Healthcare & Life Sciences: Germany

THE FIRM This team enjoys a tremendous reputation for life sciences, concentrating on regulatory work and contentious issues for major pharmaceutical and medical companies. A key highlight saw the team assist Grünenthal with a EUR700 million licence and manufacturing agreement that links the company with Forest Laboratories Ireland. The team also advised Berlin Chemie on a EUR4.6 billion award procedure.

Sources say: "In our line of work things tend to be quick and instant, so you need to arrange calls in 24 hours - that is the kind of fast response you get at Baker & McKenzie."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients praise Thilo Raepple for his cross-border expertise and rapid response time. As one source enthuses, "I deal with a lot of countries in Europe and he is one of the best lawyers I have ever met."

Constanze Ulmer-Eilfort wins praise for her broad perspective, understanding of detailed issues and ability to stay calm under pressure. "She has good insight into industry developments," say sources.

THE FIRM This team is adept at handling multi-jurisdictional disputes in patent infringement cases thanks to the firm's extensive presence across the continent. Recently, the group advised GlaxoSmithKline on patent infringement proceedings against Hoffmann-La Roche, Abbott Laboratories and Boehringer Ingelheim pertaining to purification methods for antibody preparation. Commentators note the team's excellent response times, market knowledge and value for money.

Sources say: "A first-class team."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Munich-based Boris Kreye is the main contact for the team.

THE FIRM This full-service powerhouse offers a range of services spanning the healthcare and life sciences sectors on both a domestic and global basis. The team is particularly strong in handling marketing claims as well as unfair competition and compliance work in the pharmaceuticals market. In addition, the partners are extremely well versed in reimbursement issues and regulatory matters. A notable highlight saw the group advise Bayer HealthCare on the establishment of a joint venture with the Indian pharma company Zydus Cadila. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Dieners is renowned for his medical devices and compliance expertise. He recently represented Octapharma in proceedings against the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut and EMA regarding a product recall and a suspension of market authorisation.

Ulrich Reese remains a key practitioner in the life sciences sector and recently formed part of the team advising Pfizer on its planned takeover of King Pharmaceuticals.

THE FIRM This firm is a well-known player in the healthcare and life sciences field and is often involved in advertising, unfair competition and transactional matters. Among the team's key highlights is its work for BC Partners on the acquisition of Synlabs. It has also been involved in a major deal in the ambulant diagnostics sector. Sources praise the team's efficient service and excellent value for money.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Commentators declare that Heidi Wrage-Molkenthin is "great on the competition side of healthcare, especially in trade mark matters. She is also knowledgeable on the medical devices field."

Sources say Jörn Witt has "a very promising future ahead of him." His practice covers IP, competition and licensing matters.

THE FIRM This Berlin-based boutique offers in-depth expertise in both healthcare and life sciences. The team is predominantly active in the domestic market and attracts an impressive range of clients such as pharmaceutical companies, physicians and technology companies. The team is also adept at assisting public authorities. Areas of expertise include regulatory and reimbursement issues, licensing, health insurance, data protection and competition/EU law.  

Sources say: "A go-to firm for healthcare and life sciences. It has tremendous knowledge of both fields and the lawyers are very entrepreneurial."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Christian Dierks has a notable background in medicine and brings his experience to bear in healthcare matters. Sources especially highlight his expertise in regulatory, reimbursement and compliance issues.

THE FIRM This Munich-based partnership is one of the leading firms in healthcare, best known for representing physicians and assisting with the organisation of clinical trials for medical devices. Clients also consult the team on compliance issues as well as the recent AMNOC healthcare reform.

Sources say: "The team is very well established in this field and knows all about the regulations."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources describe Alexander Ehlers as a "force in the market," and highlight his experience as both a physician and lawyer. He is also known for establishing strong networks, most notably with the Doctors Association, and frequently advises AOK Baden-Württemberg on regulatory healthcare issues and rebate contracts.

THE FIRM This international giant handles a variety of life sciences mandates, from IP and regulatory issues to M&A transactions. Recent mandates have centred on the disposals of assets and shares, asset deal transfers and licences within the pharmaceuticals industry. Market observers praise the team's business-oriented solutions and strength of expertise across a number of practice areas.

Sources say: "The team has excellent response times and a pragmatic approach; it's great at pulling together the right people."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jochen Dieselhorst is "able to evaluate risks and find suitable solutions for both parties," enthuse clients.

