Life Sciences
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : Japan
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 303 592 1500About
Provided by Morrison Foerster
Morrison & Foerster’s Tokyo office team includes both U.S.- and UK-qualified attorneys who work seamlessly with Japan-qualified bengoshi to advise on life sciences and healthcare matters spanning a range of practices, including corporate/M&A, litigation, technology transactions, IP, compliance & investigations, antitrust, and capital markets. With the most extensive offering of any international firm in Japan, we regularly advise clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device sectors on their most sensitive and complex transactions, disputes, investigations, and licensing matters, most of which are cross-border in nature. Our Japan capabilities are further strengthened by Morrison & Foerster’s global platform, which includes internationally recognized experts in specializations and industries of key importance to life sciences and healthcare clients, such as patent prosecution, privacy and data security, FDA regulatory, anti-corruption, and national security/protection.
Chambers Review
Morrison Foerster has a substantial team that attracts mandates from major pharmaceutical companies and other corporations engaged in the sector, and especially those relating to cross-border M&A transactions, joint ventures and venture capital. The firm offers advice on IP commercialisation as well as areas such as R&D and patent protection. The team's scope of expertise also includes assisting clients with disputes, with a focus on product liability claims and drug distribution litigation. Notable clients include Chugai Pharmaceutical and Kyowa Kirin.
Work Highlights
- Morrison Foerster's cross-office trial team, co-led by Tokyo and US offices, secured a USD775 million patent litigation settlement for Chugai Pharmaceutical in relation to Alexion Pharmaceuticals’ sales of the anti-complement antibody product, Ultomiris.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"I consider Morrison Foerster to be one of the top firms for life sciences M&A in the Japanese market. The team is very responsive to all my requests and the firm has a well-earned reputation."
"The team is experienced and can provide useful advice with a good understanding of the commercial channels in the pharmaceutical industry."
"I consider Morrison Foerster to be one of the top firms for life sciences M&A in the Japanese market. The team is very responsive to all my requests and the firm has a well-earned reputation."
"The team is experienced and can provide useful advice with a good understanding of the commercial channels in the pharmaceutical industry."
Notable Practitioners
Yukihiro Terazawa is recognised for his experience handling disputes and advising on intellectual property for companies in the life sciences industry.