JUVE Comment

The well-established patent litigation team at this national full-service firm has consolidated its position in the Dutch market over the past two years. Under the leadership of partner Jaap Bremer, the team has not only secured a victory for core client Viatris but has also attracted a significant new client in a cutting-edge technology. The firm now represents South Korean biotech company ToolGen in the high-profile international dispute against Vertex and Lonza concerning CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology before Dutch courts.

Viatris keeps the team busy with several instructions, where the lawyers work primarily alongside patent attorneys from AOMB. However, it is the work for new client ToolGen that brings higher-value international work, as the dispute against Vertex is also pending at the UPC. The Dutch team works alongside Potter Clarkson, which leads the UPC case, and other European patent attorney firms, including AOMB.

The BarentsKrans team’s technical expertise extends well beyond the life sciences sector. However, this work has limited market visibility. Additional UPC instructions would help raise the profile of the team’s broader practice. For now, it is primarily the team’s work for generic drug manufacturers that draws attention.

Strengths

Strong focus on litigation regarding pharma patents, especially for generic drug companies.

Recommended individuals

Jaap Bremer

Team

4 lawyers

Clients

Litigation: ToolGen against Vertex over CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology; Viatris against Biogen over multiple sclerosis drug dimethyl fumarate/Tecfidera (ended 2026).