Sanjaya Mendis is a partner in McCarthy Tétrault LLP’s Toronto IP Litigation group, recipient of the Patent Litigation Firm of the Year – Canada by LMG Life Sciences and Canadian Firm of the Year (IP Transactions) by Managing IP Awards. Sanjaya is also an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School.

Sanjaya’s practice involves a focus in life sciences, with litigation and strategic advice in the areas of patent and Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) proceedings. Sanjaya frequently helps coordinate complex, high-stakes, cross-border patent disputes. Sanjaya has appeared as counsel in Ontario, the Federal Court, the Federal Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Some of Sanjaya’s recent notable experience include representing:

• Regeneron and Bayer in several ongoing patent infringement actions involving the blockbuster biologic drug, EYLEA^® (aflibercept).
• AbbVie in infringement actions involving the blockbuster drug, HUMIRA^® (adalimumab). The Court found AbbVie’s patent valid, and granted AbbVie’s infringement action against JAMP in: AbbVie Corporation v. Jamp Pharma Corporation, 2023 FC 1520.
• Merck in a patent infringement trial involving the blockbuster drug JANUVIA^® (sitagliptin). The Court upheld the validity of Merck’s patent, and granted Merck’s infringement action: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. v. Pharmascience Inc., 2022 FC 417
• Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer in a patent infringement trial involving its blockbuster drug ELIQUIS^® (apixaban). The Court upheld validity of BMS’s patents and granted the infringement action: Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co. v. Pharmascience Inc., 2021 FC aff’ on appeal in 2022 FCA 142; leave to Supreme Court denied in 2023 CanLii 24507 (SCC).
• Apple in a patent infringement dispute commenced by Wi-LAN involving wireless telecommunication services.

Sanjaya’s education in science—a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry—coupled with his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law, provides him with a unique perspective on the intersection of law, science, and technology. His international exposure, including a semester studying International and European Law at Université Jean Moulin (Lyon III), has further honed his capability to handle patent litigation on a global scale.

In his spare time, Sanjaya is a volunteer with Pro Bono Ontario, and the University of Toronto’s Downtown Criminal Legal Services clinic. Sanjaya is an avid outdoor sports enthusiast.