Hoffmann Eitle has become more visible in the German market according to its peers and is described by one as "the true elite in patent work". The firm is equally strong on the trade mark side and continues to holds its Tierone position in this category. The chemistry and biotech departments are the firm's largest, though it reports growth in its mechanical and electrical engineering departments over the past year as well as expansion outside of the jurisdiction. Hoffmann Eitle opened an office in Milan earlier this year and expanded its UK base in July with a move to larger premises in London. In Munich, Frank van Bouwelen has been made partner and will support the firm's plans to expand into the Dutch market. Other the past 12 months the firm has been successful in litigation on behalf of clients such as Medtronic, Apieron and Lundbeck. On the trade marks side, clients included fashion houses Dallmayr and Hardenberg as well as Burton, manufacturers of sports equipment. In advising Medtronic, Neils Hölder and Thomas Becher were involved a case which saw Edwards Lifesciences PVT sue Medtronic over alleged infringement of its patent for an aortic heart valve prosthesis to be implanted by way of catheterisation.