Patrick E. Kierans

Biography

Patrick E. Kierans practises in all areas of intellectual property law as a barrister, solicitor, trade-mark agent and patent agent. His expertise includes intellectual property litigation involving patents, trade-marks, copyright and acts of unfair competition, including misappropriation of trade secrets.

With many successful matters to his credit involving hundreds of millions of dollars, Mr. Kierans is often retained to lead complex intellectual property litigation involving, in particular, innovative pharmaceutical products. He has represented major pharmaceutical, telecommunications, credit card and consumer products companies. Mr. Kierans frequently gives opinions on infringement, validity and freedom to operate. He also frequently counsels the pharmaceutical industry on regulatory affairs, licensing, joint ventures and other development agreements. He regularly gives presentations on intellectual property law. Mr. Kierans practises before the courts of Quebec and Ontario, the Federal Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Mr. Kierans is a member of our Executive Committee.

Year of Call

• Ontario Bar 1979
• Quebec Bar 1979

Year of Registration

• Canada (patents) 1981
• United States (patents) 1981
• United States (trade-marks) 1981
• Canada (trade-marks) 1979

Law School

• LL.B., McGill University, 1977
• B.C.L., McGill University, 1976

EDUCATION

• M.Eng., Electrical Systems, Carleton University, 1972
• B.Sc., Electrical Engineering, Loyola College of Montréal, 1970

