Adams & Adams

Patent Litigation and Competition Law

Partner | Patent Attorney

Alexis Apostolidis is the Head of Competition Law Group at Adams & Adams, a partner and patent attorney.  He represents multinational and national clients in a diversity of fields (life sciences, agrochemical, petrochemical, Telecommunications, IT, and consumer goods sectors). He has successfully litigated on behalf of originator pharmaceutical companies, OEM German car manufacturers, banks, and television content providers and regularly acts in multi-jurisdictional patent and design litigation in South Africa and several African countries.

He is a versatile lawyer and has been referred to as a shrewd litigator. Alexis’ practice also extends to the commercialisation and licensing of IP and regulatory matters which Alexis utilises to provide pragmatic and holistic strategies to any intellectual property matter he is presented with.

Alexis also heads the firm’s competition law group and tackles complex competition law issues at the interface of competition law and intellectual property in a variety of settings including the competition law fora. He has been referred to as the Firm’s “ace up the sleeve” (IAM) in competition law related IP litigation matters.

Alexis is currently acting for an originator pharmaceutical company concerning the abuse of patent rights and access to medicines simultaneously in two fora, namely the Court of the Commissioner of Patents and the Competition Commission of South Africa.

English

Memberships

Attorneys Association Pretoria (PAA) – Member American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) – Member Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) – Member International Bar Association (IBA) – Member Legal Practice Council (LPC) – Member SA Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) – Fellow SAIIPL: Patent & Design Law Committee Member SAIIPL: Convenor of Judgment Reporting Group – Public Affairs Sub-Committee SAIIPL: Ad Hoc Competition Law / Franchising / Consumer Protection Committee Member

Accolades:

Best Lawyers® – Intellectual Property Law: South Africa | 2021 – 2024 Best Lawyers® – Competition / Antitrust Law: South Africa | 2020 – 2024 IAM Patent 1000 – Individuals: Litigation (Silver) | 2017 – 2024 IFLR - Patent Expert Guide - Experts for Patents | 2019 Law International Global Awards – IP Lawyer of the Year South Africa | 2018 Lawyer International Legal 100 – Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Sector | 2018 Lawyer International Legal 100 – Intellectual Property Lawyer of the year, South Africa | 2018 Legal 500 – Recommended Lawyers: Intellectual Property |2023 - 2025 MIP – IP Stars: Patents | 2017 – 2024

Registered Patent Practitioner | 2004 Admitted Attorney | 2002 Postgraduate Degree European Competition Law (With Merit) – Kings College, University of London | 2012 LLB (Cum Laude) – University of Witwatersrand, SA | 2002 BSc (Chemistry and Law) – University of Witwatersrand, SA | 1999