JUVE Comment

This Düsseldorf patent attorney firm enjoys a particularly good reputation for disputes in pharmaceuticals and biotech. Well-known innovators such as Sanofi, Moderna and Grünenthal rely on the patent attorneys in oppositions and nullity actions. They are also regularly consulted by lawyers for technical advice in infringement proceedings. Clients benefit from the patent attorneys’ in-depth expertise in matters relating to SPCs and biologics. Recently, the team was sought after for advice on mRNA patents.

In addition, the firm maintains a lively filing practice across a broad technical spectrum. In addition to life sciences, the firm focuses on mechanical engineering and electronics, where the team recently expanded its client base to include large German SMEs such as MTU Aero Engines and Mojin Robotics (part of SCIO Automation). However, the most renowned partner in this field, Max Tilmann, left the firm last year. Recently, König Szynka Tilmann von Renesse expanded the team with a young patent attorney from Cohausz & Florack, so that there are now three fee earners advising on mechanical engineering. Though none have yet achieved such a high profile as Tilmann or the pharmaceutical experts.

European set-up

With its many years of experience in patent litigation, often in a cross-border context, König Szynka Tilmann von Renesse is well positioned for proceedings at the UPC. For pharmaceutical innovators in particular, the law firm is proving attractive for patent disputes before the new court. Clients continue to rely on the tried-and-tested cooperation between lawyers and patent attorneys from different law firms. For example, the team is representing Alexion, for which it is already active in the national proceedings against Amgen alongside the lawyers from Freshfields. Sanofi and Regeneron also consulted König Szynka Tilmann von Renesse in the UPC dispute against Amgen. The team had previously advised on disputes concerning mRNA technology.

The work for plant manufacturer MSG shows that the patent attorneys’s expertise in electronics and mechanical engineering also plays a role at the UPC. The team represents the client both in national proceedings and before the new court. It is therefore only logical that the law firm has recently strengthened its team here.

Strengths

Litigation by patent attorneys, often in precedent cases, primarily for biotech and pharmaceutical originators, including SPCs. Mechanics patents.

Recommended individuals

Claudia Hertzsch (“very thorough and passionate about her work”, competitor), Gregor König (“eloquent and impressive pleadings”, “good strategist and analyst in infringement cases”, competitors), Dirk Szynka, Dorothea von Renesse, Carla Roth (“leaves no stone unturned”, “consistently high level”, competitors) (all patent attorneys)

Team

12 patent attorneys

Clients

Litigation: Alexion against Amgen over paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria; Regeneron against Amgen and Samsung Bioepis over Eylea/aflibercept; Infineon against Innoscience over gallium nitride semiconductors; MSG against EJP over measuring device; Qiagen against SD Biosensor over testing method; Grünenthal against Ratiopharma/1APharma over Tapentadol; Eli Lilly against Hexal, Fresenius Kabi, Accord, Medac, Zentiva, Hikma and IFA over cancer drug pemetrexed. Oppositions: Moderna against BioNTech, Pfizer, Sanofi and others over mRNA; Toolgen against CRISPR Therapeutics and four straw men over CRISPR/Cas technology (all public knowledge).