JUVE Comment

This IP boutique recommended for patents enjoys a solid reputation for work for the pharmaceuticals sector – both prosecution and litigation – and boasts a very active, mixed litigation team with many years of experience. However, Maiwald is seeing much turbulence in its headcount: besides numerous new hires, esp. patent attorneys, it suffered several losses in January 2016, with two new startups spinning off from the firm. In Hamburg, partner Dr. Volker Hamm, who specializes in litigation for generics manufacturers, and his team set up Hamm Wittkopp. In Munich and Hamburg, a large team around partner Korbinian Kopf spun off as Kopf Westenberger Wachenhausen. This team took crucial expertise in engineering and client Airbus with it. As a result of the departures, Maiwald closed its Hamburg office. Strategic differences were the reason for the moves, according to market observers. This is supported by the fact that Maiwald is looking to focus on litigation for originators in the pharmaceuticals sector in the future.

Strengths

Patent prosecution and litigation with technical expertise in biotech, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Excellent US contacts.

Development potential

Maiwald will have to bolster its engineering team with laterals in the wake of the departures. It will also have to discuss its structures, e.g. partner remuneration and codetermination for young patent attorneys and lawyers, to create the foundations for staff stability – esp. with regard to the potential launch of the UPC.

Recommended individuals

Marco Stief; patent attorney: Dr. Regina Neuefeind.

Team

45 patent attorneys, 9 lawyers

Practice

IP activity with a clear focus on patent prosecution. Broad technical spectrum with a large pharmaceuticals and chemicals practice. Opposition and nullity suits. Infringement proceedings with mixed teams. Own office in Zurich.

Clients

Public knowledge: frequent litigation for Fresenius Kabi and Mundipharma; Purdue on constitutional complaint against EPO; prosecution for Bausch & Lomb, Robert Bosch, Borealis, Huawei, LTS Lohmann, Omega and Purdue.