Duncan Curley
Partner
Dr Duncan Curley is a partner in the IP team. He has over 25 years of experience of advising clients on intellectual property disputes, including patents, trademarks, designs and confidential information.
He has advised clients on claims before the Patents Court, the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC), the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court (previously the House of Lords). Duncan also has experience of international arbitration work involving patents, IP and licensing. His particular expertise is in advising on freedom to operate, market entry strategies and patent litigation for companies operating in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical sectors. Duncan assists companies at all stages of the product development process through to launch, on patent issues relating to manufacturing, formulation advice and product labelling. He advises on the regulatory aspects of clinical drug development, including data and market exclusivities, orphan exclusivities and related exclusivities for paediatric clinical work. Duncan is an expert on supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) for medicinal, veterinary and agrochemical products and on patent entitlement (ownership) issues.
I did a PhD in chemistry and I really enjoy using the knowledge that I acquired at university in my day-to-day work on pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. I still find my work on managing patent risks and securing market access for companies operating in the life sciences extremely rewarding, even after doing it for over 25 years.
He is ranked for his patent expertise in the IAM 1000, and is the author of over 50 published articles and a regular contributor to public policy debates on IP issues. He co-wrote the chapter on ‘Patents and Data Exclusivity for Medicinal Products’ in OUP’s book, Overlapping Intellectual Property Rights, and has also authored a textbook on the European Patent Licensing Block Exemption Regulation and a report (for the Intellectual Property Institute) on SPCs. Duncan is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA).
Recent work highlights
Patent litigation
Perindopril launch
Patent revocation claim
Patent litigation
Formulation patent
Dimethyl fumarate launch strategy
MS drug launch strategy
Advising UK-based pharmaceutical company
Orphan drug designations
Patent intelligence
Patent and market entry analysis
Freedom to operate
MS drug launch strategy
Advising UK-based pharmaceutical company
Orphan drug designations
Patent intelligence
Patent and market entry analysis
Freedom to operate
External recognition
What people are saying
Duncan Curley is… quick to assimilate the complex technical nuances of matters and dispenses solid, holistic advice, particularly excelling when advising on freedom to operate (FTO) and market entry.
You always have a solution to many of our matters… the combination of expertise, lateral thinking and client-centric approach sets you apart from other firms.
An experienced litigator with an excellent eye for detail, incisive mind and a vast bank of specialist knowledge and technical expertise, Duncan’s is the safest pair of hands to guide you through tricky grey areas of law.
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