VAP-1 Inhibitors Patent, Acucela Inc.

The European Patent Office published patent application EP3856194A2 for VAP-1 inhibitors assigned to Acucela Inc. The patent covers novel organic compounds (C07D 487/04) with pharmaceutical applications (A61K 31/53), designating all 44 EPC contracting states for protection.

CDK9 modulating compounds for cancer therapy

The European Patent Office granted patent EP3873911A1 to Kronos Bio, Inc. covering CDK9 modulating compounds and compositions for cancer therapy. The patent lists inventors Mikochik, Vacca, Freeman, and Tasker, with protection extending to 38 designated European states. This IP protection covers pyrrolopyridine and pyrazolopyridine derivatives targeting CDK9 for oncology applications.

Legalontech Word Mark Invalidity Decision

UK trademark invalidity decision legalontech word mark

Refugee charity cleared of false social media allegations

Refugee charity cleared of false social media allegations

Juniper Pharmacy Adverts Banned for Exploiting New Mothers

The UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) issued an enforcement ruling banning online pharmacy Juniper from running Instagram and Facebook adverts that promoted prescription-only weight-loss medication to the public and exploited the body image insecurities of new mothers. The ASA found Juniper's Facebook ads, including posts in weight-loss support groups that failed to disclose their sponsored nature, created an undue sense of urgency for consumers considering medicated weight-loss programmes.

Landlords Evicting Tenants Before Renters' Rights Act Takes Effect

The Guardian reports that landlords in England are accelerating no-fault evictions ahead of the Renters' Rights Act, which takes effect on 1 May 2026 and will abolish Section 21 evictions. The renters' union Acorn reports that no-fault evictions comprised one in five of its case reports in October, rising to nearly one in three by January 2026. Tenants face displacement as landlords rush to evict before the legal change.

UK and EU SPC Law Remains Aligned After High Court Ruling

The UK High Court issued a ruling on Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs), maintaining alignment between UK and EU SPC law. SPCs extend patent protection for pharmaceutical products to compensate for time spent in clinical trials and regulatory approval processes. The decision preserves existing protections for pharmaceutical patent holders.

Non-Disclosure in Divorce Financial Proceedings: When Court Duty Prevails

The Financial Remedies Journal publishes analysis of English family court decisions addressing non-disclosure obligations in divorce financial remedy proceedings. Courts have consistently held that parties owe a duty of full and frank financial disclosure to the court under MCA 1973 s 25, not merely to each other, and that one spouse cannot excuse the other from this duty simply because reasonable enquiry could have uncovered the information.

Parmjit Bassi v Network Rail - Race Harassment Award

The Southampton Employment Tribunal awarded £14,000 in compensation to Parmjit Bassi, a Network Rail track worker, after finding that placing an English Defence League (EDL) leaflet in his locker and a newspaper clipping of a knife attack in his boot constituted race harassment. The tribunal criticised Network Rail managers for their 'laissez-faire attitude' when Bassi reported the incidents.

Judge McKay: Unqualified Agency Advocates Risk Undermining Legal System

Deputy District Judge McKay at Cardiff County Court ruled on 8 April 2026 that unqualified advocates used by agencies pose a risk to the integrity of the legal system. The judge found that ELMS Legal failed to demonstrate meaningful supervision of Mr Razza, an unqualified advocate, as required by the Legal Services Act 2007. This follows a similar ruling in January 2026 by District Judge Pratt in Haverfordwest regarding solicitor's agents.