JUVE Comment

This IP firm, which is dominated by patent attorneys, is best known for patent litigation in the life sciences field before Dutch patent courts. René Raggers is highly regarded for his technical support in pharmaceutical and biotech cases. He is specifically brought in by external law firms, for example by Taylor Wessing for Pfizer’s Dutch proceedings against Moderna. The firm’s patent attorneys are also active in the major dispute for generic drug manufacturer Viatris against Biogen over multiple sclerosis drug Tecfidera, together with BarentsKrans. These proceedings are helping raise the profile of those in Raggers’ team, for example Luc Smeets.

Life sciences cases have recently dominated the patent attorneys’ national activities, partly because there are too few mobile communications suits being filed at Dutch patent courts. The work for Ericsson, for example, was recently settled and new instructions have been filed at the UPC. Outside of top-flight cases, the firm’s patent attorneys are active for a multitude of small, innovative Dutch companies. Patent attorney Kees van Balen enjoys a good reputation for mechanics patents, especially in the automotive and transport segments. The firm’s work for the former Philips subsidiary Signify demonstrates AOMB’s philosophy is to remain as close to its local Dutch clients as possible. But like most European prosecution firms, AOMB also has a very active international client base it advises at the EPO, including B/E Aerospace, Koito Manufacturing, and Ericsson. For the latter, electronics and mobile communications expert Teun van Berkel was able to show his full potential at the UPC.

European set-up

The combination of direct contacts to international corporates and to Taylor Wessing’s Dutch team has brought AOMB a reasonable standing at the UPC. Van Berkel represents Ericsson in a major SEP suit against AsusTech at the local divisions Milan and Lisbon. Together with Taylor Wessing partners he is also conducting three proceedings for Abbott against SiBio Technology and one case against Dexcom at the local division The Hague over glucose-monitoring devices.

The presence of AOMB patent attorneys in pan-European patent disputes alongside external law firms has long been a familiar sight, particularly in the life sciences sector, as demonstrated by their involvement in the Dutch proceedings for Pfizer in the mRNA battle with Moderna or for Viatris against Biogen over Tecfidera. However, the pharma team has not yet been able to convert these contacts into UPC cases, as the industry as a whole has been very slow to accept the new court.

But the UPC offers potential for patent attorney firms like AOMB to represent also medium-sized companies. Here the firm could use strong ties to partner law firms such as Prinz & Partner in Germany from the AIPEX network. The AIPEX firms are also an option for joint activity before the UPC.

Strengths

Litigation support by patent attorneys in mobile communications and life sciences, especially pharmaceutical and biotech patents.

Recommended individuals

René Raggers (“always my pick for pharma patents in the Netherlands”, competitor; pharma and biotech), Luc Smeets (“excellent analyst”, competitor; pharma and biotech, chemistry), Kees van Balen (automotive and transport, mechanics), Teun van Berkel (“the best of the best in mobile communications and electronics”, competitor)

Team

24 patent attorneys

Clients

Litigation: Pfizer against Moderna over mRNA patents; Viatris against Biogen over multiple sclerosis drug dimethylfumarate/Tecfidera; Insud Pharma in nullity case against Galenicum regarding patent for pharmaceutical compositions of diabetes drug sitagliptin (ended 2024); Kiremko against Tomra over steam-peeling technology.