Sector group

Chemistry

Acquiring robust patent protection for chemical and pharmaceutical products and technologies, and possessing a good appreciation of any freedom-to-operate risks, is critically important to these industries.

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HGF has one of the largest and most experienced teams of chemistry and pharmaceutical patent attorneys in Europe.  We have over 45 patent professionals located in the UK, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands and Switzerland, and collectively we have a diverse blend of high-standard degrees and doctorates in specialist areas.  Many of our attorneys also have extensive in-house experience acquired working for large multi-national companies.

We act for a global client base and cover the full spectrum of chemical technologies, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, food science, cosmetics, household products, materials/metallurgy, petrochemicals, catalysis, polymer chemistry, energy, electrochemistry, printing technologies and physical chemistry.

We have established an enviable reputation in the chemistry and pharmaceutical field and continue to grow our client base, predominately by recommendation.  Working closely with our clients, we devise the optimal IP strategy to achieve the best commercial outcome.  We have extensive experience in the drafting, prosecution and management of world-wide patent portfolios, as well as conducting freedom-to-operate assessments, handling IP due diligence evaluations and oppositions and appeal proceedings before the European Patent Office.  We also have a specialist supplementary protection certificates team for pharmaceutical and agrochemical products. In addition, our chemistry and pharmaceutical attorneys work closely with our IP lawyers in relation to life cycle agreements such as R&D collaborations, companion diagnostics, IP licensing, clinical trials through to commercial manufacturing and supply, and litigation.

Latest updates

T1977/22: Can claims defined by open-ended ranges ever be sufficiently disclosed?

The EPO’s Board of Appeal’s decision in T1977/22 provides an interesting review of the case law concerning the compatibility of whole range sufficiency and claims defined as a result to …

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Protecting inventions in Europe and beyond

A patent is  a form of registered intellectual property right granted for new, inventive and industrially applicable inventions. Patents are monopoly rights that  allow their owners (or licensees) the right …

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T 0295/22: EPO Technical Board of Appeal relies on “bonus effect” case law to find Amgen’s patent to orally administered apremilast lacking in inventive step

This case concerned Amgen’s European patent no. 2962690 for apremilast, a drug sold under the brand name Otezla®, licensed for the treatment of e.g., psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.  The patent …

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Can the Chancellor’s so-called “Europe’s Silicon Valley” really replicate the innovative activity of its namesake?

The Chancellor of the UK, Rachel Reeves, recently unveiled plans to deliver an Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor that promises to boost the UK economy by up to £78 billion by 2035.  …

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UPC’s CFI (Milan) extends deadline to file defence to infringement claim to align with parallel EPO appeal proceedings

Dainese S.p.A. v. Alpinestars S.p.A. & ors. UPC_CFI_472/2024 – Milan Local Division (Perrotti, Zana, Klein, Ashley) – 15 January 2025 The Milan Local Division granted a defendant’s request for an …

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UPC on Doctrine of Equivalents

Plant-e Knowledge BV & anor v Arkyne Technologies SL UPC_CFI_239/2023 (Brinkman, Granata, Walker & Koke) – 22 November 2024 The Hague Local Division has handed down the first substantive UPC …

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IP Ingredients: The not so "Impossible" Burger

Meat alternatives are a hot topic with the increase in popularity of vegetarianism and veganism, highlighted by this month being “veganuary”.  However, at time when meat alternatives are coming under …

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T 0295/22: Apremilast decision highlights hopes and challenges for broad second medical use claims

This case provides insight to the EPO’s interpretation of administration features in second medical use claims. Whilst the door appears to be open for broader second medical use claims, they …

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