The team at A&O Shearman maintains its reputation for acting in high-profile patent litigation before the French Supreme Court and the Paris First Instance Court involving questions relating to supplementary protection certificates (SPC), the obtaining of preliminary injunctions, and infringement actions against generic companies. On the non-contentious side of the practice, the group regularly advises on M&A and tax structuring mandates. Practice head Laëtitia Bénard is known for her vast expertise in IP, with her primary areas of focus being patent portfolios, patent disputes, and issues concerning price regulation. Promoted to partner in May 2023, Charles Tuffreau has expansive experience in acting for pharma companies in infringement seizures and the securing of monopolies.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Great team of knowledgeable lawyers. Hard working and fun to litigate with.’
‘Laëtitia Bénard is amazing. Wonderful to work with, witty and well-read, whipping French courts into shape.'
Key clients
- Ipsen
- ABF Ingredients
Work highlights
- Advising a global pharmaceutical and healthcare company on one its blockbusters for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, Gilenya® (fingolimod), having notably initiated preliminary injunction proceedings against several generic companies, based on a patent application covering a second medical use claim, which have now been brought to the Court of Appeal, as well as infringement proceedings on the merits.
- Advised Ipsen on its entry into exclusive negotiations with the pharmaceutical laboratory Mayoly Spindler in relation to the divestment of its consumer healthcare (CHC) business, including the drugs Smecta®, Forlax®, Tanakan®, Fortrans® and various production sites.