Today marks the launch of A User's Guide to Intellectual Property in the Life Sciences, written by senior professional support lawyer Paul England and partner Simon Cohen, and published by Bloomsbury Professional.

The guide also includes chapters penned by senior professional support lawyers Debbie Heywood and Louise Popple, as well as AstraZeneca patent attorney Rose Hughes.

A practical, go-to reference text for lawyers and patent attorneys advising in private practice and in-house, A User's Guide to Intellectual Property in the Life Sciences provides an account of all exclusivity rights relevant to the many types of business working in the life sciences sector. Its appeal isn’t limited to legal professionals, though, as the guide was also designed to be accessible to commercially minded individuals without ready access to legal advice.

But where A User's Guide to Intellectual Property in the Life Sciences truly shines is in its treatment of case law. Case studies and detailed analyses of key cases – such as the Kymab mouse case and pregabalin case – feature extensively, grounding this often-complex area of law in its factual context and making it easier to understand in practical terms.

A User's Guide to Intellectual Property in the Life Sciences covers UK law with reference to significant EPO cases. Where appropriate and for comparison purposes, the approaches of key foreign jurisdictions are also summarised.

Reflecting on the guide, senior professional support lawyer Paul England commented: "British life sciences represent an ever developing and exciting story that often makes the frontpage. Patent protection, other forms of intellectual property, and regulatory exclusivity protection have a vital role to play in this. We hope our guide will further the understanding and application of these areas."

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