About Me

I am a Of Counsel in Bird & Bird's Intellectual Property department in the Madrid office.

I'm renowned for my specialism in IP and pharmaceutical law. I act on landmark pharmaceutical patent and SPC cases here in Spain.

I have extensive experience in patent litigation and appeals before the Spanish civil and administrative courts and the health authorities. My work includes multi-jurisdictional proceedings and strategic advice relating to pharmaceutical agreements and patents around product manufacture, distribution and clinical trials.

In addition, I advise companies in the technology sector where my work includes intellectual property and trade secrets litigation, as well as regulatory and contract law. Additionally, I help clients in the life sciences sector; drafting technology transfer contracts in the fields of pharmacy, biology, electronics and mechanics.

With great experience of legal matters around joint ventures, due diligence and contractual work I also advise universities, institutions and private biotech-entities on ownership and entitlement issues.

Before joining Bird & Bird in 2006, I was a partner at a Spanish law firm and an international law firm.

I also teach and lecture for universities, judicial schools and private institutions. I write extensively on Patent Law and other subjects.
Cases
  • Cases include Finasteride, Docetaxel, Drospirenone, Venlafaxine, HPV vaccine/Gardasil, representing the University of Queensland and CSL.
  • I also represented Oncostem, SL, in a patent and contractual action against CSIC.
Education

Studied

  • Università di Bologna, Laurea in Giurisprudenza, Law
  • Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Law

Admissions

  • Madrid Bar
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Testimonials

Manuel Lobato leads the charge, tenaciously defending the interests of high-technology and life sciences players. With a wide remit, he also advises on pharmaceutical regulatory issues and technology transfers.

WTR 1000 2021

Manuel Lobato, a 'great litigator with deep expertise that stretches way beyond IP law'. 'He has an outstanding reputation on the market and I rate him very highly,' reports one peer.

IAM Patent 1000 2021

'Has such a deep knowledge of the law that he is able to come out with interpretations that no one else has thought about.' Interviewees describe him as ' the academic and the strategic mind' behind some of the firm's key cases.

Chambers Europe 2021

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