Selected Client Work

• Counsel to Merck Frosst in connection with its successful appeal of the first trial decision under section 8 of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations
• Represented major pharmaceutical companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Alcon, Sanofi-Synthelabo and Celltech (Medeva)
• Represented Ericsson Telecommunications
• Advised and represented cable operator Vidéotron
• Acts for Pepsi
• Acts for Fairmont Hotels
• Acted for VISA, Hard Rock Café and Isotoner gloves
• Apotex Inc. et al. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd.; Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. v. Novopharm Ltd.; Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. v. Interpharm Inc. et al. (1998), 81 C.P.R. (3d) 59, (Federal Court Trial Division), Wetston J - patent infringement award in respect of AZT damages reference [Following success in the Supreme Court of Canada in December 2002, Mr. Kierans is currently prosecuting the reference for damages for patent infringement in which an amount in excess of $300 million is claimed].
• Merck & Co., Inc. v. Apotex Inc., [2006] F.C.J. No. 798 (Federal Court) (Successfully obtaining Judgment upholding the validity of the Merck patent for Lisinopril and Judgment confirming infringement of that patent by Apotex) Merck & Co., Inc. v. Apotex Inc., [2006] F.C.J. Nos. 1367, 1368, 1490 and 1491 (Federal Court of Appeal) (Successfully defending against the appeal by Apotex against a finding of validity and infringement of Merck's patent for Lisinopril confirming the Judgment of the Trial Court and its reference for damages to be assessed in favour of Merck; Apotex leave to appeal to SCC dismissed in May 2007)
• Fairmont Hotels Inc. v. Canada (Director of Corporations), [2007] F.C.J. No. 133, 2007 FC 95, (F.C.)
• Ferring Inc. v. Canada (Minister of Health) (2007), 55 C.P.R. (4th) 271 (F.C.)
• Pharmascience Inc. v. GlaxoSmithKline Inc., [2007] F.C.J. No. 493, 2007 FC 360, (F.C.)
• Merck & Co. v. Apotex Inc. (2006), 53 C.P.R. (4th) 1 (F.C.) [Hughes J. decision]
• Merck & Co. v. Apotex Inc. (2006), 53 C.P.R. (4th) 69 (F.C.) [Hughes J. decision - costs]
• Merck & Co. v. Apotex Inc., [2006] F.C.J. No. 1367, 2006 FCA 296, (F.C.A.) [amendments - Apotex appeal]
• Merck & Co. v. Apotex Inc., [2006] F.C.J. No. 1368, 2006 FCA 297, (F.C.A.) [amendments - GSK appeal]
• Merck & Co. v. Apotex Inc. (2006), 55 C.P.R. (4th) 1 (F.C.A.) [appeal of Hughes J. decision]
• Merck & Co. v. Apotex Inc. (2006), 55 C.P.R. (4th) 81 (F.C.A.) [appeal of Hughes J. decision - costs]
• Merck & Co. v. Apotex Inc. (2005), 41 C.P.R. (4th) 35 (F.C.) [PM(NOC) - alendronate]
• Apotex Inc. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd. [2004] F.C.J. No. 731 (F.C.A.)
• Apotex Inc. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd. [2004] F.C.J. No. 261 (F.C.)
• GlaxoSmithKline Inc. v. Canada (Minister of Health), [2004] F.C.J. No. 191 (F.C.)
• 671905 Alberta Inc. v. Q'Max Solutions Inc., [2003] S.C.C.A. No. 381 (S.C.C.)
• 671905 Alberta Inc. v. Q'Max Solutions Inc., [2003] 4 F.C. 713 (F.C.A.)
• Ferring Inc. v. Canada (Attorney General), [2003], S.C.C.A. No. 396 (S.C.C.)
• Ferring Inc. v. Canada (Attorney General) (2003), 26 C.P.R. (4th) 136, 2003 FCT 293, [2003] F.C.J. No. 409
• Ferring Inc. v. Canada (Attorney General), 2003 FCA 152, [2003] F.C.J. No. 459
• Ferring Inc. v. Canada (Attorney General) (2003), 26 C.P.R. (4th) 155, 2003 FCA 274, [2003] F.C.J. No. 982
• 671905 Alberta Inc. v. Q'Max Solutions Inc., 2003 FCA 241, [2003] F.C.J. No. 873
• GlaxoSmithKline Inc. v. Canada (Minister of Health) and Pharmascience Inc., 2003 FC 899, [2003] F.C.J. No. 1151
• Merck & Co., Inc. v. Canada (Minister of Health), 2003 FC 1242, [2003] F.C.J. No. 1565
• Apotex Inc. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd. [2002], S.C.J. No. 78 (Supreme Court of Canada) (Successfully obtained an unanimous decision of the 9 member panel of the Supreme Court of Canada confirming the validity of the Canadian patent covering zidovudine (AZT) for the treatment of HIV infection, the original pioneering breakthrough in the treatment of AIDS.)
