Taft’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice is honored in the 10^th edition of “IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals,” with a bronze band for litigation in Illinois. Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Litigation practice chair Stephen Auten and partner Richard Ruzich are both recognized in the silver band for Individuals: litigation. The guide is published annually by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) magazine.

Taft is lauded for its “SWAT team for generic pharmaceutical companies. Pairing up seasoned trial lawyers with PhD-level scientific advisers, the firm has turned Hatch-Waxman litigation into an art form, handling dozens upon dozens of such cases. It also exhibits a deft touch on other crucial instructions, including post-grant proceedings, portfolio evaluation and transactions.” Attorney Auten is a “thought leader and consummate litigator with all-encompassing industry knowledge.” Ruzich is “a collaborator cut from the same cloth.”

The guide conducts intensive research and interviews to identify the top patent professionals and practices. Individuals qualify for the IAM Patent 1000 once they receive sufficient positive feedback from peers and clients with knowledge of their practice and the market within which they operate. See the full IAM Patent 1000 here.

Auten is a widely recognized and seasoned attorney in Hatch-Waxman and biosimilar matters, including related patent litigation, and is followed by key industry leaders (brand and generic alike), law firms, analysts, educators, and others on his LinkedIn blog, “Hatch Waxman ANDA Litigation Forum,” which has more than 11,000 members worldwide. He currently represents clients primarily in the areas of Paragraph IV design strategies, Hatch-Waxman litigation, and biosimilar market opportunities.

Ruzich is an internationally recognized patent attorney who focuses on complex patent litigation, representing generic pharmaceutical companies in ANDA litigation under the Hatch-Waxman statutory framework. An accomplished trial and appellate advocate, registered patent attorney and frequent lecturer and author, he is known worldwide for his legal work on behalf of his generic clients, including biosimilar sponsors. His experience covers the entire lifecycle spectrum from product selection, Paragraph IV development and through to market entry, including at-risk launches.