JUVE Comment

The French IP boutique around name partner Denis Schertenleib is a powerhouse for representing generic drug companies in high-profile pharmaceutical cases. The litigators can draw on extensive experience and are called on by Viatris, Sandoz and Zentiva for numerous suits against originators. A particular highlight was the successful representation of Viatris, Sandoz and Zentiva against Bayer in the dispute over cancer drug Nexavar.

The firm also plays a central role for its regular clients at the UPC, despite traditional disputes between generic drug manufacturers and originators remaining predominantly at national level. For instance, Schertenleib successfully defended core client Viatris against a preliminary injunction sought by Merz at the UPC. It was the UPC’s first SPC case at first instance. Younger partners such as Marc Lauzeral are gaining increasing visibility in such cases.

The patent litigation firm has grown organically into a midsized practice in the French market boasting lawyers with strong technical expertise. Building on its experience representing core generic drug company clients in the life sciences sector, the team continues to develop its client base in related technological fields such as medical technology and cosmetics, as well as handling select telecommunications cases in France.

Strengths

In-depth knowledge of the pharmaceuticals market, in particular generic drugs.

Recommended individuals

Denis Schertenleib (“very good with excellent strategic skills”, competitors)

Team

8 lawyers

Clients

Litigation: Viatris, Sandoz and Zentiva against Bayer over sorafenib/Nexavar; Sandoz against Bayer over thrombosis drug rivaroxaban/Xarelto; Viatris and Sandoz against Biogen over market access of generic drug companies for Tecfidera; Viatris and Sandoz (both defendants) against MSD over SPC for cholesterol-lowering drug ezetimibe and simvastatin/Inegy; Fillmed and Filorga (defendants) against Teoxane over injectable hyaluronic acid (all public knowledge).