European jurisdictions diverge in Bayer vs. Ceva

German-based pharmaceutical group Bayer has accused global veterinary health company Ceva of infringing European patent EP 21 644 96 across several European jurisdictions. It pertains to a veterinary medical preparation for farm animals, specifically piglets.

The patent relates to formulations containing so-called triazinone compounds and iron compounds, which treat anaemia and infections. Both companies are leaders in the field of animal health products in Europe.

Bayer brought infringement proceedings against Ceva, arguing that Ceva’s injectable product Forceris infringed the patent which covers Bayer’s product Baycox Iron, in Germany, France and the Netherlands. Proceedings are also ongoing in Spain and Greece, and have been initiated in six other European jurisdictions.

A disparate approach

Last week, courts in Hamburg, Paris and the Hague released differing judgments on the case. In Germany, ex-parte proceedings resulted in the court granting a preliminary injunction against Ceva. Ceva filed an opposition against the injunction. However, Hamburg District Court last week maintained the original decision and confirmed that Bayer’s patent is not limited to oral administration. It is likely Ceva will appeal this judgment.

In France, however, the Paris High Court considered a different outcome. It suggests that the patent did not extend to a combination administered by injection and therefore Ceva did not commit infringement. Furthermore, in the Netherlands, the District Court of the Hague presumed that the patent is invalid on the grounds of inventive step. It thus dismissed Bayer’s claims of infringement by Ceva (case ID: KG ZA 19-621). Bayer will appeal the judgment in France and the Netherlands.

Such discordant approaches to infringement rulings highlight the lack of alignment across Europe’s courts. One lawyer suggested to JUVE Patent it could be partially explained by the German bifurcation system, which examines validity and infringement in separate proceedings. Moreover, the question of validity tends to be settled earlier, especially if the first instance judgment is at the EPO. Another European patent lawyer speculated that courts outside of Germany can be more sceptical on validity.

Here, the divergence could be put down to a difference in legal theory. Different outcomes are to be expected when a European patent can cover so many jurisdictions. One the other hand, says one European lawyer, such consistent variations between European courts might underline the need for a streamlined approach. Here is where a fully-ratified Unified Patent Court will be of use.

International insights

International boutique Hoyng ROKH Monegier acted for Ceva in the dispute in France, Germany and the Netherlands. Hoyng ROKH, which was formed from a merger in 2015, also introduced French patent litigation boutique Véron & Associés to its fold in early 2019. Its Paris team was led in this case by Benoît Strowel.

Benoît Strowel

For Hoyng ROKH, continued success in cross-border cases is indicative of its commitment towards its European strategy. The relationship between Hoyng ROKH and Ceva is a relatively recent one, with Paris managing partner Strowel gaining Ceva as a client in 2017.

Allen & Overy acted for Bayer in Germany, France, and the Netherlands, as well as co-ordinating or leading parallel proceedings in eight other jurisdictions. However, the litigation team relied on patent attorney Dorothea von Renesse from highly-regarded Düsseldorf outfit König Szynka Tilmann von Renesse, which has an established relationship with Bayer.

In the past, the patent attorney firm has conducted many high-profile infringement proceedings for the pharmaceutical company.

Munich Allen & Overy partner Joachim Feldges led the case for Bayer, alongside in-house counsel Stephan van der Vlugt. Feldges has long worked for Bayer on both animal health and wider pharmaceutical cases.

European project

Proceedings are pending in Spain, Greece, Belgium, Italy and Denmark. The parties resolved the case in Austria.

For Ceva
Hoyng ROKH Monegier (Düsseldorf): Christine Kanz (lead), Valentin Wagner
Hoyng ROKH Monegier Véron (Paris): Benoît Strowel, Amandine Métier, Fabrizio Brunetti (patent attorney)
Hoyng ROKH Monegier (Amsterdam): Peter van Schijndel, Simon Dack, Akiva Friedmann, Jeroen den Hartog (patent attorney)
Hoyng ROKH Monegier (Madrid): Luis Fernandez-Novoa, Laura Cantero
Patrinos & Kilimiris (Athens): Constantinos Kalimiris

For Bayer
Allen & Overy (Munich): Joachim Feldges (lead)
König Szynka Tilmann von Renesse (Düsseldorf): Dorothea von Renesse (patent attorney)
Allen & Overy (Paris): Laetitia Bénard, David Por
Allen & Overy (Amsterdam): Frits Gerritzen, Alexander Kiers
Clifford Chance (Barcelona): Miquel Montañá
Voelkel Kataliakos Roussou (Athens): Henning Voelkel
In-house (Monheim): Stephan van der Vlugt

Hamburg District Court, 27th Civil Chamber
Stephanie Zöllner (presiding judge), Arne Führer, Martin Illmer

Paris High Court
Florence Butin (presiding judge), Nathalie Sabotier, Gilles Buffet

District Court of The Hague
F.M. Bus (presiding judge)