A New Era for EU Pharma
The EU has adopted its most significant reform of pharmaceutical legislation in over twenty years.
Laura deals with all aspects of contentious and advisory work across the full spectrum of IP rights including patents, trade marks, copyright, designs and confidential information.
She is particularly experienced in complex high-stakes multi-jurisdictional patent disputes and has acted in many of the most significant patent cases that have come before the Irish Court in recent years.
Laura’s expertise also covers regulatory law in the life sciences sector and she advises on matters arising across the life cycle of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technology products from research and development through to regulatory approval, market access and supply (including clinical trials, authorizations, data/market exclusivity, product labelling, pricing / reimbursement, off-licence use, advertising and marketing, interactions with healthcare professionals, pharmacovigilance and product liability/safety/recall). She also has broader regulatory experience in the fields of telecommunications and broadcast media and handles judicial review actions, statutory appeals and other legal challenges in the regulatory sphere.
Laura has maintained Tier 1/Gold/ Leading individual rankings for both intellectual property and life sciences in all major legal directories for many years and her team has also maintained its top-ranking status in these directories. Laura has been recognised among Managing IP’s “Top 250 Women in IP” globally since its inception.
She is also a long-standing member of the Law Society’s IP & Data Protection Committee.
Recent significant cases include representing/advising:
- Bayer in patent revocation proceedings brought by Sandoz in the Commercial Court in relation to a dosing regime for an anticoagulant medicine (Xarelto®/rivaroxaban).
- Moderna in patent infringement proceedings against Pfizer and BioNTech in respect of an mRNA vaccine product (Comirnaty®) and in defence of a counterclaim for invalidity.
- Skyscanner in defending Commercial Court proceedings by Ryanair alleging copyright and database right infringement, passing off and breach of contract and in a competition law counterclaim against Ryanair.
- Essity Healthcare in trade mark infringement, patent infringement and passing off proceedings before the Commercial Court.
- Merck Serono in proceedings against the Controller of Intellectual Property in an appeal to challenge the Controller’s decision to refuse an SPC for a treatment for multiple sclerosis (Mavenclad®/cladribine).
- Eli Lilly in Commercial Court proceedings seeking revocation of a Novartis patent and in the defence of infringement proceedings (including a competition law counterclaim against Novartis) with respect to Lilly’s product, Taltz®/ixekizumab for the treatment of psoriasis.
- ViiV Healthcare in Commercial Court patent infringement proceedings against Gilead Sciences in respect of an anti-retroviral HIV treatment (Biktarvy®/bictegravir) and in the defence of Gilead’s counterclaim for invalidity.
- Clonmel Healthcare (Irish subsidiary of STADA) in the defence of Commercial Court proceedings issued by Merck Sharpe & Dohme (MSD) with both the preliminary injunction proceedings and substantive proceedings being appealed to the Supreme Court and a CJEU reference being made in relation to the SPC regulation.
- Genentech in its Commercial Court SPC patent infringement proceedings against Amgen in respect of an anti-VEGF antibody used in the treatment of cancer.
- Eli Lilly Commercial Court in patent revocation proceedings in respect of a patent owned by Eisai Pharmaceuticals relating to the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Merck Sharpe Dohme (MSD) in the defence of Commercial Court patent infringement proceedings brought by Bristol-Myers Squibb / Ono Pharmaceuticals / Tasuko Honjo relating to anti-PD-1 antibodies in the treatment of cancer and MSD’s product, Keytruda® and in MSD’s counterclaim for invalidity.
- Boehringer Ingelheim in the defence of two sets of Commercial Court proceedings brought by Teva Pharmaceuticals, seeking the revocation of a patent and a supplementary protection certificate in relation to its Spiriva® respiratory product.
- GSK in Commercial Court patent infringement proceedings against Pfizer in relation to a MenB vaccine and in defence of Pfizer’s counterclaim for invalidity.
- GSK in Commercial Court trade mark infringement and passing off proceedings against Rowex Limited in relation to an asthma inhaler product.
- Boston Scientific in the defence of Commercial Court patent infringement proceedings relating to coronary stents brought by OrbusNeich and in a counterclaim for invalidity of the patents at issue.
2026 Chambers Europe
"Laura ticks every box. She is a great communicator with all levels and provides clear, pragmatic and appropriate advice." "Laura Scott brings exceptional rigour and creativity to IP enforcement and brand strategy, with a calm authority that inspires confidence in complex or high-stakes matters." "What truly distinguishes Laura is her accessibility, responsiveness, and ability to translate intricate legal issues into practical, business-focused solutions."
2026 Legal 500 EMEA
"Colette Brady and Laura Scott have shown an impressive ability to balance deep legal expertise in intellectual property with strong business insight, offering advice and solutions that support both legal credibility and commercial success. I highly recommend them for their exceptional legal services in intellectual property matters."
2026 IAM Patent
"At the forefront of the life sciences offering is senior partner Laura Scott, who leads the firm's contentious IP and life sciences groups. A seasoned strategist in cross-border patent battles, she has acted in many of Ireland's most significant recent patent disputes, representing leading innovators including GSK, Eli Lilly, Bayer and Moderna."
2026 WTR 1000
"The champion of the firm’s contentious work is Laura Scott, internationally recognised for her 'incomparable command on trademark matters, EU opposition proceedings, demand letters, complex legal analysis and beyond' "
2025 Legal 500 EMEA
"Laura Scott is head and shoulders above her peers at other firms in Dublin; for good reason as she is second to none when it comes to patent litigation in Ireland with superb communication skills, knowledge base and determination to secure the best outcome for her clients." "Laura is my go-to contact on all patent litigation matters. She gives great confidence and reassurance to clients on the matters under her control." "Commercial, knowledgeable and able to explain complicated issues clearly."
2024 Chambers Europe
"Laura Scott's commitment to the client and attention to the client's commercial objectives are remarkable.” “Laura has an incredible wealth of experience.” “Laura has a huge amount of litigation experience and a very long track record. She gives it 100% and is a joy to work with.”
2024 Legal 500 EMEA
"Laura Scott is one of the leading lights in Irish litigation. She is incredibly calm and measured in her approach and has impeccable judgment. She can turn her hand at any type of litigation and has the 'Midas Touch' with clients"
Article and Insights
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William Fry Wins Irish Patent Litigation Firm of the Year at the Global IP Awards
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The Regulatory Landscape for Medical Devices at the Close of 2023
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Supreme Court Refuses Teva Leave to Appeal Preliminary Injunction Order
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