Charlie is a Partner and patent litigator at Marks & Clerk Law who advises clients on the enforcement, defence and commercialisation of intellectual property, with a particular focus on patent and licensing disputes in the life sciences field. In addition to biopharmaceutical patent litigation, Charlie’s expertise extends to litigation, arbitration and commercial IP matters in fields ranging from medical devices, manufacturing and oil and gas to electronics, telecommunications and technology. 

Charlie is well accustomed to handling multijurisdictional matters involving teams from across the world, often coordinating global and European litigation strategies for his clients and advising on the interaction between parallel litigation and EPO opposition proceedings. He also advises clients on related regulatory data protection and SPC matters. Recent and ongoing work includes advice for global biopharmaceutical clients on patent enforcement strategies concerning products in the oncology, autoimmune and pain fields.

In addition to his litigation practice, Charlie also advises clients on freedom to operate and IP due diligence, assisting clients with strategic investment decisions where IP is concerned.

After playing a leading role in a number of complex and high profile disputes and with 20 years’ experience in IP, Charlie is recognised as a global leader in life sciences patent litigation.

Key Cases

• Regeneron/Teva v Rinat (Pfizer)
• Pfizer v Roche
• Chugai v UCB
• Fujifilm v AbbVie
• Semafone v Eckoh
• Hospira v Genentech
• Regeneron/Bayer v Genentech

Experience

• Life Sciences sector: Charlie has advised numerous global and European biopharmaceutical clients on UK, European and global patent litigation strategies, including complex patent infringement and revocation actions in the fields of oncology, autoimmune and pain therapy. His lead role in the successful, multijurisdictional Chugai Pharmaceutical v UCB case before the UK courts particularly stands out.
• Telecommunications & electronics sector: Charlie has advised on a confidential LCIA arbitration in the telecoms field over FRAND patent licence fees for mobile telephony infrastructure and he has also advised clients on disputes relating to RFID and fire alarm systems in the electronics sector.
• IP Transactions: On the commercial side, Charlie regularly advises on the negotiation, drafting and scope of commercial contracts dealing with the acquisition, sale and licensing of intellectual property rights, including patent licensing, R&D collaboration, co-ownership and co-development agreements. 
• Brand Protection: Charlie also advises on brand related matters, including UK and European customs border detention procedures to combat the circulation of counterfeit products, copyright, confidentiality and online IP rights matters. 
• He speaks fluent French.

Professional Highlights

Charlie is recognised as a Recommended Lawyer in the Legal 500 (2023), IAM Patent 1000 (2023) and as a Global Leader for Life Sciences Patent Litigation and Patents in Who’s Who Legal (2023).

Charlie became a partner in 2014.