• Merck Frosst Canada & Co. v. Canada (Minister of Health) [2002], F.C.J. No. 1608, (2002) F.C.R. 1195 (Federal Court Trial Division)
• G.D. Searle & Co. v. Merck & Co. (2002), F.C.T. 540 (Federal Court Trial Division) Heneghan J.
• Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson v. Harris Canada, Inc. (2002), F.C.T. 599 (Federal Court Trial Division), O'Keefe J.
• Apotex Inc. v. Glaxo Group Ltd. [2001], F.C.J. No. 1863 (Federal Court Trial Division), Kelen J.
• Apotex Inc. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd. [2002], S.C.C.A. No. 610 (S.C.C.), [2002], S.C.J. No. 78.
• Apotex Inc. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd., [2001] 1 F.C. 495 (C.A.), 10 C.P.R. (4th) 65
• Glaxo Group Ltd. v. Canada (Minister of National Health and Welfare) (2001), 11 C.P.R. (4th) 417 (Federal Court of Appeal)
• Glaxo Group Ltd. v. Canada (Minister of Health), [2001] F.C.J. No. 159, 2001 FCT 16
• Apotex Inc. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd., [2001] F.C.J. No. 37 (C.A.), 270 N.R. 304
• Merck Frosst Canada Inc. v. Canada (Minister of Health), [2001] F.C.J. No. 15 (T.D.)
• Merck Frosst Canada & Co. v. Canada (Minister of Health) (2000), 7 C.P.R. (4th) 522 (Federal Court Trial Division)
• Connaught Laboratories Ltd. v. Medeva Pharma Ltd. (2000), 4 C.P.R. (4th) 521 (Federal Court of Appeal)
• Merck Frosst Canada & Co. v. Canada (Minister of Health) (2000), 189 F.T.R. 126, [2000] F.C.J. No. 559
• Glaxo Group Ltd. v. Canada (Minister of National Health and Welfare) (2001), F.C.A. 96 (Federal Court of Appeal)
• Glaxo Group Ltd. v. Canada (Minister of National Health and Welfare) (2001), FCT 16 (Federal Court Trial Division), Hansen J.
• Apotex Inc. et al. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd.; Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. v. Novopharm Ltd. (2001), 10 C.P.R. (4th) 65 (Federal Court of Appeal)
• Merck Frosst Canada Inc. et al. v. Canada (Minister of Health) (2000), 7 C.P.R. (4th) 522 (Federal Court Trial Division), O'Keefe J.
• Connaught Laboratories Ltd. v. Medeva Pharma Ltd. (2000), 4 C.P.R. (4th) 521 (Federal Court of Appeal)
• Merck Frosst Canada Inc. et al. v. Canada (Minister of Health) (2000), 189 F.T.R. 126 (Federal Court Trial Division), O'Keefe J.
• Connaught Laboratories Ltd. v. Medeva Pharma Ltd. (1999), 4 C.P.R. (4th) 508 (Federal Court Trial Division), Sharlow J.
• Apotex Inc. et al. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd.; Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. v. Novopharm Ltd. (1999), 3 C.P.R. (4th) 342 (Federal Court Trial Division), Lemieux J.
• Merck Frosst Canada Inc. et al. v. Canada (Minister of Health) (1999), 87 C.P.R. (3d) 30 (Federal Court of Appeal)
• Monsanto Co. v. Canada (Commissioner of Patents) (1999), 1 C.P.R. (4th) 500 (Federal Court Trial Division), Dubé J.
• Connaught Laboratories Ltd. v. SmithKline Beecham Pharma Inc. (1998), 86 C.P.R. (3d) 36, (Federal Court Trial Division), Gibson J.
• Merck Frosst Canada Inc. et al. v. Canada (Minister of Health) et al. (1998), 84 C.P.R. (3d) 170, (Federal Court Trial Division), Blais J.
• Apotex Inc. et al. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. (1998), 82 C.P.R. (3d) 429, (Federal Court of Appeal), Marceau, Linden and Robertson JJ.A.
• Apotex Inc. et al. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd.; Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. v. Novopharm Ltd.; Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. v. Interpharm Inc. et al. (1998), 81 C.P.R. (3d) 191, (Federal Court Trial Division), Campbell J.
