Dr. Bethan Hopewell is a partner at Powell Gilbert LLP (www.powellgilbert.com). Her background in molecular biology has led her to specialise in advising clients in the life sciences sector. Bethan has represented clients in some of the largest and most complex life sciences disputes to come before the UK courts in recent years including the leading UK case on the validity and infringement of second medical use patents. Bethan’s recent work includes cases in the areas of DNA sequencing, molecular diagnostics and pharmaceutics. She also frequently acts for clients in patent licence disputes. Bethan represents clients before the UK Patents Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, as well as before the European Patent Office at opposition and appeal proceedings. Bethan has particular expertise in co-ordinating complex multi-jurisdictional patent disputes in the life sciences sector and is currently involved in a coordination exercise involving litigation in 15 European jurisdictions and Hong Kong. Her extensive co-ordination experience will be of key relevance in navigating the European litigation landscape as it increases in complexity with the advent of the UPC.
