Leo Polz

A well established patent professional who “likes to think outside the box”

Trained as both an organic and biochemist, Leo Polz’s experience covers all fields of the life sciences including pharmaceutics, diagnostics, analytics and microbiology. Moreover, he is familiar with synthetic chemistry and industrial technologies.

With over 30 years of experience as a patent professional at HOFFMANN EITLE, Leo now specializes in patent litigation, opposition and appeal proceedings before the European and German Patent Offices, as well as before the German infringement courts and the German Federal Patent Court. He is also frequently involved in international litigation projects. His esteemed experience also spans to therapeutically valuable proteins and biologics such as blood factors, vaccines, hormones, antibodies (Adalimumab, Trastuzumab, Aflibercept, etc.), cell cultures, polymerase chain reaction, CRISPR, screening methods and next-generation DNA-sequencing technologies.

Prior to joining HOFFMANN EITLE in 1990, Leo earned his doctorate at Ludwig-Maximilian-University in Munich and then went on to work at Chiba and Kyoto University in Japan in a position for a post-doctoral scientist in the field of pharmaceutical biology. Fascinated by the oriental culture and lifestyle, Leo soon established close personal contacts all over Asia, and now enjoys advising clients globally.

In his time away from the IP world, Leo can be found hiking in the countryside with his dog or trying to master the Chinese characters. Besides this, he is an avid wine collector, considering this occupation to be “applied biochemistry” and more than a mere hobby.