Microscopic photo from National Cancer Institute

Sector group

Life sciences

HGF’s life sciences attorneys understand the challenges associated with commercially focused IP management and can advise on the pertinent issues, from invention conception through to patent term extension, to maximise the value of intellectual property.

Lady looking into test tube

As one of Europe’s largest groups of specialist life science attorneys, HGF has the wealth of technical and legal expertise to deliver truly global, commercially-focused strategies.

From protecting new research from Europe’s most prestigious universities, to high-profile oppositions for international healthcare companies on market-leading technologies, the team possesses in-depth legal experience. Particular technical expertise within the group covers the fields of foodtech, microbiome for therapeutic purposes, cell and gene therapy, bioinformatics, agritech, gene editing, and personalised medicine.

In addition, our life sciences attorneys work closely with our IP lawyers in relation to life cycle agreements such as MTAs, R&D collaborations, companion diagnostics, IP licensing, clinical trials through to commercial manufacturing and supply, and litigation.

See our life sciences specialists

Life sciences sector specialisms

AgriTech
Bioinformatics
Biopharmaceuticals
FoodTech
Microbiome

Latest updates

Wrestling with G1/24 – How should the claims be interpreted in view of the description?

In G1/24, the Enlarged Board of Appeal (EBA) codified how claims should be interpreted for assessing patentability: in consultation with the description. However, the decision was light on how, in …

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Welcome to HGF Presents - New Video Series

Introducing HGF Presents a new video series delivering practical insights into European Patent Law and practice. Curated by our leading experts in chemistry, life sciences, technology & engineering, each concise …

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Seminar on Incorporating Trade Secrets into your IP Strategy

HGF is hosting a Seminar on Incorporating Trade Secrets into your IP Strategy which will be followed by networking, apero, and snacks. The Seminar will be held on Wednesday, 10th …

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PRESS RELEASE – HGF strengthens European presence with three new Partners in France and Germany

HGF is pleased to announce the arrival of three new partners, further strengthening its European presence. Two partners will be joining the firm’s fast-growing French practice, and one will join …

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Providing Enabling Disclosure for AI inventions at the EPO

  Video overview: The equivalent to the enablement requirement in the US at the EPO is Sufficiency. There is an increasing trend for the sufficiency of AI related patent applications …

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Personalised Medicine Patenting of Known Drugs for Known Indications at the EPO

Video overview: The identification of specific sub-groups of patients to treat with a known drug, even if said patients may have been treated before with the drug, can yield patentable …

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Novelty Over Clinical Trials at the EPO

Video overview: Second medical use claims can be novel over clinical trials in European patents. Typically, such a claim would be fairly narrow, e.g. perhaps mapping onto specific indications and …

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Regulatory Exclusivity for
Medicinal Products in Europe

Video overview: New Medical Products 8 years of data exclusivity, followed by 2 years of market exclusivity. +1 year market exclusivity possible for a new indication showing significant clinical benefit. No exclusivity granted for new formulations or routes of …

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