• Apotex Inc. et al. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd.; Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. v. Novopharm Ltd.; Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. v. Interpharm Inc. et al. (1998), 81 C.P.R. (3d) 59, (Federal Court Trial Division), Wetston J. (Successfully obtaining Judgment after a 6-month trial confirming the validity of the patent for AZT and declaration of infringement against Apotex and Novopharm)
• Apotex Inc. et al. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd.; Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. v. Novopharm Ltd.; Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. v. Interpharm Inc. et al. (1997), 79 C.P.R. (3d) 193, (Federal Court Trial Division), Wetston J.
• Glaxo Wellcome Inc. et al. v. Minister of National Health and Welfare et al. (1997), 75 C.P.R. (3d) 129, (Federal Court Trial Division), Teitelbaum J.
• Glaxo Wellcome Inc. et al. v. Canada (Minister of National Health and Welfare) et al. (1996), 69 C.P.R. (3d) 190, (Federal Court Trial Division), Rouleau J.
• Cabot Safety Intermediate Corp. v. Arkon Safety Equipment Inc. (1996), 68 C.P.R. (3d) 490, (Federal Court Trial Division), Morneau, Prothonotary
• Apotex Inc. et al. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd. and two other actions (1996), 68 C.P.R. (3d) 23, (Federal Court Trial Division), Tremblay-Lamer J.
• Burroughs Wellcome Inc. v. Novopharm Ltd. et al. (1994), 58 C.P.R. (3d) 513, (Federal Court Trial Division), McKeown J.
• Merck Frosst Canada Inc. et al. v. Minister of National Health and Welfare et al. (1994), 55 C.P.R. (3d) 176, (Federal Court Trial Division), Jerome A.C.J.
• Apotex Inc. et al. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd. (1993), 51 C.P.R. (3d) 305, (Federal Court Trial Division), MacKay J.
• Apotex Inc. et al. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd. (1993), 51 C.P.R. (3d) 322, (Federal Court Trial Division), MacKay J.
• Apotex Inc. et al. v. Wellcome Foundation Ltd.; Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. v. Interpharm Inc. et al. (1993), 51 C.P.R. (3d) 480, (Federal Court Trial Division), MacKay J.
• Visa International Service Assn. v. Auto Visa Inc. (1991), 41 C.P.R. (3d) 77, (Quebec Superior Court), Durocher J.
• Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. v. Interpharm Inc. et al. (1992), 41 C.P.R. (3d) 215, (Federal Court Trial Division), Joyal J.
• Unitel Communications Inc. v. Bell Canada (1991), 36 C.P.R. (3d) 218, (Federal Court Trial Division), Pinard J.
• Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. v. Apotex Inc. et al. (1990), 34 C.P.R. (3d) 191, (Federal Court Trial Division), Jerome A.C.J.
• Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. v. Apotex Inc. et al. (1990), 32 C.P.R. (3d) 350, (Federal Court Trial Division), Muldoon J.
• Wellcome Foundation Ltd. et al. v. Apotex Inc. et al. (1990), 32 C.P.R. (3d) 358, (Federal Court Trial Division), Muldoon J.
• Block Drug Co. v. Burroughs Wellcome Inc., [1990] F.C.J. No. 20, (Federal Court Trial Division) Jerome A.C.J.
• PEAC Research Inc. and BBM Bureau of Measurement v. Videotron Ltee and Videoway Ltee. [1990], O.J. No. 2137, (Ont. Ct. Gen. Div.), Clark, Master
• Tandy Corp. v. Video Shack [1989], F.C.J. No. 1145, (Federal Court Trial Division), Daoust J.
• Gerber Scientific Products, Inc. v. Amber Technologies [1989], F.C.J. No. 1060, (Federal Court Trial Division), Daoust J.
• Allseas Engineering B.V. v. Marine Structure Consultants (MSC) B.V. et al. (1986), 13 C.P.R. (3d) 84, (Quebec Superior Court), Tannenbaum J.
• Selection Testing Consultants International Ltd. v. Humanex International Inc. et al. [1986] F.C.J. No. 552, (Federal Court Trial Division), Collier J.
• Selection Testing Consultants International Ltd. v. Humanex International Inc. et al. (1986) 11 C.P.R. (3d) 574, (Federal Court Trial Division), Collier J.
• Selection Testing Consultants International Ltd. v. Humanex International Inc. et al. (1986) 10 C.P.R. (3d) 277, (Federal Court Trial Division), Collier J.
• Bayliner Marine Corporation v. Doral Boats Ltd. (1985), 5 C.P.R. (3d) 289, (Federal Court Trial Division), Walsh J.

