Dovev Apel

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"A lawyer who gets straight to the core of the matter at hand and never gets bogged down in irrelevant conflicts"

By IAM PATENT

Overview

Industries: Drugs and Food E-commerce Government and Defence Healthcare Medical and Diagnostic Devices

Dovev is a highly experienced lawyer who advises major global and domestic pharmaceutical and technology-based companies on a wide range of IP issues involving patents, trademarks, designs, copyrights, trade secrets, counterfeiting and brand management. Dovev possesses particular strength in the life sciences industry.

On the contentious side, Dovev regularly appears before the Israel Patent Office, including in pre-grant patent opposition proceedings, and all levels of Israeli civil courts and arbitration tribunals on IP cases, including cross-border proceedings. He also represents clients in regulatory matters, particularly petitions to the High Court of Justice.

Dovev’s non-contentious practice includes advising on the commercial exploitation of IP rights and IP legal due diligence within the context of M&A transactions, as well as the provision of legal opinions in the pharmaceutical field, in particular concerning issues of freedom to operate.

Dovev actively contributes to the Israeli legislative process on matters relating to IP and regulatory matters, for example, representing the Pharmaceutical Division of the Manufacturer’s Association of Israel on the drafting of Israel’s main act of legislation regulating medical devices, and assisting Israel’s Ministry of Health in the preparation of regulations and guidelines concerning pharmaceutical products and medical devices.

Dovev also has particular expertise advising on the full range of regulatory aspects relating to pharmaceuticals, life science products, medical devices for genetic tests, and food supplements in Israel, including with regard to licensing, testing (including clinical trials), manufacture, Ministry of Health clearance, product registration, marketing, distribution and commercialization. Dovev has been involved in drafting legislation and Ministry of Health guidelines influencing the entire pharmaceutical, medical devices and life science industry.

Dovev has also developed specific and unique expertise in the field of product liability and class actions involving life sciences regulatory law.

Publications:

Dovev has written the Israel chapter in the following legal publications:

Co-author of the Israel chapter of the Life Science Guide, Chambers and Partners (April 2022).

Co-author of the Israel chapter of the Patent Litigation Law Review 4th Edition (April 2020).
Co-author of the Israel chapter of the Patent Litigation Law Review 2nd Edition (November, 2018).
Co-author of the Israel chapter of the Patent Litigation Law Review 1st Edition (November, 2017).
Author of the Israel Chapter of the Life Sciences Law Review – 3-6th editions (2015-2018)

Languages: EnglishHebrew

Admissions: Israel Bar, 2001

Education: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, LL.B. cum laude

Experience

Dovev’s extensive experience includes:

Representing and advising Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., the world’s largest generic pharmaceutical company and the leading IP litigant in Israel (particularly patent litigation), in all its contentious matters – including patent infringement actions, patent oppositions, service inventions and trade secrets disputes etc. Dovev also provides Teva with various freedom to operate opinions.
Handling Teva’s trademark portfolio in Israel, including trademark disputes.
Advising and representing Teva in a vast array of legal and regulatory work in Israel, including pharmaceutical products, medical devices, clinical trials, genetic tests, infant nutrition, cosmetics, brand management and product liability disputes.
Representing ISCAR in proceedings concerning the payment of remuneration in respect of service inventions, before a unique tribunal, the Compensation and Royalties Committee, comprised of a Supreme Court Justice and the Commissioner of Patents.
Advising Nobel Biocare, a world leader in the field of innovative implant-based dental restorations and part of the Danaher Corporation, a global science and technology innovator, in a dispute concerning patent ownership and trade secrets.
Defending Nokia, the largest global mobile communications company with a presence in Israel, in a series of patent disputes.
Representing Simplivia Healthcare Ltd. in patent infringement actions with respect to a drug mixing device.
Representing Smart Shooter Ltd., a leading Israeli start-up company which developed a revolutionary technology and a device to be incorporated into firearms, in several proceedings, including patent oppositions and trade secrets litigation.
Representing Lego, one of the world’s largest toy manufacturers, in: trademark prosecution in Israel, proceedings regarding counterfeit products and trademark and copyright infringement proceedings.
Providing ongoing consultation and advice to JDE (the manufacturer of the Jacobs worldwide coffee brand) on various IP issues, including freedom to operate opinions with respect to various patents and trademarks.
Representing the Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Society of the Manufacturers’ Association of Israel in all regulatory matters relevant to pharmaceuticals and medical devices, including various discussions with the Ministry of Health on the formulation of internal policy as well as the drafting of legislation.
Advising Dexcel Pharma, the second largest pharmaceutical company in Israel, on various contentious and regulatory matters connected to the field of pharmaceuticals and medical devices in Israel.
Representing Dexcel in various high-value class actions claiming non-compliance with regulatory requirements concerning consumer leaflets, as well as class actions filed as a result of product recalls.
Advising multi-national pharmaceutical and medical device companies, such as Shire Pharmaceuticals, Taro Pharmaceuticals Perrigo, Takeda and Novocure, in various regulatory matters.

