JUVE Comment

The patent litigation team of this Dutch full-service firm remains a visible player in the Dutch market – a remarkable feat, given that a year and a half ago the firm’s future seemed uncertain. In early 2023, the departure of its preeminent patent litigator Gertjan Kuipers to Hogan Lovells left a huge hole that De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek quickly filled with Anne Marie Verschuur.

At Nauta Dutilh she had a mixed IP practice, but now focuses primarily on patent disputes, especially in pharma. The team represents GSK in one of the most important pharma disputes at the Dutch patent courts, concerning RSV vaccines. Amgen also frequently turns to the firm for advice. To be able to compete with other strong Dutch patent practices, the next step would be to establish the practice with a very consistent focus on patents, for example through new instructions outside of the life sciences sector. Verschuur is still very often recommended as a soft IP litigator.

The patent team has a second pillar in supreme court cases, with partner Tobias Cohen Jehoram a leading figure in IP here. He represents Sonos in a dispute with Google over audio speakers, and Bristol-Myers Squibb in two high-profile patent cases over apixaban. Pharmathen also called on him for its Supreme Court appeal against Novartis regarding a cross-border PI. But the case was recently settled.

European set-up

Although De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek is a firmly Dutch offering, it maintains an international outlook via both its client approach and unique setup. This means under the leadership of Verschuur the patent team retains visibility in some cross-border cases, mainly in the pharma field. The team’s work for GSK and Bristol-Myers Squibb is part of pan-European disputes. The dispute between GSK and Pfizer has now reached the UPC.

Verschuur’s team represented Ocado against a UK lawyer in the high-profile dispute over public access to court documents, though was not involved in the patent infringement cases. The team is also involved in two other disputes, although other law firms are the main representatives. This demonstrates Verschuur’s good international connections. The team is still a work-in-progress and it would boost visibility if it were to appear as the main representative in a UPC case. Closer relationships with German law firms would also help the team in this regard.

Strengths

Litigation regarding life sciences patents. Supreme Court cases.

Recommended individuals

Anne Marie Verschuur

Team

12 lawyers

Clients

Litigation: GSK against Pfizer over respiratory vaccine; Bristol-Myers Squibb (together with Hogan Lovells) against Sandoz and Teva in Supreme Court appeal regarding apixaban patent for Factor XA inhibitor Eliquis; Access Advance and GEVC against Vestel over FRAND; Koopman against Tinnus Enterprises over balloon-filler device; frequent litigation for Amgen; Pharmathen against Novartis regarding a cross-border PI over cancer drug Okrodin (settled 2024).