Publications

• "Canada's Access to Medicines Regime", Patent World, Issue #203, June 2008.
• "Guide to Canada's Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations", Ogilvy Renault, 10th Anniversary Edition with foreword by The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, March 2003.
• "Injunctions - Interlocutory and Permanent", Chapter 15, Intellectual Property Disputes, Thomson-Carswell, 2002.
• "Court Sets Out Creative Authorship As Threshold Test For Copyright", The Law Times, January 17, 2000.
• "Protective Orders Are Needed In Patent Cases", The Lawyers Weekly, December 17, 1999.
• "New Drug Launches: Understanding the Imperatives For Success - Key Legal Considerations", IMSWorld Publications Ltd., London, England, December 1999.
• "A Guide to Canada's Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations", Ogilvy Renault, November 1999 and June 2000 Editions.
• "Clinical Trial Data Case Puts Canada Out of Step", The Lawyers Weekly, April 30, 1999.
• "New Cases May Support Future IP Interlocutory Injunctions", The Lawyers Weekly, June 26, 1998.
• "Patents of Invention: Indispensable to the Innovative Business", 3 articles, Plan, Order of Engineers of Québec, 1982-83.

Speaking Engagements

• Regularly called upon to give presentations on intellectual property law
• "TRIPS & NAFTA: Forgotten Promises - Is Canada compliant with its International Obligations?", 5th Annual Forum on Pharma Patents, The Canadian Institute, October 2006
• "Analytical Decision Making: A Legal Perspective", American Intellectual Property Law Association Mid-Winter Institute, January 2005
• "Licensing in the Pharmaceutical Industry", IP Licensing Agreements Conference, June 2004
• "Science and the Law: In the Context of Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations", Federal Court Judges Conference, May 2004
• "Patent Law and the Food and Drug Regulations", Regulatory Affairs for Industry - Humber College, March 2004
• "Preliminary Comments on Bill C-9 - Canada's Proposal to Implement Paragraphs 6 of the DOHA Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health of August 30, 2003 and Canada's Obligation under TRIPS and NAFTA", Insight Conference on Drug Patents, March 2004
• "Joint Ventures, Co-Development and Co-Promotion Agreement in the Field of Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology", The Canadian Institute Workshop, February 2004
• "How to Solve Practical Problems in Digital Discovery", American Intellectual Property Law Association, La Quinta, CA, January 2004
• "Licensing Agreements for Technology Transfer: Obligations of the Licensee", The Canadian Institute Workshop, December 2003
• "Licensing Agreements for Technology Transfer: Workshop on Negotiating and Drafting Intellectual Property License Agreements", The Canadian Institute, June 2003
• "A View of the NOC Regulations From Counsel Representing Research-Based Pharmaceuticals and Generic Drug Companies", Insight Conference on Drug Patents - The Latest Developments and Strategies, March 2003
• "Patent Law and the Food and Drug Regulations", Regulatory Affairs for Industry - Humber College, February 2003
• "Evolution of Canadian Legislation Affecting Innovative Drug Patents", Food and Drug Law Institute, Washington, DC, December 2002
• "Pharmaceutical Data Protection" Food and Drug Law Institute, Washington, DC, December 2002
• "Hatch-Waxman Update 2002 - Canadian Perspective", Food and Drug Law Institute, Washington, DC, December 2002
• "Licensing Agreements for Technology Transfer, Workshop on Negotiating and Drafting Intellectual Property License Agreements", The Canadian Institute, December 2002
• "Injunctions in IP Disputes", Insight Conference on Intellectual Property Disputes, November 2002
• "Pharmaceutical Data Protection - Barrier to Unfair Market Entry", The Canadian Institute Forum on Pharma Patents, October 2002
• "Patent Law and the Food and Drug Regulations", Regulatory Affairs for Industry - Humber College, March 2002
• "Licensing Agreements for Technology Transfer: Obligations of the Licensee", (Patrick E. Kierans and Darren Noseworthy), The Canadian Institute Workshop, December 2001
• "International Intellectual Property" (Patrick Kierans, Course Chair) Osgoode Hall Law School Continuing Legal Education, October 2001
• "The AZT Story: Drugs and Patent Law", Canadian Society for Chemistry, 84th Conference and Exhibition, Montréal, Québec, May 2001
• "Evolution of Legislation Affecting Innovative Drug Patents", (Patrick E. Kierans and Darren Noseworthy), Presented to the National Judicial Institute - Seminar in Intellectual Property for Federal Court Judges, Ottawa, May 2001
• "Licensing Agreements for Technology Transfer: Obligations of the Licensee", (Patrick E. Kierans and Darren Noseworthy), The Canadian Institute Workshop, December 2000
• "Preparing For A Patent Trial" (Patrick Kierans and Nadine D'Aguiar), York University, Osgoode Hall Law School, Conducting a Patent Trial Conference, May 2000, Toronto, Ontario
• "Canadian Patent Owners Deprived of Years of Exclusivity" (Patrick Kierans and Nadine D'Aguiar), The News of Course (The N.O.C.), The Canadian Association of Professional Regulatory Affairs (CAPRA), April 2000
• "Patenting and Licensing Biotechnology Conference", Toronto Biotechnology Initiative/Intellectual Property Institute of Canada, November 1999
• "Licensing Agreements for Technology Transfer: Obligations of the Licensee", The Canadian Institute Workshop, November 1999
• "What Corporate Counsel Must Know About Trade-marks", Canadian Corporate Counsel Association Annual Meeting, Vancouver, August 1996
• "Pharmaceutical Patent Linkage Legislation", The Canadian Institute Seminar, September 1994
• "Intellectual Property Law Issues in Starting a Business", Centre for Intelligent Machines, McGill University, May 1994
• "What Marketing People Must Know About Trade-marks", Seminar to Bell Canada, Marketing Group, May 1993
• Un nouveau souffle pour l'industrie du médicament breveté" (Patrick Kierans and Ginette Leclerc), Action Canada, France, Revue de la chambre de commerce française au Canada, September 1992
• "Intellectual Property Law Issues in the High Technology Sphere", IRIS-Precarn Second Annual Conference, June 1992
• "Corporate Intellectual Property Audit - Trade-marks", The Montréal Board of Trade, January 1990
• "Technology Licensing - Who Can You Turn To For Help?", The Canadian Bar Association and The Montréal Board of Trade, June 1989
• "Clinique Protection de l'information électronique", Panelist, June 1987
• "Canadian Conflict Practice", Selected Legal Papers, American Intellectual Property Law Association, July 1986
• "L'Ingénieur manie tout, le génie mène à tout", Conference of the Association des diplômés de l'École Polytechnique de Montréal, March 1986

