Sarah Hanson
UK Guide 2025
Band 2 : Life Sciences: Transactional
Band 2
About
Provided by Sarah Hanson
Practice Areas
Sarah Hanson is Global Co-Head of the CMS Life Sciences & Healthcare Group. In this position, she jointly leads an international team of more than 480 lawyers, patent attorneys, scientists and academics’ across CMS. Sarah was formerly the Co-Head of the Life Sciences & Healthcare Sector Group for CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP. Sarah also is a member of the technology team and is a representative on the management committee of the CMS Commercial Law Group as well as being an active member of the firm’s Technology, Media and Communications sector group.
She has specialised in high value, cross-border commercial, intellectual property and outsourcing transactions for more than 20 years having advised on a broad range of commercial agreements relating to in and out licensing, sales and distributor arrangements, research and development, manufacturing and supply, strategic alliances and joint ventures. During her time with the firm she has been on secondment with Warner Lambert (now part of Pfizer).
Professional Memberships
ABHI
ABPI
Biotech Industry Association
Society for Computers & Law
TechUK
Work Highlights
A retail company in relation to a comprehensive IT transformation project with a value of between GBP 1-2bn. The new IT operating model involves the appointment of a ‘service integrator’ supplier who will manage and integrate all IT services. The project also involves appointment of multiple IT “service tower” providers. This includes the following IT services: (i) End User Computing services; (ii) Network services (telecoms networks across company’s entire estate); (iii) Front Office services (front office IT applications including cash and stock management, retail and stock sales, branch accounting); and (iv) Back Office services (back office IT applications including HR, accounting and finance systems).
Camelot in respect of the establishment of the Euro Millions lottery and related matters.
A global company on its transformative HR outsourcing to deliver a new technology platform and service delivery model across multiple regions.
A healthcare company on the adoption of RFID technology to support the management of the supply chain for the distribution of its products from the manufacturer to end users.
An international consumer brands company on its bid for the Boots Consumer Healthcare division including structuring various IP licences and manufacturing arrangements.
A well-known consumer products company in the outsourcing of its back office IT functions to a major IT provider.
A marketing company in relation to a number of contracts with a major supermarket for the design and implementation of various consumer product campaigns.
A UK listed company on the agency agreements to be entered into by it with various distributors across Europe.
A household name drinks company on the logistics and warehousing arrangements for the supply of products in Europe.
A major retail company on various matters including advising on the terms and conditions for its Christmas catalogue, the supply arrangements with a significant procurer of goods and the establishment of its gift voucher scheme.
Education
Bristol University, Bristol
Intellectual Property Diploma
2004
The College of Law, LPC, Chester
Distinction
1994
St John’s College, Cambridge
BA (Hons) Cantab Law 2:1
1993
Chambers Review
UK
Sarah Hanson specialises in assisting multinational corporate clients with key strategic transactions and bringing products to market. She co-leads the firm's life sciences and healthcare group, and has acted on some of the most iconic deals of recent times.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Sarah is a high-level commercial life sciences solicitor. She manages client relationships carefully and is very receptive to our needs."
"Sarah is a strong and well-known friend of the life science industry."
"Sarah is a high-level commercial life sciences solicitor. She manages client relationships carefully and is very receptive to our needs."
"Sarah is a strong and well-known friend of the life science industry."