Microscopic photo from National Cancer Institute

Sector group

Life sciences

HGF’s life sciences attorneys understand the challenges associated with commercially focused IP management and can advise on the pertinent issues, from invention conception through to patent term extension, to maximise the value of intellectual property.

Lady looking into test tube

As one of Europe’s largest groups of specialist life science attorneys, HGF has the wealth of technical and legal expertise to deliver truly global, commercially-focused strategies.

From protecting new research from Europe’s most prestigious universities, to high-profile oppositions for international healthcare companies on market-leading technologies, the team possesses in-depth legal experience. Particular technical expertise within the group covers the fields of food technology, microbiome for therapeutic purposes, cell and gene therapy, bioinformatics, cleantech, agritech, immunobiology, gene editing technologies, personalised medicine and anti-infectives.

In addition, our life sciences attorneys work closely with our IP lawyers in relation to life cycle agreements such as MTAs, R&D collaborations, companion diagnostics, IP licensing, clinical trials through to commercial manufacturing and supply, and litigation.

See our life sciences specialists

Life sciences sector specialisms

Agritech
Anti-infectives
Bioinformatics
Cell & gene therapy
Diagnostics
Food technology
Gene editing technologies
Immunobiology
Microbiome
Personalised medicine

Life sciences industries

CleanTech
FemTech
Finance
Food & drink
Healthcare
Pharmaceuticals

Latest updates

Edwards v Meril confirms UPC’s jurisdiction over acts of infringement before the court came into force

In Edwards v Meril (UPC_CGI_15/2023), the UPC’s Munich local division refused to stay infringement proceedings pending an appeal on the central division’s finding of validity of the patent in amended …

Read article

Njoy v Juul finds the patent's underlying problem despite no mention of the problem in the specification

In Njoy v Juul (UPC CFI 315 /2023), the Paris Division of the Central Division provides further insight into the UPC’s approach to inventive step. Of critical importance in assessing …

Read article

Success of the Gilette Defence fizzles out in SodaStream v Aarke

In SodaStream v Aarke (UPC_CFI_373/2023), the UPC’s Dusseldorf local division has given us further insight into the UPC’s approach to claim interpretation. The court held that, if the patent distinguishes …

Read article

IP Ingredients: How the trademark landscape is adapting to the NoLo trend

Beverage producer and brand owner? This article may be for you, as changes in how EU trademark authorities compare alcoholic and non-alcoholic products make it easier for brand owners to …

Read article

HGF ranked as a top tier firm in Legal 500 UK 2025

HGF has been recommended as a top-tier firm in UK PATMA Trade Mark Attorneys – Tier 1. We also continue to be highly ranked in Tier 2 in the regions …

Read article
Event - 18th November 2024

Innovate Oxford: Healthcare Investor Networking Reception

HGF are proud to be attending the Innovate Oxford: Healthcare Investor Networking Reception in London. The Networking Reception will be held at the National Theatre, Southbank, London on 18th November. …

Event details

Innovation protection recovery begins in the Aircraft Engine Sector

With patent filing data for 2022 now available, we follow up our January 2023 article with an IP review update for the major players in the aircraft engine sector. Filing …

Read article

Supreme Court holds that SKY marks were registered in bad faith

In a long-awaited judgment https://www.supremecourt.uk/cases/docs/uksc-2021-0181-judgment.pdf, the Supreme Court allowed Skykick’s appeal, agreeing with the High Court that well-known broadcaster, Sky applied for a number of SKY marks in bad faith.  This …

Read article
See all updates