Andrew Wells

His matters have spanned subject matter including antibodies, catalysts, electronic consumer devices, fuel cells, genetics, medical imaging, mining technology, maritime technology, robotics, semiconductor circuitry and small molecules, reflecting his flexibility in dealing with technically complex subject matter.

Andrew has over a decade’s experience of major patent litigation cases in the High Court and Court of Appeal, as well as advising on European and global patent litigation strategy, working with law firms globally. He has attended and advised on strategy in relation to opposition hearings at the European Patent Office in Munich (both revoking and defending patents) as well as trials in several countries. He has also been involved in work relating to the Unified Patent Court (UPC) and the UK Intellectual Property Office.

Andrew also works with clients across various sectors on a range of other intellectual property issues, including in relation to freedom to operate analysis, the negotiation of collaboration / commercialisation / license agreements, patent strategy and corporate mergers and acquisitions.

Accolades

• Featured in IAM 300 World's Leading IP Strategists 2024
• "Up and Coming" in Chambers UK 2024 & 2025: Intellectual Property – Patent Litigation
• "Andrew is an extremely talented lawyer who is always a pleasure to work with. He is very practical in his advice whilst never compromising on quality."
• Recommended for Patent Litigation in IAM Patent 1000 in 2023 & 2024
• “Andrew Wells is [a] trusted adviser to leading life sciences companies. He devises winning litigation strategies through digging deep into the details to stay one step ahead of his opponents”
• Recommended Individual for Patents in Legal 500 UK 2024
• "Andrew Wells shows exceptional ability and strategic supremacy."
• "Andrew Wells is an expert in European and global patent strategy"
• One of only three UK solicitors listed as "Ones to Watch" for patent litigation in JUVE Patent 2024
• Rising Star in Managing IP's IP Stars 2023 & 2024

Andrew is also an excellent academic lawyer – for example, in 2019 AIPPI UK awarded him the prize for the best contribution to the patents study question that year, in advance of the AIPPI World Congress.  In 2023, a review article which Andrew had written for the Journal of Intellectual Property Law and Practice was cited by the EPO's Enlarged Board of Appeal its high profile decision on plausibility in patent law, in case G 2/21.

Mental Health Advocate

Andrew is also a mental health advocate within the legal profession.  After suffering a prolonged and, at times, severe bout of anxiety and depression in the mid-2010s he went on to share his experiences with a range of organisations through his talk 'Mind Your Head! What I Wish I'd Known About Anxiety & Depression'. 

He Sponsors HSF's Mental Health Champion Steering Committee for the West Region (UK, US & EMEA) and has been named an Emerging Leader by InsideOut for his openness and advocacy around mental health.

Background

Prior to his career in law, Andrew completed a four year degree in Natural Sciences graduating with a first class BA/MSci from the University of Cambridge.  His final year included a research project in synthetic organic chemistry with the Paterson group.  Andrew completed the University of Oxford Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice, being awarded a Distinction in July 2013.

Andrew is admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales and in Ireland.