K&L Gates Secures Favorable Jury Verdict for Biohaven in Trade Secret Misappropriation Trial

Global law firm K&L Gates LLP secured a favorable jury verdict for Biohaven Therapeutics Ltd. in the US District Court for the District of Delaware. Following a weeklong trial, the jury awarded damages and found that Avilar Therapeutics and RA Capital Management willfully and maliciously misappropriated a Yale-developed trade secret that Biohaven had licensed for the development of extracellular protein degradation therapies. The jury also found that RA Capital breached a confidentiality agreement.

The case involved confidential scientific information related to Yale's extracellular protein degradation technology platform. In addition to awarding damages, the jury found that the defendants' trade secret misappropriation was willful and malicious. The verdict highlights the importance of protecting confidential research and preserving the trust that underpins collaboration among universities, investors, and life sciences companies.

The K&L Gates team was led by New York partner Roger Crane, Charlotte partner Vincent Galluzzo, and Seattle partner Harold Storey and included Chicago associate Austin Holler, Charlotte associate Ryan Regan, and Los Angeles associates Rachel Berman and Jake Winningham. Co-counsel from Susman Godfrey, including managing partner Kalpana Srinivasan, represented Yale.

“This verdict underscores the importance of protecting confidential scientific information and the integrity of a system that depends on trust between universities and the funds and companies that seek to license and develop their innovations,” Crane said. “When universities share trade secrets and other confidential research with commercial partners, it is critical that they can trust that the information will be protected. This case was about preserving that trust and protecting the integrity of the innovation ecosystem.”

Biohaven Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Vlad Coric said: “We are grateful to the jury for its careful consideration of the evidence and to the K&L Gates team for its exceptional representation throughout this matter. Their strategic counsel and trial advocacy were instrumental in achieving this outcome.”