JUVE Comment

This young boutique patent attorney firm, led by name partner Bernhard Thum, has gained prominence in the market for its involvement in numerous high-profile UPC disputes. It also regularly represents long-standing clients such as Juul Labs and SRAM in extensive EPO oppositions. Though less frequently seen in national disputes, the team recently represented Phoenix against Harting in a nullity suit concerning plug connectors.

In its fourth year, the firm is leveraging this strength and reputation not only to capitalise on its litigation experience, but also to expand its prosecution business. The team has attracted clients from Switzerland and southern Germany. By broadening its prosecution work, the growing firm is establishing a solid business foundation. This expansion has justified the opening of a second office in Constance, which is primarily drawing Swiss companies and regional SMEs. However, the latter rarely develop their applications dynamically due to the current economic climate.

Internationally, the firm is building on its name partner’s established contacts and has secured new clients in Japan. The patent attorneys are thus developing a growing prosecution practice for medical devices, mechanics and electronics patents, advising clients such as SRAM on mechanics patents.

Concurrently, the firm continues to represent regular clients in numerous new and, in some cases, large-scale cases, less frequently at the national level and more often in UPC proceedings.

European set-up

During the UPC’s initial phase, the patent attorney firm gained significant visibility by representing regular client Juul and through an intensive series of proceedings for Edwards Lifesciences against Meril. This work, always conducted alongside leading lawyers such as Bird & Bird and Powell Gilbert, has earned considerable praise from competitors.

Its track record with high-volume clients continues this year, with the team working alongside Kather Augenstein for several clients, including Advanced Bionics.

In all these proceedings, the firm employs an intensive team approach, allowing even younger partners around Thum to gain increasing visibility. Overall, this young boutique demonstrates the crucial role independent patent attorneys can play alongside lawyers at the UPC. Thanks to its accumulated experience, the firm is exceptionally well-positioned for further proceedings relating to life sciences and other electronics patents.

Strengths

Litigation concerning medical technology and mechanics.

Recommended individuals

Bernhard Thum (“excellent to work with in litigation”, competitor), Jonas Weickert (“excellent grasp of the legal and technical issues”, competitor; both patent attorneys)

Team

12 patent attorneys

Clients

Litigation: Edwards Lifesciences against Meril Life Sciences over heart catheter; Phoenix against Harting in nullity suit over plug connectors (settled 2025). EPO oppositions: Edwards Lifesciences against Meril Life Sciences over heart valves; Juuhl Labs against Philip Morris, Smokeless.world and Nicoventures over vaporization; Juul against NJOY over vaporizer technology for e-cigarettes; SRAM against Shimano over bicycle components; Schaeffler against Hirschvogel over balance shafts for cars; Artsana (Chicco) against Britax-Römer over child transport system (settled 2025); Karl Storz against B. Braun New Ventures over surgical assistance machines; Scania against Volvo Truck over wheel carrier structures (all public knowledge).