Sophie advises clients on a range of patent litigation issues relating to the enforcement and validity of patents and supplementary protection certificates, primarily across the life sciences sector for both originators and generics. Sophie’s scientific background gives her a valuable understanding of technical issues underlying patent issues.

Sophie joined Bristows as a trainee solicitor in August 2019, having completed a BSc in Natural Sciences (organic chemistry and pharmacology) at UCL.

Sophie has experience litigating in the UK High Court and Court of Appeal, as well as working on multi-jurisdiction coordination for pharmaceutical patent holders, providing strategic advice to clients and forming strong relationships with local counsel. More recently, Sophie has gained invaluable experience advising on a UPC case, working closely with local counsel in other European jurisdictions.

In addition to active litigation, Sophie also regularly advises on freedom-to-operate projects, patent infringement and validity analysis, and offensive/defensive patent strategies.

Some of Sophie’s work highlights include:

• Sandoz v BMS – Acting for a generic client on two cases in the UK High Court and Court of Appeal concerning the validity of the compound and formulation patents for a blockbuster anticoagulant.

• Otsuka v GW Pharma – IP licence dispute relating to client’s Epidiolex®/Epidyolex® cannabidiol (CBD) treatment for epilepsy.

• Coordinating multinational patent litigation strategies for blockbuster pharmaceutical products in Europe, Asia and North America.

• As a trainee, Sophie was involved in litigation in the High Court, including working on Alcon v Aspire & Accord (Patents Court) and assisting on a case for Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA in patent infringement and revocation proceedings in relation to its market leading inhaler formulation Fostair against several generics.

During her training, Sophie also spent three months in the International Litigation team at a leading internet services/technology company.