University of Sheffield v Kudos Pharmaceuticals Ltd & Ors [2025] EWHC 1476 (Ch) (20 June 2025)

University of Sheffield v Kudos Pharmaceuticals Ltd & Ors [2025] EWHC 1476 (Ch) (20 June 2025)

The claimant is entitled to clarification of the defendants' case on alternative transaction structures relevant to damages, and the court's jurisdiction to order further information is not restricted by technical non-compliance with Practice Direction 18. The appropriate date for compliance is 7 October 2025, aligning with the extended disclosure deadline and allowing both parties adequate time to prepare for the preliminary expert meeting.

Citation
[2025] EWHC 1476 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant: The University of Sheffield; Defendant: Kudos Pharmaceuticals Limited; Defendant: AstraZeneca UK Limited; Defendant: AstraZeneca Intermediate Holdings Limited; Defendant: AstraZeneca PLC
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 June 2025
Procedural Posture
Business and Property Court Claim / Second Case Management Conference; Application for Further Information Under CPR Part 18
Outcome
Application granted
Legal Topics
Requests for Further Information, Expert Evidence, Damages, Case Management, Disclosure
Civil Procedure Commercial Law Intellectual Property Requests for Further Information Expert Evidence Damages Case Management Disclosure

Case Brief

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Parties

The University of Sheffield

Claimant

Kudos Pharmaceuticals Limited

Defendant

AstraZeneca UK Limited

Defendant

AstraZeneca Intermediate Holdings Limited

Defendant

AstraZeneca PLC

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Business and Property Court Claim / Second Case Management Conference; Application for Further Information Under CPR Part 18

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the defendants should be ordered to provide further information about their defence regarding alternative transaction structures relevant to damages calculation
  2. 2 Timing and adequacy of responses to requests for information under CPR Part 18

Ratio Decidendi

The claimant is entitled to clarification of the defendants' case on alternative transaction structures relevant to damages, and the court's jurisdiction to order further information is not restricted by technical non-compliance with Practice Direction 18. The appropriate date for compliance is 7 October 2025, aligning with the extended disclosure deadline and allowing both parties adequate time to prepare for the preliminary expert meeting.

Court Disposition

Application granted

Orders

  • Defendants to provide further information in response to the claimant's request by 4pm on 7 October 2025