Recent case law of the EPO Boards of Appeal in biotechnology, nutrition and pharmaceuticals

Dr Rutz has been a technically qualified member of EPO Board of Appeal 3.3.04 since 2019, with primary responsibility for the technical fields of proteins and antibodies, medical uses and plants. In his previous work as a patent examiner at the EPO, he was involved in revising the Guidelines for Examination and was a member of Examining Board III for the European Qualifying Examination. Dr Rutz studied biochemistry at the Free University of Berlin and Rockefeller University New York and received his PhD from EMBL in Heidelberg.

In 2014 Dr Chakravarty joined Technical Board of Appeal 3.3.04, which deals mainly with appeals in the field of biopharmaceuticals, especially antibodies and their medical uses, as well as plants. Before joining the BoA, he worked as an examiner for 23 years in diverse areas of Biotechnology. He holds a degree in chemistry and biochemistry and a doctorate in plant molecular biology.

Andrea Veronese joined Technical Board of Appeal 3.3.09 in 2018. He deals mainly with appeals in the field of food technology, with particular emphasis on functional foods providing health benefits beyond basic nutrition, e.g. aiming at improving physiological functions and decreasing disease risk. Before joining the Board of Appeal, he worked as examiner in the pharmaceutical field. He holds a degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology and a doctorate in bio-organic chemistry.