Life Sciences
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : Japan
Band 2
About
Provided by Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
MHM was one of the first Japan-based law firms to establish a practice group dedicated to the life sciences, including health care, pharmaceuticals and medical sciences, and is now without doubt a market leader in this area. Our group practitioners comprise mostly of young and dynamic partners and associates who are attuned to emerging technologies. Its life sciences practice encompasses a wide range of legal matters, from regulatory issues to intellectual property to crisis management to mergers and acquisitions to financing to corporate restructurings, among others. Our lawyers regularly deal with the manufacture, importation and distribution of medical and pharmaceutical products and equipment, governmental approvals, strategic alliances, investments in bio-ventures, and specific regulatory and corporate governance issues affecting medical institutions. Consequently, we are regularly chosen by a wide range of pharmaceutical companies, medical device companies, and biotech start-ups, both domestic and foreign, to advise them on a wide range of legal issues related to their operations. Our experience has created a solid group of legal practitioners who are well-versed not only in the complex and constantly evolving laws and regulations affecting this important and expanding industry but in the specific, practical characteristics and needs of the industry as well.
Chambers Review
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto combines a strong corporate offering with notable expertise in healthcare law. The firm assists clients with pharmaceutical product and medical device licensing and development, as well as related patent protection, enforcement and litigation mandates. The team is regularly enlisted by leading Japanese and international clients on pharmaceutical and healthcare-related M&A transactions. Its key clients include Johnson & Johnson, Jackson Laboratory and Toa Eiyo.
Work Highlights
- Mori Hamada & Matsumoto advised Johnson & Johnson on a distribution agreement with Swedish company Ortoma for a surgery navigation system that uses AI technology.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Even if the concerns are vague or involve complex internal and external circumstances, they can be trusted as professionals because they accurately understand and organise the issues, and provide prompt advice based on deep knowledge and experience."
"They are capable of grasping clients' needs precisely and providing risk-balanced and practical advice and options."
"Even if the concerns are vague or involve complex internal and external circumstances, they can be trusted as professionals because they accurately understand and organise the issues, and provide prompt advice based on deep knowledge and experience."
"They are capable of grasping clients' needs precisely and providing risk-balanced and practical advice and options."
Notable Practitioners
Yo Uraoka is well placed to handle life science transactions as well as regulatory and litigation work in the sector.
"He responds quickly and we receive accurate advice in any field. His credibility within our company is enormous."
"Yo Uraoka has deep experience and knowledge of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and the medical device business."
Takamasa Horio is an up-and-coming lawyer assisting pharmaceutical and medical device companies with regulatory matters. Clients benefit from his experience working as part of government bodies in the life sciences space.
"Mr Horio understands the industry and our business very well and is capable of providing clear, practical and risk-balanced advice."
"In addition to his expertise and broad knowledge as a lawyer, he is also excellent in his ability to accurately grasp complex cases and organise them concisely."
Ranked Lawyers at
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Japan
Members
Provided by Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Head of Department
Head of Department
Yasutaka Tokuda (Head of Department)
Head of Department
Clients
Provided by Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Astellas Pharma Inc.
AstraZeneca K.K.
CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Roche Group)
DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED
GSK plc.
Hitachi, Ltd.
ITOCHU Corporation
Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation
NIPRO CORPORATION
Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
SanBio Co,Ltd.
Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Shimadzu Corporation