JUVE Comment

With its mixed approach, this Munich firm is geared towards disputes. This work is based on a strong prosecution business, which the practice recently beefed up with young patent attorneys, especially in engineering. Some three years ago Maiwald saw several departures, but these have now been compensated for, and is now close to re-establishing its former full-service approach with a number of technical practice areas which are equally strong. The firm is expanding its client base in digital communication and computer technologies but pharma and biotech patents remain Maiwald’s calling card. Indeed the firm is at the top of the market when it comes to prosecution and litigation in biotech. One example is Maiwald’s involvement in the battle over CRISPR/Cas for the University of California. In the majority of pharma disputes, the firm is either on the side of generics manufacturers such as 1A Pharma, Hexal and Dr Reddy’s or for originator companies such as Fresenius Kabi and Perdue. The lawyer team around Stief has an excellent reputation for licensing and R&D contracts while prosecution clients such as Huawei and Intel provide a good basis for increasing the firm’s presence in mobile phone suits long term. Bolstering the Düsseldorf office with further lawyers remains the most pressing challenge, especially with regard to the UPC.

Strengths

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

European strategy

The efficient mixed approach and international profile for US clients are good starting points for playing a central role at the potential UPC. But compared to other large mixed practices like Bardehle or Grünecker, Maiwald still lacks international visibility through foreign offices of its own. Given its strong pharmaceuticals focus, a London office could make sense, even without the UPC.

Recommended individuals

Marco Stief; patent attorneys: Regina Neuefeind, Eva Ehlich, Dirk Bühler

Team

64 patent attorneys, 10 lawyers

Specialties

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. Licensing and R&D contracts.

Clients

Litigation: Fresenius Kabi against Eli Lilly over Pemetrexed; 1a Pharma and Hexal against MSD over Inegy; Dr Reddy’s/Betapharm over fulvestrant and Truvada; Mylan Dura over Truvada; Mundipharma over Targin; University of California over CRISPR/Cas; Nike against Puma over sneakers; Roche Diagnostics against Illumina over prenatal diagnostics; Purdue against EPO (Federal Consitutional Court). Prosecution: filings and some oppositions for Abbot, Bausch & Lomb, Robert Bosch, Borealis, Huawei, Intel, LTS Lohmann, Merck, Purdue, Takeda.