Hofstetter Schurack welcomes back biotech partner in Munich
The Munich office of patent attorney firm Hofstetter Schurack & Partner has added biotechnology specialist Vera Kühr to its partnership. Kühr had originally spent four years at the firm, before moving to Forresters in 2022. Her move comes as the country's patent attorney firms shore up their expertise following the opening of the Unified Patent Court.
22 January 2024 by Amy Sandys
At the beginning of 2024, Vera Kühr rejoined Hofstetter Schurack & Partner after just under two years at patent attorney firm, Forresters. She specialises in biotechnology, and also has specific interests in molecular biology, plant molecular biology, microbiology and biochemistry. The firm is looking to build up its life sciences team and strengthen its involvement in the UPC.
In addition to biochemistry, Kühr has experience in other industries including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, computer-implemented inventions, automotive engineering and mechanics. Now Hofstetter Schurack has ten patent partners based in Munich. The firm has clients such as Audi, BMW, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Osram, Schwind Eye-Tech-Solutions and Valeo, and is currently involved in a PI proceeding at the UPC.
Return to Hofstetter
Vera Kühr
However, this is not Kühr’s first time at the firm. In 2018, Kühr joined Hofstetter Schurack & Partner in a full-time capacity, after having worked freelance for the firm since 2012. During this time, she also worked for IP firm Boehmert & Boehmert. In the past, Kühr has also worked as a patent attorney for full-service US firm Jones Day.
Prior to specialising in IP law, Kühr worked at the Institute of Plant Breeding in Stuttgart where she focused on protein and gene expression in maize. Kühr joined Forresters as a partner, and is now returning to the Hofstetter team as a partner.
Kühr says, “I am looking forward to the interesting new task of building up Hofstetter’s life sciences expertise, with a very supportive and broadly specialised team in my back.
Our team always goes the extra mile for each other, and thus creates a special momentum to implement customised and practical solutions for our clients, and to secure our biotechnology and life sciences offering for the future.”
Forresters secures biotech team
In October 2023, Michael Fischer joined Forresters from his previous position as of counsel at Venner Shipley, while in late November 2023 Thomas Böhmer also joined the team from being the head of IP for Pieris Pharmaceuticals. These additions bring the firm’s overall number of patent partners in Germany to three.
Fischer has particular expertise in electronics, computer-implemented inventions (CII) and telecommunications, with Böhmer specialising in life sciences and biochemistry. He has a particular focus on protein, peptide and mRNA therapeutics, as well as personalised medicine.
Matt Barton, partner in Forresters’ Munich office, says, “In view of Vera’s departure from Forresters, we hired partner Thomas Böhmer, from a head of IP role at a Munich biotech company. This ensured continuity of client care for our life sciences clients, with no downtime between Vera leaving and the new appointment. Forresters would like to thank Vera for her contribution in the 18 months she spent with the firm and we wish her all the best in her new position.”