Life Sciences Intellectual Property Litigation

With a legacy spanning decades, Honigman’s Life Sciences IP Litigation practice stands at the forefront of high-stakes patent and intellectual property disputes for innovators in pharmaceuticals, biologics, and medical devices. Our deep bench of award-winning litigators, many of whom hold advanced degrees in biological sciences and chemistry, leverages both legal and scientific knowledge to guide clients through the most complex disputes in U.S. District Courts, the USPTO’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and the Federal Circuit. We have a proven record of securing results in competitor and bet-the-product litigations where hundreds of millions of dollars and critical market positions are at stake.

Key Strengths of Our Approach

• Strategic Insight: Our team’s technical fluency covers the full spectrum of life sciences IP litigation, including Hatch-Waxman and biosimilar disputes as well as cases involving small molecules, biologics, antibodies, enzymes, genetically engineered organisms, and cutting-edge medical devices.
• High-Impact Representation: We frequently serve as lead counsel in bench and jury trials, successfully advancing clients’ interests in complex matters that define their business trajectories.
• Deep Industry Experience: As part of a 120+ strong multidisciplinary IP practice, we draw on the expertise of numerous PhDs and seasoned professionals with experience at major pharmaceutical companies and dynamic startups, ensuring that every legal strategy is firmly grounded in real-world scientific and business considerations.
• Seamless Integration Across Legal Disciplines: Our life sciences litigators collaborate closely with their firm colleagues in patent prosecution, FDA regulatory counseling, corporate transactions, and antitrust litigation. This integrated approach allows us to anticipate challenges and deliver creative, business-focused solutions in every engagement.

What Sets Honigman Apart

• Trusted National Leadership: Recognized by industry rankings and clients for our expertise, Honigman serves as an extension of our clients’ in-house teams for established life sciences companies and trailblazing innovators alike.
• Business-Driven Solutions: We go beyond litigation by offering pre-litigation assessments, strategic opinions, IP-related board presentations, and tailored counseling to help clients capture value, minimize risk, and accelerate market opportunities.
• Commitment to Results: At every turn, our focus is on safeguarding client innovation and paving the way for scientific and commercial success.

At Honigman, we deeply understand the intricacies around protecting complex technologies and are proud to serve our life sciences clients as a trusted partner at every stage of their journey.

• Won a $14.5 million patent verdict on behalf of DSM Bio-Based Products & Services in a seven-day jury trial involving genetically engineered yeast used for industrial-scale production of ethanol from corn stock.*
• Successfully challenged a patent covering an animal-protein-free botulinum toxin formulation on behalf of Galderma (PGR2019-00062). Our efforts led the patent owner to concede invalidity and cancel claims, while the PTAB denied their motion to amend due to written description and enablement issues. The Federal Circuit affirmed the PTAB’s Final Written Decision, securing a strong outcome for our client.*
• Represented KUB Technologies, Inc. in an ITC investigation against an overseas cabinet x-ray maker that was infringing our client’s patent. The client is a leading manufacturer of x-ray and optical camera technology for use in hospitals and for treatment of cancer. We obtained a consent order and total victory for our client.
• Lead counsel for Ironwood Pharmaceuticals in Hatch-Waxman patent infringement litigation to protect clients’ prescription digestive drug, Linzess®. Obtained consent judgments with injunctions against all defendants.

• Represented Solvay Pharmaceuticals in several Hatch-Waxman patent litigations, transactions and patent portfolio management relating to AndroGel®, TriCor® and Aceon®.*

 *matter handled prior to joining Honigman LLP

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