Dr Liddicoat studies the development and use of new technology. Much of his research focuses on the ability of patent and pharmaceutical law to accelerate the creation of new technology. However, the analysis is seldom straightforward; although patents can operate as incentives, they have numerous trade-offs, including social dimensions. Smart innovation policy requires meticulous doctrinal research and robust empirical data. As a lawyer with scientific training, John strives to deliver both, often involving novel methods.

John’s research has been funded by numerous organisations. Currently, he works with colleagues at Cambridge, Harvard, and Copenhagen on a £5.5 million grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. They are investigating issues at the interface of IP law with AI, quantum technology, sustainability, pandemic preparedness and anti-microbial resistance.

John provides advice to companies, law firms, governments and international governmental bodies. In 2023, he completed an extensive report for the World Intellectual Property Organization (the UN body that deals with IP) on patents and trade secrets.

John is interested in PhD applications on: the Republic of Translational Medicine; patentable subject matter; sufficiency; comparative analyses of approaches to AI and patent law; and preliminary injunctions.

Research interests

• Intellectual property
• Patent law
• International patent law
• Copyright
• Data protection
• Health law
• Trade secrets
• Pharmaceutical law
• Emerging technology
• AI, quantum computing
• Pandemic preparedness
• Anti-microbial resistance
• Sustainability
• History
• Legal theory

Teaching

• Patents and Trade Secrets (7FFLL521)
• Intellectual Property Law (6FFLK039)
• Intellectual Property Dissertation (6FFLK037, 7FFLL913, 7FFLL917)

Selected Publications

Liddicoat, J., Parish, J., and Aboy. ‘The Republic of Translational Medicine’ (2026) Cambridge Law Journal. Forthcoming.

Liddicoat, J., Liddell, K., Darrow, J., Aboy, M., Jordan, M., Crespo, C. and Minssen, T. ‘Repositioning Generic Drugs: Empirical Findings and Policy Implications’ (2022) 53 International Review of Intellectual Property & Competition Law 1287.

Aboy, M., Liddell, K., Jordan, M., Crespo, C. and Liddicoat, J.E. ‘European Patent Protection for Medical Uses of Known Products and Drug Repurposing’ (2022) 40(4) Nature Biotechnology 465.

Liddicoat, J.E. & Parish, J. ‘Ironing Out the Wrinkles: Reforms to Crown Use and Compulsory Licensing to Help prepare the Patents Acts 1977 for the Next Health Crises’ (2021) 4 Intellectual Property Quarterly 245.

Liddicoat, J.E., Liddell, K., Aboy, M. & Wested, J., ‘Has the EU Incentive for Drug Repositioning Been Effective? An Empirical Analysis of the “+1’ Regulatory Exclusivity’ (2021) 52(7) International Review of Intellectual Property & Competition Law 1.