JUVE Comment

The German practice of this UK firm has been particularly prominent in pharma and biosimilars litigation. The team’s core client list features two heavyweights, Bayer and Boehringer and the strong European practice enjoys an outstanding reputation in life sciences. S&S represented Samsung Bioepis throughout Europe concerning bringing several biosimilars onto the market. The departure of a partner specialising in mechanics in June 2018 was a significant loss for the German team, however. An IP lawyer in Munich was appointed partner but he does not focus exclusively on patent law and the firm has not yet compensated for the loss. Nevertheless, S&S broadened the technical range of its litigation. The Düsseldorf team is now more active in mobile communication cases, e.g. for TCL. Previously it was active for Axdia as co-litigator of Google against Philips. Suits over connected cars patents, however, have largely passed the firm by, but the team did a good deal of work for Imperial Tobacco concerning e-cigarettes. If S&S wants to do justice to its lofty European ambitions, expanding its Munich team will be unavoidable. Finding notable laterals is difficult at present; hiring experienced associates or counsel would be easier.

Strengths

Litigation related to pharmaceuticals. Strong European litigation team.

European strategy

The firm is prepared for cross-border disputes all over Europe, especially when it comes to pharma patents. The loss of a partner in Munich in 2018 does mean however that it is currently the Achilles’ heel of the European practice. In the UK market, S&S still has a strong position with new partner arrivals over the past few years. The team is leading in the pharma sector. The Amsterdam team also has a brilliant position and is well known for its work regarding mobile communications. S&S has strengthened its position in Paris as well in recent years. The European patent team is thus still sounding the charge on European market leaders Bird & Bird and Hogan Lovells.

Recommended individuals

Peter Meyer, Ina vom Feld

Team

3 partners, 1 counsel, 4 associates

Specialties

Clear focus on advice and litigation. Focus on the pharmaceuticals, electronics, medical products and telecoms sectors.

Clients

Litigation: regular litigation for Bayer and Boehringer Ingelheim; Axdia against Philips over mobile communications; Firecomms against Broadcom over opto-electronics patent; Gemalto over sim card technology; TCL against Lux Lightning over mobile communications; HTC against IPCom on antitrust aspects of patent suits; Mack Rides over virtual-reality glasses; Reemtsma over cigarette packaging; Samsung Bioepis against Genentech over biosimilar. Advice: Boehringer Ingelheim on FTO analyses; Tarkett on licences and FTO analyses; Fontem Ventures in connection with e-cigarettes.