THE FIRM Commentators hold Gleiss Lutz in high esteem for life sciences work, particularly regarding IP and patent issues. On the healthcare side, the firm has notable strength in public procurement matters for health insurers and also boasts a broad regulatory practice. A recent highlight saw the group represent AOK NordWest and AOK Bremen-Bremerhaven in verification proceedings concerning general practitioner provision agreements.

Sources say: "The team provides a straightforward service and speedy answers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andreas Neun is prized for his public procurement expertise, particularly for health insurance companies. He is also experienced in privatisation and PPP matters.

THE FIRM This firm is known for transactional and regulatory work, particularly in the biotech area. The team is often instructed to create contracts between statutory health insurance providers and physicians, and deals with the tax liability and exclusive service functions of subsidiary health insurance companies. Healthcare reform is another key area of focus for the group.

Sources say: "The firm offers at all times the excellence and customer-oriented service that is expected of a leading law firm with an outstanding reputation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Dirk Uwer's wide-ranging practice covers environment, regulatory, healthcare, life sciences and data protection.

THE FIRM Life sciences remains an important focus of this firm, and it continues to offer outstanding advice on a broad range of issues, including regulatory, IP and contentious work. The team offers an integrated service thanks to its dedicated corporate and product liability subteams as well as its strong links to the USA. The group is also recommended for healthcare, where it covers general transactional work as well as competition law and compliance issues. Recent mandates include representing Philips in a procurement review dispute.  

Sources say: "The team has good industry insight and experience with tricky issues."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Jörg Schickert is well known for his expertise in regulatory matters.

Ina Brock is "a leading lawyer for product liability," say sources. She co-heads the firm's global life sciences sector team and draws praise for her expertise in cross-border proceedings.

A well-known patent litigator, Andreas von Falck is commended for his expertise in corporate and IP-related work in the life sciences sector.

"An experienced litigator with good expertise in this area," Tanja Eisenblätter tackles competition and product advertising matters, as well as compliance work.

THE FIRM This international firm has a strong focus on patent litigation, regulatory and IP-related work. As well as its solid domestic practice, the team is also recommended for cross-border mandates, and often collaborates with its colleagues in the USA, China and Japan. Key highlights include advising Sanofi on the acquisition of Siegfried Pharma International's inhaler business .

KEY INDIVIDUALS Christian Fulda "really gets to the core of a case, makes strategic decisions and gives clear guidance in a very short time," say sources. He typically advises clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries.

THE FIRM This enterprising boutique often handles litigation mandates for clients in the food and medical devices industries, as well as on behalf of drugs manufacturers. Other areas of focus include regulatory issues, trade secrets work, patent infringement cases and criminal assignments. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Friedrich Klinkert is the main contact here.

THE FIRM This firm boasts one of the most established and respected healthcare teams in the country. It offers a multidisciplinary service that touches upon M&A, real estate and employment issues, and also has notable strength in health insurance mandates. Recent work has centred on the sale of hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. Life sciences is another notable area for the firm and it has noteworthy experience in transactional work for pharmaceutical clients.

Sources say: "Latham has one of the best practices in healthcare: it has extensive knowledge of the regulations and gets involved in most of the healthcare reforms."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Henning Schneider co-chairs the firm's global healthcare industry group and is hailed as "an extremely good lawyer who deals with different parties very well. He knows about clinics and long-term care, which makes it easier when you talk about what is possible and what is not." Clients particularly appreciate his broad expertise in M&A transactions, real estate and healthcare.

Ulrich Börger earns praise for his technical skill and business acumen, with one source saying: "He can highlight both the legal and commercial considerations."

THE FIRM This life sciences team handles contractual advice, transactions, advertising disputes and product liability. It attracts leading domestic and international clients such as Sanofi, Novartis, Bayer Pharma and Fresenius.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The primary contact at the department is Nikolaos Paschos.

THE FIRM This firm covers a variety of mandates in the healthcare sector, advising public entities and municipalities as well as private companies and investors. It principally advises on privatisation, organisation and due diligence matters for hospitals and university clinics, but also comes recommended for PPP projects and building law. The team is currently advising eight German universities on the setting up of a healthcare centre across various sites.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Frankfurt-based Claudia Strohe is the main contact for the department.

THE FIRM This life sciences team handles IP and regulatory work, often dealing with the commercial aspects of pharmaceutical-related mandates. Recent workload has centred on patent litigation agreements and compliance issues, and the group has seen an increase in work for medical device companies. The firm has substantial international reach and often co-operates with colleagues in London and the USA, as seen in its advice to Baxter on experimental use privileges and the Roche-Bolar exemption under EU patent laws.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources acclaim Adem Koyuncu as "very talented and liked by clients and peers alike." He is a qualified doctor as well as a lawyer, and so has exceptional understanding of clinical practices and insight into the medical devices area.

