Matthew Parker KC and Emma Hughes act for the University of Sheffield in landmark AstraZeneca patent rights dispute

Matthew Parker KC and Emma Hughes acted for the University of Sheffield in High Court proceedings against AstraZeneca UK Limited and its subsidiary, KuDOS Pharmaceuticals Limited.

The dispute concerned a licence agreement under which the University licensed its intellectual property relating to PARP inhibitor technology for the development of targeted cancer drugs. The University alleged that amendments made to the licence in 2017 were induced by fraudulent misrepresentations.

The proceedings have concluded following a settlement under which AstraZeneca agreed to pay US$220 million to the University, without any admission of liability. According to public reports, the settlement is one of the largest ever received by a UK university in relation to a commercial dispute.

Matthew and Emma acted for the University of Sheffield, instructed by Christopher Sharp and Emily Swithenbank of Pinsent Masons.