JUVE Comment

This firm continues to advise predominantly international clients on patents, trademarks and unfair competition. Polak & Partner’s profile in patent infringement has grown of late, thanks to intensive litigation in two important proceedings concerning pharmaceuticals. The firm is clearly on the side of originator drug manufacturers, which it also advises on other IP issues. One example is Daiichi Sankyo in an unfair competition dispute. The firm recently implemented a reshuffle in order to tackle the succession of former name partner Rudolf Fiebinger. The firm was a step ahead here compared with other IP boutiques. The majority of the team will work under the new banner with Peter Polak as equity partner. Fiebinger now practices under his own name together with a trainee lawyer, but still works closely with his former outfit.

Strengths

Pharma litigation.

Team

1 equity partner, 2 salary partners, 4 associates, 4 trainee lawyers

Specialties

Comprehensive advice on IP, especially soft IP. In patents, mainly infringement and nullity suits over pharma patents.

Clients

Ongoing advice to Lundbeck; MSD against generic drugs manufacturer over cholesterol-lowering drug Inegy; MSD against Hoffmann-La Roche over Herceptin.