David Degen has handled highly complex and groundbreaking parallel trade and diverted goods cases, which is why he makes this list.

He has worked at Novartis since 2014, where he started as an intellectual property research assistant.

His nominator praises him for his impressive litigation drafting skills in English, high working capacity, ability to summarise complex cases and ease with working alongside high-level managers.

“He’s someone who has the potential to successfully lead a team in the future,” the nominator notes.

Degen says his role includes working on and leading many different aspects of trademark enforcement. His team strives to ensure its enforcement strategies advance the company’s business needs.

“Intellectual property departments in pharmaceutical companies must keep up with their organisations’ ambitions. They need innovation, creativity, and resilience, while also doing their part to contribute to the wellbeing of patients,” he says.