Wolfram Schiweck

Schiweck Weinzierl Koch is a dynamic, relatively young yet highly experienced team with a strong technical background across the chemical, pharmaceutical and life science sector.

The firm is particularly experienced in antibody inventions and inventions relating to artificial binding molecules with antibody-like properties. These technologies have become the driver in pharmaceutical development, including (cancer) immunotherapy and diagnostic applications. The firm has an additional focus on opposition and appeal proceedings before the EPO, and on freedom-to-operate and due diligence work.

Partner Wolfram Schiweck noted: “In 2014, we also added medical devices to our technical expertise – to meet the demand of our clients and we continued to grow in this area in 2015.”

He added: “What separates us from our peers is that we aim to have as much direct contact with our clients, and to engage them in discussion to work as a team and to get the best possible result for them. In addition, we are a multicultural team with, for example, English, Chinese (Mandarin), Polish, and German native speakers, and thus have the ability to overcome potential communication barriers.”

According to Mr Schiweck, common legal issues that Schiweck Weinzierl Koch encounters include those related to building strong IP  position for its clients’ key technology, especially antibody inventions / artificial binding molecules with antibody-like properties. 
“But yes, we have the expertise to develop such strong IP positions,” noted Mr Schiweck. “Also, conducting due diligence and freedom-to-operate work to assist our clients in securing business deals is quite common.”

Today, the firm’s clients are highly focused on research and innovation, whether it is an academic institution, a start-up company or a multinational corporation. Its client base consists of a mix of clients from academic institutions, small and medium enterprises as well as multinational corporations.   

Also in 2015 Schiweck Weinzierl Koch assisted a number of clients in securing investments from strategic investors, or in being acquired by multi-national companies that were looking to boost their product pipeline. One of these deals included the acquisition of one of the firm’s clients by a NASDAQ listed company for over $US 200 million; another major deal was the acquisition of another client by a US pharmaceutical company for $US 21 million.

Looking to the future, Mr Schiweck noted: “We will be further expanding, and taking on new attorneys to complement our expertise with their technical background – and, ideally, multilingual background.”