Life Sciences
Europe Guide 2024 : Europe-wide
Band 4
Contact number
(020) 7400 8000About
Provided by Bristows LLP
Bristows has one of the most highly-regarded life sciences practices in the world.
We have a true cross-disciplinary team of over 80 lawyers in this space encompassing our renowned IP practice, regulatory, competition, transactional, dispute resolution, IT and data protection teams. The strength of each individual practice complements the others to provide a fully integrated and comprehensive service.
Our life sciences specialists - many with backgrounds in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics and neuroscience - advise clients from the different key participants making up the life sciences ecosystem. We act for global pharma, specialist investors, growing biotech and medtech companies, universities and research institutes, specialist service providers and government funded bodies. Our clients also include tech companies now entering the sector as convergence takes hold.
Clients come to us for advice on issues including intellectual property disputes and the coordination of disputes in multiple jurisdictions – whether patents, trade marks or confidential information – and freedom to operate analysis, as well as disputes arising from collaborations and other contractual arrangements.
We advise on the navigation of the regulatory regime for complex new products, spin-outs, financings, IPOs and other exits, the application of competition law to developing business models and on the validity, enforcement and exploitation of novel plant variety rights.
Chambers Review
Bristows has expertise in pan-European IP matters, with a solid reputation in cross-border matters of both a transactional and contentious nature. The law firm advises leading life science clients on patent litigation, with notable strength in revocation and enforcement proceedings. It also represents clients in market authorisation files, assisting with development and commercialisation of new products. Bristows also continues to be active for leading research teams in landmark cases relating to COVID-19 vaccines and variants, and testing.
Liz Cohen and Richard Dickinson, based in London, head the firm's life sciences practice and are key points of contact.
Work Highlights
- Bristows acted for Teva on a challenge to invalidate Grűnenthal's patents covering testosterone undecanoate, used to treat hypogonadism, low testosterone levels in men and for hormone therapy for transgender men.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Bristows is a very good firm, particularly in coordinating multi-jurisdictional litigation. They have a good network of colleagues across Europe."
"They are really great, client-centric, and very knowledgeable about the industry. The Bristows team comes up with pragmatic solutions, and adds a personal touch to advice. They have a solid team across the board. I do not see them as just there to make a profit. They are efficient and true partners."
"Bristows is a very good firm, particularly in coordinating multi-jurisdictional litigation. They have a good network of colleagues across Europe."
"They are really great, client-centric, and very knowledgeable about the industry. The Bristows team comes up with pragmatic solutions, and adds a personal touch to advice. They have a solid team across the board. I do not see them as just there to make a profit. They are efficient and true partners."
Members
Provided by Bristows LLP
Alex Denoon
Brian Cordery
Claire Smith
Dave Horner
Dom Adair
Gemma Barrett
Gregory Bacon
Liz Cohen
Head of Department
Marek Petecki
Rachel Mumby
Richard Dickinson
Head of Department
Rob Burrows
Sophie Lawrance
Xisca Borrás
Industries
Provided by Bristows LLP
Biotechnology
Food & Agriculture
Medical Devices
Medtech
Pharmaceutical