THE FIRM This global firm has a prominent healthcare practice and wins notable praise for its expertise in compliance matters and anti-kickback regulations. The team also has substantial strength in transactional work, thanks to the firm's robust M&A practice. Much of its recent workload has focused on matters relating to hospitals and medical devices, and it has also handled new developments in the outpatient sector. Clients include private and public entities, such as private equity firms and local government bodies.

Sources say: "Thanks to its deep knowledge of the health sector and its regulatory and commercial background, the team works very efficiently and immediately asks the right questions."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients say Stephan Rau "always looks at the commercial impact of proposed structures and makes feasible proposals. He remains calm under pressure and is a great negotiator."

THE FIRM This firm boasts a number of excellent litigators who are adept at handling life sciences and healthcare-related issues. The group is well known for advising on licensing contracts, reimbursement issues and product monitoring and safety. It also has a strong grasp of competition and advertising matters. 

Sources say: "The team really fights for its clients and comes up with creative solutions."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Cologne-based Peter Klappich is the key contact here.

THE FIRM This firm impresses sources with its unfair competition and regulatory practice. The cross-disciplinary team offers clients a highly personalised service thanks to its expertise in corporate, employment and competition law. It is particularly active in advising manufacturers, entrepreneurs and wholesalers on issues concerning pharmaceutical distribution regulations.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Heinz-Uwe Dettling heads the practice out of Stuttgart.

THE FIRM Best known for its work in patents, this firm also comes recommended for trade mark, competition and drug law. It is often instructed by family-owned companies and medical device companies.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter von Czettritz draws praise for his hands-on approach and excellent organisation skills: "He is reliable, quick and trustworthy."

THE FIRM This boutique is an established name within the healthcare sector, focusing on hospital law matters and advising ambulatory practitioners. The team also has experience in planning law, health insurance and litigation. On the life sciences side, it often works on plant protection. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Name partner Michael Quaas is the key contact.

THE FIRM This Hamburg-based boutique is widely regarded as the go-to firm for unfair competition and health advertising. Clients value its expertise in pharmaceutical and cosmetics law as well as its knowledge of regulatory and reimbursement work. The team also has notable experience in litigation cases.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources highlight Wolfgang Kozianka's long-standing presence in regulatory and unfair competition mandates. He is also recommended for marketing claims issues.

THE FIRM This domestic boutique maintains its thriving healthcare practice, with noteworthy strength in medical law. The team handles administrative and judicial procedures as well as data protection and privacy issues. Clients include private individuals and hospitals.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Peter Wigge enjoys a robust reputation for medical law and publishes extensively on this subject.

THE FIRM This dedicated healthcare boutique focuses on medical law and the outpatient sector. It has considerable domestic coverage and is also equipped to handle regulatory work.

Sources say: "The team knows everything there is to know about the healthcare sector."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers regard Martin Rehborn as a "force in the market." He is admired for his medical malpractice, health insurance and hospital law expertise.

THE FIRM This renowned Bonn-based boutique goes from strength to strength in the life sciences sector, consolidating its extensive experience in regulatory work, compliance, anti-corruption measures and unfair competition.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Life sciences expert Burkhard Sträter continues to be admired as one of the best lawyers in this field. He earns particular recommendations for medical and drug law registration issues.

THE FIRM This firm strengthens its position in both life sciences and healthcare thanks to a number of strategic hires and new client instructions. Statutory health insurance and transactional work are major aspects of the group's work, and it has an impressive track record for representing parallel importers and generics companies. The group also provides general advice on competition, compliance and data protection. Clients appreciate the team's international perspective and it often co-operates with its colleagues in London to offer a truly cross-border service.

Sources say: "Well versed in dealing with the complexities of this field."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients regard managing partner Wolfgang Rehmann as "a brilliant and quick-thinking lawyer; he understands a client's problems and not only thinks from a legal point of view but also tries to find solutions from a business perspective."

THE FIRM This firm is well regarded for transactional work, litigation and licensing issues. The team is split between the Berlin and Frankfurt offices, and is made up of practitioners from the corporate and antitrust departments. It attracts leading biotech investors and private equity houses, including many from Asia and Eastern Europe. The group is currently advising 3B Pharmaceuticals on corporate matters, alliances and licences.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rüdiger Herrmann complements his expertise in the life sciences and healthcare sector with substantial experience in corporate/M&A and private equity.

The "young but strong" Ilka Diane Mehdorn gains recognition for her work assisting GP associations with statutory health insurance questions.