Treatment-Related Secondary Patent Litigation: Reviewing European, U.S. and Canadian Trends in Innovator-Generic Disputes

19 Jan 2027
Pharma & Biotech Patent Litigation Europe

With innovator companies continuing to reinforce protection beyond active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and composition-of-matter IP, innovator-vs-generic disputes surrounding treatment-related secondary patents remain central to life science patent litigation dynamics. Covering second medical use claims, dosing regimens, skinny labelling and carve-out strategies, this session compares approaches to treatment-related secondary patent enforcement across Europe, the U.S. and Canada, examining what recent developments mean for innovators and generic challengers navigating market entry.

- Review recent European innovator-generics case law in the treatment-related secondary patent space, including second medical use litigation and dosing regimen enforcement.  

- Explore international challenges relating to carve-out strategies and litigating around induced and contributory infringement.  

- Discuss the Hikma v Amarin skinny labelling decision from the U.S. Supreme Court, and the and its implications for future litigation strategy. 

- Examine how the cabazitaxel and fulvestrant disputes are shaping the European treatment of second medical use patents, from UPC and EPO validity challenges to enforcement questions arising in national courts. 

- Compare the evolving boundaries of generic entry and treatment-related secondary patent enforcement across the UPC, Germany, the UK, Canada and the U.S.

Speakers
Toni Santamaria
Toni Santamaria, Chief Intellectual Property Officer - Adalvo
Michal Porubsky
Michal Porubsky, Associate General Counsel - Novo Nordisk
Oscar Lamme
Oscar Lamme, Partner - Simmons & Simmons
Marian Wolanski
Marian Wolanski, Partner - Belmore Neidrauer