This week on MIP: Amgen biosimilar ban, new UPC judges

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 4 Bouverie Street, London, EC4Y 8AX

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

This week on MIP: Amgen biosimilar ban, new UPC judges

Sep 21, 2020 South San Francisco / CA / USA - Amgen sign at their headquarters in Silicon Valley; Amgen Inc. is an American multinational biopharmaceutical company

We provide a rundown of Managing IP’s news and analysis coverage from the week, and review what’s been happening elsewhere in IP

Amgen appeals over orphan drug biosimilar ban

Amgen has appealed against a German court order issued last Friday, August 4, after having earlier been forced to pull a drug for a rare blood disorder from the German market.

Alexion, a UK-based biologics developer owned by AstraZeneca, asserted orphan drug exclusivity (ODE) rights on its antibody treatment Soliris (eculizumab) against Amgen at the Munich Regional Court earlier this year.

Click here to read the full story.

Latest UPC judges named, more to come

The Unified Patent Court has unveiled the names of 21 newly appointed technically qualified judges.

The UPC published the list of names on its website on Wednesday, August 9. The decision to appoint new TQJs was taken on June 2 by the UPC’s Administrative Committee.

Click here to read the full story.

Interim head of EUIPO Boards of Appeal named

Gordon Humphreys will act as interim president of the EUIPO’s Boards of Appeal from October 1, Managing IP can confirm.

Humphreys, who chairs the First and Third Boards of Appeal, will take on the role once João Negrão, who is the current BoA president, takes over as executive director of the EUIPO.

Click here to read the full story.

Other articles published by Managing IP this week include:

PEP talk: counsel split on whether firms should trumpet partner earnings

Don't be a 'guinea pig' after Medtronic Fed Circuit case: counsel

Weekly take: No harm in senators exploring patent alternatives

AI is changing the way law firms work … here’s how

Five minutes with ... Victoria Randall, IP associate at Finnegan

CJEU more open to EUTM appeals after lengthy lockdown

Syngenta IP head laments ‘missed’ G2/21 opportunity amid EPO quality concerns

Quantum companies: tech complexity creates patent obstacles

Match made in heaven: how firms pick the right merger partners

Elsewhere in IP

Lost in translation

Writer and poet Yilin Wang has settled her copyright case against the British Museum after it admitted it used her translations without permission in an exhibition.

Wilko collapse

UK high street retailer Wilko’s collapse into administration this week has sparked discussion over potential intellectual property implications. Emma Kennaugh-Gallacher, a senior professional support lawyer at IP firm Mewburn Ellis in the UK, said administrators should consider Wilko’s IP assets as early as possible.

Wilko’s brand and range of household products have been protected with a corresponding portfolio of registered trademarks and designs and represent “substantial value,” Kennaugh-Gallacher said.

UKIPO priorities

The UKIPO listed standard essential patents (SEPs) and artificial intelligence among its analysis priorities on Tuesday, August 8. The document identifies the office’s main research objectives for the next 12 to 18 months. The UKIPO also vowed to undertake “ground-breaking research and analysis” to support the development of the UK’s IP framework.

Chinese wall

Dentons has split from its Chinese arm, Dacheng Law Offices, the firm confirmed on Tuesday, August 8. Both entities will operate as separate outfits in the future.

Dentons attributed the decision to the Chinese government’s regulatory mandates on local law firms. Both firms joined forces in 2015 to become the largest law firm globally by headcount, with 6,500 lawyers in around 50 offices.

UPC’s SEP debut

Panasonic has targeted Oppo in the first SEP complaint filed at the Unified Patent Court.

The Japanese tech firm has also filed suits in China, Germany, and the UK, it said in a statement on Wednesday, August 9.

Panasonic has also filed actions against Xiaomi.

The Tetris Effect

The editor-in-chief of tech news website Gizmodo has sued Apple and The Tetris Company in a New York federal court for adapting his book into a film without permission.

Dan Ackerman said he sent his 2016 book “The Tetris Effect” to the company behind the video game, which subsequently hit him with a cease-and-desist notice.

That's it for today, see you again next week.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Counsel explain how AI can create brand protection headaches, but also be used to fight fakes
An AI copyright update in the UK and IP protection efforts by Temu and WeChat were also among the top talking points this week
Mary Till says she has been helping clients navigate policy questions, including staffing concerns at the office
A seminal decision concerning second medical use patents and questions over confidentiality were among the top talking points this fortnight
Managing IP considers some of the key themes from the 2025 Annual Meeting and offers some tips for London 2026
A comparison of the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Managing IP EMEA Awards reveals the firms and companies that have been dominating Europe’s IP market year after year
Tuesday's coverage includes BD tips for aspiring partners, and a foray into the world of SEPs
Exclusive data reveals law firms are failing to go above and beyond for their corporate clients, with in-house counsel saying advisers should consider more transparent billing processes
Arty Rajendra and Gary Moss discuss why ‘thorough and intense’ preparation, plus the odd glass of wine, led to a record FRAND victory for their client
Monday’s coverage includes news of a potentially 'game-changing' trademark development in China and how practitioners are using AI
Gift this article