PHARMACEUTICAL IP

Pharmaceuticals

Evolve is a pharmaceutical specialist IP firm, offering comprehensive intellectual property services built on the experience of our attorneys in both in-house and private practice settings. We provide strategic counsel throughout the innovation lifecycle, from drafting and portfolio management to licensing, due diligence, and contentious matters.

Evolve is built on the deep expertise of our qualified attorneys in the pharmaceutical and biotech sector. With our personalized approach, scientific backgrounds and industry insights, we deliver tailored and pragmatic IP solutions for our pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients.

Sector insights...

Pyramid of gold spheres with a turquoise apex and pink equator line on dark blue, Evolve Franklin image
Pyramid of gold spheres with a turquoise apex and pink equator line on dark blue, Evolve Franklin image

Franklin: AI-powered publication review for pharma

Publication screening is a time sink for pharma patent attorneys. Franklin quickly finds the undisclosed inventions in a new publication submission.
Gold ball-and-stick molecule with one turquoise atom on dark blue, Evolve pharmaceuticals image
Gold ball-and-stick molecule with one turquoise atom on dark blue, Evolve pharmaceuticals image

When do you file for a drug combination invention? (T592/24)

Drug combination inventions are increasingly difficult to protect. File too early for a drug-combination invention and the application may lack the data to support the non-obvious effect of the combination. Wait for the trial read-out, and a competitor, or your own published protocol, may have already placed the invention in the public domain. 
Nested gold frames with a glowing turquoise centre on dark blue, Evolve abstract article image
Nested gold frames with a glowing turquoise centre on dark blue, Evolve abstract article image

Patenting the use of medical devices (T0941/24)

Patenting medical devices in Europe is challenging. First, there is the problem that medical use claims are not permitted for medical devices, whilst simultaneously methods of treatment or surgery using a device are excluded from patentability. 
Flight of gold steps with one turquoise glowing step on dark blue, Evolve abstract article image
Flight of gold steps with one turquoise glowing step on dark blue, Evolve abstract article image

Veterinary versus human use under Article 3(d): CJEU asked to revisit Santen

The world of Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPC) has yet another referral to the CJEU on Article 3(d). The German Federal Patent Court (BPatG) asks if the strict interpretation of Article 3(d) established by CJEU in Santen applies when the earlier marketing authorisation relates to a human medicine but the SPC is sought for a veterinary…
Gold band splitting into three branches at a turquoise junction on dark blue, Evolve abstract article image
Gold band splitting into three branches at a turquoise junction on dark blue, Evolve abstract article image

G 1/25 (description amendments) amicus curiae: The battle lines are drawn

If you want to start an argument amongst European patent attorneys, just mention description amendments. As the comments on this and other blogs attest, adaptation of the description is a highly divisive issue and the debate can get decidedly heated (with our US colleagues looking on with bemusement).
Gold strands braiding into one cord with a turquoise join on dark blue, Evolve abstract article image
Gold strands braiding into one cord with a turquoise join on dark blue, Evolve abstract article image

EPO pharma case law trends 2025: Clinical inventions

The law in the pharma sector field is also constantly evolving. Understanding the case law trends when drafting, prosecuting and defending these cases is therefore paramount. In our second post on EPO pharma case law trends in 2025 (see Evolve Insights), we review the most impactful decisions of the year relating to clinical-stage inventions. 
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