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UK Supreme Court gives a strict interpretation on the rules of sufficiency

13 Jul 2020

The UK's Supreme Court ("UKSC") has handed down its eagerly awaited judgment in the dispute between Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc ("Regeneron") and Kymab Limited ("Kymab"). The invention by Regeneron related to the creation of a type of transgenic mouse (the "VelocImmune") that is more effective in its receipt of human antibody genes, for the production of human antibodies. As such, this genetically modified mouse has been regarded as a major breakthrough in the field of bio pharmaceuticals. Nevertheless, despite such an advancement, the UKSC has held that the patents upon which Regeneron based its innovative platform are invalid for lack of sufficiency because the claims, as construed, would include a range of modified mice, some of which it would not have been possible to produce as at the priority date of February 2001.

Procedural errors by patent administrator cause SPC loss to Genentech

03 Jul 2020

In a recent patent case, the grant of a supplementary protection certificate ("SPC") – which gives up to five years' extra patent protection – was revoked by the UK High Court as a consequence of annuity fees being underpaid by a company's agent.

WBD advises on Molendotech funding to accelerate tests for harmful bacteria

11 May 2020

Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has advised Molendotech, a University of Plymouth spinout company, on securing an investment to speed the development of its novel bacteria-testing technology.

Transatlantic team advises longstanding US client on major investment

30 Apr 2020

Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has advised Camden Partners Nexus, a Baltimore-based venture capital firm with a focus on biomedical technology companies, on its participation in an $80m series B investment round in COMPASS Pathways.

COVID-19 impacts go-live date of EU medical device regulation

07 Apr 2020

Following the European Commission's March press release on the suggested postponement of the effective date of the Medical Device Regulation (the MDR), given the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, it's formal Proposal was published on Friday 3 April. This Preparatory Act, which amends the date of application of various provisions in the MDR from 26 May 2020 to 26 May 2021, has still to be approved by both the European Parliament and the Council.

Unified Patent Court ratification declared unconstitutional by German court

03 Apr 2020

The German Federal Constitutional Court has recently made a finding that Germany's ratification of the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court is unconstitutional.

MHRA guidance on the specification for rapidly manufactured ventilators

24 Mar 2020

The MHRA has published its guidance for manufacturers wishing to assist the UK by turning their capabilities to the urgent manufacture of ventilators during the Coronavirus outbreak. The guidance includes information on the minimum specification for clinically acceptable ventilators to be used in UK hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak. These clinical requirements are based on the consensus of opinion on what is ‘minimally acceptable’ performance by anaesthesia and intensive care medicine professionals and medical device regulators.

Shanks v Unilever: a pragmatic result following a long drawn out saga

27 Jan 2020

Inventions made by employees and protected under the Patents Act 1977 (the "1977 Act") which have exceptional success on the market may entitle that employee to a fair share of the benefit received by their employer.

The impact of the UK's ageing population on pensions

18 Sep 2019

It will come as no surprise to hear that the UK's population is ageing. The Office for National Statistics predicts that more than 24% of people living in the UK will be aged 65 or older by 2042, up from 18% in 2016.

WBD's Newcastle-based corporate team secures £3.5m investment for Biosignatures

08 Aug 2019

Womble Bond Dickinson's (WBD) Newcastle-based corporate team has secured a £3.5 million investment for Nonlinear Technologies Ltd, parent company of Biosignatures Ltd from Accelerated Digital Ventures (ADV) (a partner of the British Business Bank's Enterprise Capital Funds, programme).

Related insights: Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals

UK Supreme Court gives a strict interpretation on the rules of sufficiency

Procedural errors by patent administrator cause SPC loss to Genentech

WBD advises on Molendotech funding to accelerate tests for harmful bacteria

Transatlantic team advises longstanding US client on major investment

COVID-19 impacts go-live date of EU medical device regulation

Unified Patent Court ratification declared unconstitutional by German court

MHRA guidance on the specification for rapidly manufactured ventilators

Shanks v Unilever: a pragmatic result following a long drawn out saga

The impact of the UK's ageing population on pensions

WBD's Newcastle-based corporate team secures £3.5m investment for Biosignatures

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Related insights: Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals

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