Claire Smith
UK Guide 2025
Band 3 : Life Sciences: Transactional
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
020 7400 8403Share profile
Band 3
About
Provided by Claire Smith
Practice Areas
Claire specialises in commercial and intellectual property transactions, most notably in the life sciences, technology, media and consumer product sectors.
Claire advises on a wide variety of commercial and IP transactions (the large majority of which are cross-border) and on corporate and investment deals where IP is an important asset.
Before becoming a lawyer, Claire spent a number of years working for Abbott Laboratories’ medical device business. Since being at Bristows, Claire has also spent time seconded to the in-house legal team of a leading global pharmaceutical company. She is also a member of the UK Bio Industry Association’s Intellectual Property Advisory Committee.
Examples of her recent experience include advising:
Pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and digital health companies on joint ventures, R&D collaborations, strategic partnerships and licensing deals (with commercial and academic partners) to bring novel treatments and devices to market
Leading pharmaceutical companies on acquisitions and disposals of rights in medicinal products and the sale of manufacturing and packaging facilities
Multinational companies on key COVID-19 projects, including collaborations relating to a multijurisdictional clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine, and setting up and operating a COVID-19 testing facility
SMEs and international organisations on development, services, manufacturing, supply and distribution agreements for a wide range of pharmaceutical, industrial and consumer products
A fast-growing start-up on the IP and commercial arrangements relating to the creation, protection and exploitation of a new children’s character
Career
MA Law, University of Oxford
Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice, University of Bristol
Qualified 2003
Partner 2019
Chambers Review
UK
Claire Smith advises clients in the life sciences sector on commercial transactions covering partnering agreements, collaboration, and licensing. She also advises on the IP and commercial aspects of corporate deals. Her client list comprises notable pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Claire is very knowledgeable with a deep understanding of licensing. She is pragmatic, personable, has a can-do attitude and always goes the extra mile."
"Claire has an understanding of the market. She is sensible and rational and helps us find effective, practical solutions."
"A go-to lawyer. Claire Smith is pragmatic and knowledgeable. She is super to work with and very easily resolves issues that arises."
"Claire is very knowledgeable with a deep understanding of licensing. She is pragmatic, personable, has a can-do attitude and always goes the extra mile."
"Claire has an understanding of the market. She is sensible and rational and helps us find effective, practical solutions."
"A go-to lawyer. Claire Smith is pragmatic and knowledgeable. She is super to work with and very easily resolves issues that arises."