JUVE Comment

A respected, pure patent attorney firm which is restructuring activity. Classic pharmaceuticals and chemicals patents have been the main pillars of work up to now, but IBH responded to the decreasing number of patents filed in these sectors by filing more patents on the interface with electronics and mechanics, e.g. in bioinformatics or medical technology. IBH reduced capacities accordingly: three lawyers from the pharmaceuticals/chemicals group went to companies or other firms. But the patent attorneys continued to capitalize on IBH’s reputation as one of the strongest German firms for chemicals and pharmaceuticals: they are litigating for Shionogi in a dispute against Merck over a compulsory license for an HIV drug. In litigation, the patent attorneys always work with external lawyers.

Strengths

Patent prosecution with an excellent reputation in the chemicals, pharmaceuticals and biotech sectors.

Recommended individuals

Dr. Raphael Bösl, Wolfram Hörschler, Dr. Fritz Lahrtz (“highly recommendable”, client), Dr. Stefan Féaux de Lacroix (all patent attorneys).

Team

26 patent attorneys

Practice

IP activity focuses on patent prosecution with technical expertise in biotech/pharmaceuticals, chemicals, electronics, IT, mechanics and medical technology. Nullity and opposition suits and infringement proceedings.

Clients

Public knowledge: Shionogi against Merck regarding HIV drug; filing for Robert Bosch; filing and opposition suits for BASF, Roche Diagnostics, Sanofi-Pasteur.