JUVE Comment

This US firm has a large and experienced mixed team in Germany. Compared with some rivals, JD has a broader prosecution practice and a somewhat weaker litigation practice. Predominantly clients from the biotech and pharma sectors call on the firm for international patent cases in multiple jurisdictions, thus profiting from the global network. The practice represented the MSD subsidiary Idenix Pharmaceuticals against Gilead in a high-profile dispute over an expensive hepatitis C drug. Companies also turn to JD for mechanics and engineering patents. The practice has good contacts to auto suppliers but was not involved in the current wave of connected cars suits. This field holds potential for the practice, as it recently took on patent attorneys with good ties in this sector.

Strengths

Patent prosecution with technical expertise in the pharmaceuticals, biotech and auto sectors. Pharma proceedings. Very strong US practice.

European strategy

The patents practice is present at the key UPC locations Munich and Düsseldorf. Internationally, close cooperation with the strong US teams is an asset. JD is very strongly positioned in Paris with Thomas Bouvet’s team (joined in 2017 from Véron & Associés). The German and Paris team now work together for such notable clients as Celegene and Idenix. The London patents team is also well positioned.

Recommended individuals

Gerd Jaekel, Christian Paul; patent attorneys: Martin Weber, Dorothée Weber-Bruls

Team

17 patent attorneys, 3 lawyers

Specialties

All-round IP activity with a focus on technical protection rights. Prosecution practice with broad technical expertise. Opposition and nullity suits and infringement proceedings. Licensing contracts, transactions and strategic advice.

Clients

Litigation: Celgene against various generics manufacturer over cancer drug; CJ Cheil Jedang against Ajinomoto over amino acids; Idenix Pharmaceuticals against Gilead over Hepatitis C drug; Lufthansa Technik over aeroplane electronics; ongoing litigation for Wonderland. Prosecution: filings and some oppositions for Akebia Therapeutics, Bickle Räder + Rollen, BioMarin over Kuvan, Convex, Ensyn Renewables, Genentech, Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Puma Biotechnology, Rational, SMR Automotive, Sunrise Medical.