The ‘very strong’ team at Hogan Lovells International LLP assists a varied client base consisting of healthcare, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies with bet-the-company cases and large licensing transactions. Practice co-head Jane Summerfield has vast regulatory expertise spanning clinical trials to reimbursement issues, with particular emphasis on gene therapies and digital health software. Described as ‘Mr. Realistic’ by clients, patent litigator and co-head Stephen Bennett regularly assists clients with the defence of patents and supplementary certificate rights, while co-head Matthew Felwick is ‘very technical’ and has deep knowledge surrounding product liability, often acting in group actions and coroner’s inquests. Rated by clients as ‘one of the best life science lawyers in the industry’, Penny Powell has extensive expertise in M&A and partnering transactions, and counsel Elise Martin is noted for her experience in assisting clients with international regulation and commercial disputes. Having been promoted to partner in January 2023, Stella Wong utilises her medical background to act in disputes concerning biotec, pharmaceutical, and medical device patents.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘A really good life sciences team.’
‘Penny Powell is brilliant and one of the best life science lawyers in the industry. Her deep knowledge of the industry and her ability to cut through to the essence of any situation makes her an unparalleled asset.’
‘Stephen Bennett is Mr. Realistic. Tough, honest, and he won't lead you up the garden path.'
‘Stephen Bennett, Dan Brook, and Stella Wong are very strong.'
‘Very strong team at all levels. Lots of experience.’
'Daniel Brook is Mr. Genius. No thought unthunk, idea bypassed or strategy unconsidered.’
‘Massive industry knowledge, flawless team interaction.'
‘Matthew Felwick is very technical and has great communication skills.’

Key clients

Sandoz AG
Harmony Biosciences, LLC
Novartis AG
Eli Lilly (Lilly)
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS)
Akebia Therapeutics
Merck
Astellas Pharmaceuticals
Viatris
Zimmer Biomet

Work highlights

Advising Harmony Biosciences on a license with Bioprojet SCR granting Harmony the exclusive US development and marketing rights to expand Harmony’s opportunity in narcolepsy, and potentially other indications mutually agreed to by the parties.
Representing Eli Lilly in the long-running dispute relating to its cancer drug, pemetrexed.
Acting for Zimmer Biomet and various European subsidiaries in relation to a voluntary recall, concerning Zimmer Biomet's NexGen Stemmed Option Tibial prosthetic knee component, and coordinating the defence of personal injury claims, including a threatened group action, across a number of European jurisdictions.