Christopher Freeth

Christopher Freeth is a Principal Associate in the Intellectual Property team and advises clients across a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, with a particular focus on patent litigation in the life science sector.

Highlights

A highlight of Christopher's work to date is his experience with "Arrow" declarations.

Christopher was the lead associate for Glaxo in Glaxo Group v Vectura Limited [2018] EWHC 3414 (Pat), and one of the key associates for Fujifilm in Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics Co Ltd v AbbVie [2017] EWHC 395 (Pat), the UK's first two (and at the time of writing, the only two) successful Arrow declaration claims.

Fujifilm concerned Humira, a biologic anti-TNFα drug. Our client Fujifilm sought to clear the way of many, often changing, patents and applications filed by AbbVie in order that it could then launch a biosimilar to AbbVie's blockbuster. Humira has a market worth over $16 billion globally and £400 million in the UK alone, making this one of the largest patent disputes recently heard in the UK.

Ultimately, the case resulted in new law with Fujifilm being awarded the UK's first declaration as to the obviousness of its own products, a so-called "Arrow" declaration.

Glaxo Group was a dispute concerning pharmaceutical compositions used in inhaler products in which (our client Glaxo argued a Gillette defense coupled with an Arrow declaration). This strategy was successful and led to the award of the UK's second "Arrow" declaration.

Another highlight is Chris' experience in litigation with generics companies, and it in particular acting for Neurim in the long running and complicated Neurim and Flynn Pharma disputes with Mylan and Teva. These are procedurally complex matters with many facets to them and a most unusual history. Chris would be delighted to tell you more and can guide you through the most complex of matters.

Other Experience

Christopher's other litigation experience spans a range of products and areas, including leading on an appeal concerning plausibility of unconventional medical techniques in the High Court, groundless threats in the IPEC, inventor-ship of a well-known over-the-counter painkiller in the IPO, and advising on other confidential issues and strategy for clients involved in areas such as antibody production and genetic engineering. He routinely advises clients at the pre-litigation stage too and has a particularly strength in producing clear and comprehensive opinions on patents to guide you on your best options and where your business might stand in any future dispute.

Earlier in his career, Christopher assisted Lundbeck in defending its blockbuster anti-depressant enantiomer drug, Escitalopram. Christopher also assisted Dyson on the protection of its IP rights, managing its enforcement program regarding bladeless fans across Europe and the Middle East for several years.

Christopher frequently assists clients with transactional work, from smaller licenses, to multi-billion dollar collaborations in the life sciences industry.

Clients say Christopher is: "well prepared, responsive and thoughtful", "quick to grasp technical complexities" and "helpful and considerate when dealing with experts and witnesses". The latter is a point of particular pride for Christopher who enjoys nothing more than getting to grips with new technologies for his clients and working hand in hand with the technological experts behind them.

Christopher was named an MIP Rising Star in 2018/19 and each year since.