JUVE Comment

The well-positioned prosecution and litigation practice of these Munich patent attorneys covers a wide spectrum of technical fields. In litigation, however, they are known above all for their pronounced specialty in pharma, biotech and chemicals patents.

More so than in other technical fields, in the life sciences sector the patent attorneys focus on litigation. Bernd Aechter has an outstanding reputation for his work in EPO oppositions, nullity suits and infringement proceedings. He demonstrated this once more for Mylan/Viatris in a PI battle over Bayer’s cancer drug Nexavar that drew much attention.

The pharma practice often manages the balancing act between generic and original drug manufacturers. The good relations with Swiss pharma giant Novartis, which also provides generic products via its subsidiary Sandoz/Hexal, embodies the work on both sides of the sector.

The firm is also noted in the market for its very extensive filing activity for LG’s Electronics and Display divisions. This has resulted in a good name for filing electronics patents. In terms of litigation, the patent attorneys were more active for Giesecke & Devrient concerning SEPs.

Strengths

Pharmaceuticals litigation. Patent prosecution related to chemicals, pharmaceuticals and electronics.

European set-up

The patent attorney firm is often found in pan-European disputes, especially in pharma cases concerning important drugs. The superb reputation of Bernd Aechter, as well as the firm’s strong ties to some law firms like Taylor Wessing that do not want their own patent attorneys, should ensure a good presence in UPC cases from the start, as long as regular clients do actually use the new court.

Recommended individuals

Bernd Aechter (“very good in EPO oppositions and nullity cases”, client; “very efficient”, competitor), Christian Hollatz (both patent attorneys)

Team

18 patent attorneys

Specialties

Activity in IP with a focus on technical protection rights related to chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotech and medicine, automotive engineering, mechanics and electronics, telecoms. Patent filing, opposition and nullity suits. Infringement proceedings with external lawyers.

Clients

Litigation: Mylan/Viatris (defandant) against Bayer over cancer drug Nexavar; Novartis (defendant) in EPO opposition over multiple sclerosis drug fingolimod; Neuraxpharm (defendant) against Biogen in PI proceeding over multiple sclerosis drug dimethylfumarate (public knowledge); Aspen (claimant) against Nano Tech over aerogels; frequent EPO oppositions for Viatris and Hexal; Giesecke & Devrient (defendant) against Thales on EPO opposition and nullity suit over eSim technology. Prosecution: filing for Coretronic, Doosan Heavy Industries, Hexal, KT&G, LG, Mitsubishi, Kolon Industries, Shin-Etsu, Sekisui, Dr. Wolff Group (all public knowledge).