Recognition

IAM Patent 1000 2023 ranked Dovev in the Silver tier for Litigation:
- “Seasoned litigator Dovev Apel has been involved in numerous groundbreaking cases. He is known for his strong performances before all levels of Israeli court, especially in cross-border IP proceedings”.
LMG Life Sciences Awards EMEA 2023 recognized Dovev (for the second year in a row) as ‘Product Liability Lawyer of the Year’
IP Stars 2023 named Dovev as both Patent Star and Trademark Star.
The Legal 500 2023: Dovev was ranked as a Leading individual in the field of Healthcare and Life Science:
- “‘Dovev Apel, a very experienced regulatory and IP counsel, has the ability to understand the flexibility needs of the business, understanding the client’s risk tolerance policies and focusing on the main issues.”
WTR 1000 2023:
- “Dovev is an excellent counsellor. He is prompt, responsive, business-oriented and strategic. Dovev is brilliant at negotiating settlements but when necessary, he is a formidable litigator”.
The Legal 500 2022: Dovev was ranked as a Leading individual in the field of Healthcare and Life Sciences:
- “Dovev Apel is a seasoned litigator in IP and handles product liability and class actions. Apel leads the team with Tal Band, who focuses on administrative litigation before all judicial instances as well as the Patents and Trademarks Office and previously served as president of the Israel Chapter of the AIPPI“
LMG Life Sciences Awards EMEA 2022: Has recognized partner Dovev Apel as ‘Product Liability Lawyer of the Year’
The Legal 500 2021: Dovev was ranked as a Leading individual (Tier 1) in the field of Healthcare and life sciences:
- “Dovev Apel is often engaged in major legislative developments led by the Ministry of Health and the Knesset, in addition to regularly representing clients in IP litigation, product liability disputes and class actions.”
IAM PATENT 2021: Dovev is ranked in the Individuals table of Patent Litigation:
- ‘a lawyer who gets straight to the core of the matter at hand and never gets bogged down in irrelevant conflicts. “He is also involved in each and every legislation process relevant to the generic drug industry.” ‘
IP STARS 2021: Dovev Apel received stars in the guide’s individual rating, in the patent and trademark categories, receiving recognition for his professionalism.
World Trademark Review – WTR 1000 2021: Dovev is ranked in the Individuals table of trademarks enforcement and litigation category:
- “Dovev Apel is a safe pair of hands for the highest -pressure disputes; among his stable of clients sits Lego, a company that trusts him with registration, strategy and customs seizures.“
The Legal 500 2020: Dovev was specifically mentioned as recommended lawyer in the field of Intellectual property – Disputes and commercial/transactions.
The Legal 500 2020 recommended Dovev in the field of Healthcare and Life Science: ‘Dovev Apel is smart, professional, attentive and accurate.’
The Legal 500 2020 recommended Dovev in the field of Intellectual Property/Filing Prosecution.
IP Stars 2020: Dovev Apel received the ‘Trade Mark Star’ and the ‘Patent Star’ in the directory’s practitioner rankings and recognised as an expert in light of his professionalism, high standard quality of work and broad and unique knowledge
IAM Patent 1000 2019:
- “Dovev Apel possesses vast knowledge in patent law, drug regulation and life sciences. Apel’s hands-on approach makes him a valuable asset for ambitious clients.”
IP Stars 2019: Dovev Apel received stars in the guide’s individual rating, garnering recognition for his professionalism, expertise, extensive and unique knowledge.
World Trademark Review – WTR 1000 2018: Dovev Apel has been recognized as one of the leading IP lawyers, for Israeli enforcement and litigation:
- “Outstanding trademark practitioner, who has deep understanding of the law and significant litigation experience. Clients really appreciate the time he spends getting to know their markets.”
IP Stars 2018: Dovev Apel was recognized as a star in trademark, litigation, strategy & counseling and office proceedings in the IP field.