teva in patent infringement and invalidity proceedings relating to the launch of a generic version of Truvada®, one of the most successful anti-retroviral products.

  • Advising Roebuck Food Group on IP aspects of its acquisition of GlasPort Bio Limited and GlasPort Rumen Tech Limited, including patent licensing relating to methane reduction for animal feeds and manure

  • Acting for Fresenius in patent infringement proceedings regarding the launch of Amgevita® by Amgen, a biosimilar of Humira®, which is currently the world’s top selling drug.

  • Acting for Novartis in patent infringement and revocation proceedings regarding the sale of Taltz® in Ireland, including a competition law counterclaim.

  • Acting for Teva in SPC and patent revocation proceedings regarding the product Tiotropium Bromide and capsule materials for the treatment of respiratory disorders.

  • Acting for Celltrion in the defence of patent infringement proceedings relating to the launch of Truxima, a biosimilar of the cancer medication rituximab.

  • Acting for Ípek Kagit in patent infringement and revocation proceedings relating to tissue dispensers.

  • Advising an innovative medtech company on a range of issues relating to the ownership and restructuring of intellectual property, including patents, in preparation for the sale of the business.

Related Practice Areas

Dedicated Team

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Gerard Kelly SC

Gerard Kelly SC

Partner

Head of Intellectual Property, Co-Head of Dispute Resolution

+353 86 820 8066 gkelly@mhc.ie View Profile on MHC.ie
Hazel McDwyer

Hazel McDwyer

Partner

Intellectual Property

+353 86 108 3861 hmcdwyer@mhc.ie View Profile on MHC.ie