Media Highlights

• "Court Limits Damages For Generic Drug Companies," Law Times, September 21, 2009.
• "A Fair Fight Won," Counsel to Counsel, July 20, 2009.
• "The Lonely Guys Of Litigation," Globe and Mail, March 25, 2009.
• "Canada High Court Delivers Good News to Patent Owners," Managing Intellectual Property , November 10, 2008.
• "Supreme Court Strengthens Drug Patent Protection," The Globe and Mail, November 6, 2008.

Rankings and Recognitions

• 2010 Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-border Litigation Lawyers in Canada
• Lexpert / American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers for Canada - Most frequently recommended for Intellectual Property Litigation
• The Best Lawyers in Canada, 2010 - Biotechology Law, Intellectual Property Law
• The International Who's Who of Patent Lawyers, 2010
• The International Who's Who of Life Sciences Lawyers, 2008
• Global Counsel Life Sciences Handbook
• Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
• Global Counsel Intellectual Property Handbook
• Ranked Tier 1 in Intellectual Property, Chambers Global Guide, 2007 
• Best Lawyers in Canada
• PLC Which Lawyer?
• AV Peer Review Rating from LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell
• The Legal Media Group Guide to the World's Leading Patent Law Practitioners

Memberships and Activities

• Canadian Bar Association
• Order of Engineers of the Province of Quebec
• Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario
• Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (past Councillor, past Chariman of Montréal section)
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Licensing Executives Society (past chairman of LES Montréal and past chairman of the LES Fellowship Committee)
• American Intellectual Property Law Association
• International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property
• Advocates' Society TorontoToronto Biotechnology Initiative
• For ten years, was responsible for a law course at McGill University (Intellectual property law)