Life Sciences
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : Japan
Band 3
Contact number
+ 81.3.4595.3939About
Provided by Jones Day
Our team in Japan prides itself on its longstanding local relationships, forged from the many years spent working to serve the interests of a diverse and continuously expanding client base. As one of the first international firms to open in Japan, Jones Day’s life sciences practice was instrumental in the development of our office in Tokyo and was a key player in the mergers of major domestic pharmaceutical companies that reshaped the Japanese market, including Sumitomo Pharmaceutical’s merger with Dainippon Pharmaceuticals.
Our team of Japanese bengoshi and foreign attorneys - each of whom possessing more than 20 years of experience in their area of practice - advise leading domestic and international life sciences companies on the full scope of issues affecting them, including:
• major domestic and cross-border acquisitions and joint ventures;
• co-development, licensing, distribution and other strategic arrangements;
• high-stakes litigation, arbitration and other dispute resolution involving, among others, Hatch-Waxman disputes and patent infringement;
• antitrust matters;
• data privacy, including the international transmission of patient data;
• investigations involving FCPA and Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, among others;
• market entry and clinical trials in Japan.
The Tokyo team forms a key part of our deeply integrated global practice, which advises the world’s premier life sciences companies across offices throughout the Asia-Pacific, Europe and US.
Chambers Review
Jones Day houses a talented group distinguished for the scope of its expertise. The team is proficient in liaising with other offices in dealing with the protection and enforcement of IP assets, especially patents. The firm is also well placed to assist life sciences clients in relation to corporate transactions, and can leverage its global network to assist clients with international matters. Kaken Pharmaceutical and Sanofi are key clients.
Work Highlights
- Jones Day advised Kaken Pharmaceutical with respect to a collaboration agreement with CymaBay Therapeutics for the development and commercialisation of Seladelpar in Japan.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The firm makes complex issues easy to understand. The team's advice is straightforward and logical, and they are always client-friendly."
"The firm has a high level of expertise in the life sciences field, a very good understanding of the strategies of Japanese companies and provides high-level advice from a professional perspective."
"The firm makes complex issues easy to understand. The team's advice is straightforward and logical, and they are always client-friendly."
"The firm has a high level of expertise in the life sciences field, a very good understanding of the strategies of Japanese companies and provides high-level advice from a professional perspective."
Notable Practitioners
Benjamin Lang is a practitioner in the field of life sciences in Japan, handling cross-border transactions for both Japanese and international clients.
"He's just excellent on every front."
"He is a most trusted attorney who has worked hard for his clients and has a deep knowledge of the Japanese pharmaceutical market."
Ranked Lawyers at
Jones Day
Japan
Members
Provided by Jones Day