JUVE Comment

Among the German patent attorney firms, this is one of the leading names for litigation. The pure patent attorney boutique enjoys an excellent reputation for biotech and pharma proceedings. Clients such as Bayer and Eli Lilly have entrusted the team with high-stakes cases for years: it recently litigated for regular client Bayer Pharma in central proceedings concerning Factor VIII for a haemophilia medication. The first litigation for ViiV Healthcare against Gilead regarding HIV drug Bictarvy was equally significant.

In such mostly cross-border cases, König Szynka works closely with the law firms Hogan Lovells, Allen & Overy and Linklaters. It is not uncommon for clients to even entrust it with the coordination of such series of lawsuits, despite its national setup.

The firm also operates a solid filing practice for companies that have counted on the team for many years. These include Infineon and MTU Aero Engines, which trust the firm’s mechanical engineering expertise.

Strengths

Litigation by patent attorneys, often in precedent cases, primarily for biotech and pharmaceuticals companies; mechanics patents.

European strategy

Even without international cooperation and foreign offices, König Szynka is excellently equipped for cross-border and UPC cases, as its outstanding reputation for litigation in pharmaceuticals and mechanics patents secures many direct contacts to companies. König Szynka also works with several law firms. Of these, only Hogan Lovells is so far building up its own patent attorney team for litigation. But to protect its strong position, König Szynka will have to keep an eye on the trend among law firms of establishing mixed litigation teams.

Recommended individuals

Gregor König (“excellent strategist”, competitor), Dirk Szynka (“seasoned and well versed”, competitor), Max Tilmann (“competent and always perfectly prepared”, client), Dorothea von Renesse (“good cooperation in an R&D contract”, client), Carla Roth (all patent attorneys)

Team

8 partners, 8 associates, all 16 patent attorneys

Specialties

Exclusive activity in IP with a clear focus on patents. Prosecution with a broad technical spectrum. Extensive litigation work. Also patent assessments and licensing contracts.

Clients

Litigation: ViiV Healthcare (claimant) against Gilead on HIV drug Bictarvy; Bayer Animal Health (defendant) against Ceva over medicine for coccidien infections; Bayer Pharma against Takeda on blood-clotting protein Factor VIII drug; Eli Lilly (defendant) against Novartis on antibody drug Taltz; Eli Lilly (claimant) against Hexal, Fresenius Kabi, Accord, Medac, Zentiva, Hikma and IFA over cancer drug pemetrexed. Prosecution: advice, filing and oppositions for Qiagen, Bayer Pharma, Bayer Crop Science, Eli Lilly, AbbVie, Storz Medical, Fraunhofer Technologie Fond, Infineon, Geberit, Glycotope, Hauff Technik, MTU Aero Engines, Paccor Packaging, Osram, Paion, Qiagen, Tracto-Technik, Takeda (all public knowledge). SPCs: Bayer Pharma, Bayer Animal Health, Bayer Crop Science, Orion Corporation, Orbus, PAION.