Bethan’s practice focuses on complex IP disputes. Having studied molecular biology at degree and doctorate level she has particular expertise in the life sciences sector but also represents clients in cases covering a wide range of other technical areas, such as electronics and mechanical engineering.  

In recent years Bethan has represented clients on some of the leading patent cases in the fields of pharmaceutics, molecular diagnostics and biotechnology. She represents clients before all instances of the UK courts and has been lucky to be involved in two cases that have reached the Supreme Court.  These remain the key UK authorities on the law of industrial application and on the infringement and validity of second medical use patents. 

A significant aspect of Bethan’s practice involves the strategic coordination of multi-jurisdictional patent disputes.  Bethan frequently spearheads the coordination of large-scale litigation programs advising in respect of parallel actions before the European Patent Office and national courts in Europe, the US and beyond. This multijurisdictional angle to her work also now includes advising clients on actions before the Unified Patent Court.  

Bethan also advises on pharmaceutical regulatory issues, contested SPC disputes, patent licence disputes and freedom to operate projects. 

Bethan frequently lectures on IP law and is a tutor on the Oxford University IP Law and Practice diploma course.

Bethan joined Powell Gilbert as an associate when it was founded in 2007 and became a partner in 2016.  

Key Cases

• Gilead v NuCana (therapeutic nucleoside analogues)
• Royalty Pharma Collection Trust v Boehringer (patent licence dispute – DPP-IV inhibitors)
• Illumina v MGI (gene sequencing technology)
• GSK v Fibrogen (anaemia therapeutics)
• Chugai Pharmaceutical v UCB (patent licence dispute – antibody technology) 
• Illumina v Ariosa & Premaitha (non-invasive pre-natal testing)
• Unwired Planet v Huawei & Others (telecommunications)
• ​Merck Sharp & Dohme v Royalty Pharma Collection Trust (DPP-IV inhibitors)
• Warner-Lambert v Actavis & Others (pregabalin)
• Wobben Properties v Siemens & Others (wind turbines)
• Rovi v Virgin Media & TiVo (electronics)
• Eugen Seitz v KHS Corpoplast & Norgren (PET plastic technology)
• HTC v Gemalto (telecommunications)
• Eli Lilly v Human Genome Sciences (neutrokine alpha)
• Eli Lilly v Human Genome Sciences (SPCs – neutrokine alpha)
• Sandoz / ratiopharm v Napp (patents – controlled release oxycodone formulations) 
• Dr Reddy’s v Eli Lilly (olanzapine)
• Monsanto v Cargill (GM crops)
• Ferag AG v Muller Martini Ltd (print trimming machinery)
• Roche v Chiron (SPCs – trastuzumab and enfuvirtide)