Drawing considerable praise from clients for its ability to marry its ‘deep knowledge of legislation’ with a ’client-oriented’ approach, the team at VdA handles the entire spectrum of IP matters, ranging from patent, trade mark, design, and copyright non-contentious issues, to complex litigation and arbitration. Spearheading the team is Marta Alves Vieira, who has notable strength in IP litigation, regularly handling high-profile matters for a range of pharma clients. With over four decades of experience, António de Magalhães Cardoso is a reference for dispute resolution in this space, including pharmaceutical patent enforcement. Sara Nazaré is no longer at the firm.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team is multidisciplinary and has a client-oriented approach.'

  • ‘VdA's IP team stands out for the quality, consistency and innovation of the legal advice it provides, combining in-depth knowledge of legislation, doctrine and jurisprudence. They are always one step ahead in defining defence strategies and proposing solutions, with demonstrated gains in effectiveness and success in resolving problems and conflicts.'

  • ‘Great breadth and depth in patent litigation and pharmaceutical regulatory matters.’

  • ‘Very helpful team with good technical quality in responding to questions asked.’

  • ‘Marta Alves Vieira is very diligent and technically competent. Always available to help the client find the most appropriate solution.'

Key clients

  • AstraZeneca
  • Biogen
  • Bristol-Myers Squibb
  • Cloudflare
  • Codavel
  • CUF
  • Daiichi Sankyo
  • Lundbeck
  • Luz Saúde
  • MEO – Serviços de Comunicação e Multimédia, S.A.
  • Merck Sharp and Dohme
  • Novartis AG
  • Takeda and Millennium Phamaceuticals
  • Vanguard Properties

Work highlights

  • Acting for Novartis in patent litigation and settlement negotiations.
  • Acting for Merck Sharp & Dohme in patent and SPC litigation (judicial actions, including main actions and PIs) and settlement negotiations.
  • Assisting Cloudflare INC in the context of preliminary injunction proceedings brought against Cloudflare related to copyright and related rights.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Marta Alves Vieira

Other key lawyers

António de Magalhães Cardoso, Ana Falcão Afonso