JUVE Comment

Feldges’ respected German patents practice is still one of the authoritative German teams for pharmaceuticals originators. With litigation for Pfizer regarding Lyrica and Pregabalin, the team conducted two central battles against generics companies. But in personnel terms A&O made no headway – in contrast to the rising European practice. It lost well-regarded Düsseldorf counsel Dr. Philipp Cepl and an associate to DLA Piper and thus now has to rebuild its mobile communications expertise. A few months later, A&O welcomed Dr. Jan Ebersohl, an experienced partner from Quinn Emanuel in Munich. He will take the team’s expertise in mobile communications suits to a whole new level, although it is currently unclear whether Ebersohl will bring his own clients with him. His arrival adds considerable breadth to the German team and lends weight to the European practice.

Strengths

Litigation related to biotech and pharmaceuticals patents; arbitration.

European strategy

A&O is one of the firms vigorously expanding its European patents teams with an eye on the rise in cross-border litigation, to outstrip the European market leaders Hogan Lovells and Bird & Bird. A&O bolstered its strong London team around Nicola Dagg with four partners from Simmons & Simmons and is among the market leaders in Paris. The Amsterdam presence is in need of expansion. The German team will need to strive for growth following Ebersohl’s arrival, with a particular view to building a team in Düsseldorf.

Recommended individuals

Dr. Joachim Feldges.

Team

1 partner, 3 associates

Practice

Broad IP activity with expertise in technical protection rights. Exclusively litigation with a strong specialty in biotech and pharmaceuticals. Also telecoms, electronics and mechanics. Arbitration, transactions and licensing.

Clients

Pfizer regarding second medical use related to Lyrica; Warner Lambert/Pfizer against Hexal and Ratiopharm regarding Pregabalin; Archos against Philips concerning Android applications; litigation for Hoffmann-La Roche.