Regularly appearing before the EPO and UKIPO, AA Thornton’s contentious offering counts notable inventors and SMEs across the life sciences, telecoms, and engineering sectors, to name a few, in its client base. The practice is jointly led by Geoff Hussey, who capitalises on his science background to handle patent disputes across the life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors, and Daniel Byrne, who has experience with AI, quantum computing, and renewable energy patent litigation.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Deeply immerse themselves in the case and find well-thought-out solutions.’
  • ‘Quick responses, we get all updates on time, and the reminders well in advance so we can decide the course of action.’

  • ‘Quick responses, diligent and proactive employees and partners.’

  • ‘AA Thornton is a firm with highly developed expertise in all areas of intellectual property. The firm is also able to provide very practical solutions and adapt to its clients' needs.'

  • 'In terms of invoicing, they are also highly adaptable, always able to find a solution in line with the financial capabilities of the clients they assist.’

  • ‘AA Thornton's professionals are highly qualified experts in their field of practice, but also extremely practical and friendly, which makes working with them a pleasure.'

  • 'Daniel Byrne is an incomparable lawyer. His advice is always of the highest quality, based on an exceptional knowledge of the law and very careful thought.’

  • ‘Very responsive. Clear and astute advice.'

Key clients

  • Quantinuum
  • Zaun Limited
  • CellmAbs
  • SUN Pharma
  • Unichem
  • Robert Bosch GmbH
  • Oil States International Inc.
  • Cipla
  • Aristo Pharma GmbH
  • Novartis
  • AB Agri
  • Biocon

Work highlights

  • Acting for Zaun Limited in defending a claim for design right infringement in a patented product.
  • Advised a number of generic pharmaceutical clients on the merits of bringing cases against certain patents to invalidate them and to clear the way to launch generic drugs in the UK.
  • Assisting a biotech spin-out company with valuable licence rights and intellectual property of its own to commercialise its technology and maximise the chances of therapeutic products being developed.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Geoff Hussey, Daniel Byrne

Other key lawyers

Alex Bone, Adrian Bennett, Craig Turner, Mike Jennings