Life sciences

Bristows has one of the most highly-regarded multi-disciplinary life science legal practices in the world.

                                                             
Our life sciences specialists - many with backgrounds in chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, physics and engineering - work with leading clients from both the private and public sectors. Our clients range from multinational pharmaceutical and biotech companies and medical device manufacturers to universities, SMEs and technology start-ups, private equity and venture capital investors. They come to us for advice on a wide spectrum of IP issues including patents, trade marks and licensing, freedom to operate opinions, collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, financings and the coordination of disputes in multiple jurisdictions. We also work on a wide range of regulatory and competition law issues for clients in this sector, and provide market-leading life cycle management expertise.

We are currently coordinating several international projects to protect and manage the life cycle of blockbuster pharmaceuticals. Large teams of IP, regulatory and competition law specialists are involved, and we have developed particular expertise in handling the vast flows of data and communications via our proprietary IT solutions. Crucially we are able to summarise complex market situations rapidly and regularly in a concise format for senior management, facilitating decision taking at the highest levels within global pharmaceutical companies.

Recently we have advised:

• Novartis on a key patent case which relates to a sustained-release formulation of a cholesterol-lowering statin
   
• Smith & Nephew on several patent litigation cases relating to a range of wound care products
   
• On the $40M private equity funding of Albireo - a biotech spin-out from Astra-Zeneca
   
• On the regulatory side, Servier in a successful judicial review proceedings against NICE
   
• Algeta in relation to manufacturing agreements with Bayer Schering Pharma and the Norwegian Energy Institute
   
• Numerous pharmaceutical companies regarding the handling of sensitive patient and clinical trials data

"Bristows offers a hallmark of quality across a number of life sciences disciplines and earns consistent praise from clients for the sheer strength of its team. It continues to bolster its already impressive market reputation largely through the expertise of its individual lawyers. The firm has been emphasising scientific understanding in developing the practice, leading sources to commend it as well equipped to handle even the most complex disputes."Well connected in various associations. They have demonstrated their commitment to the sector by co-sponsoring and organising major conferences".  "They understand the European market and are capable of co-ordinating litigation across borders." - Chambers and Partners 2012

"This team offers a broad range of services to life sciences clients. It is particularly well regarded for transactions, patent litigation and regulatory matters. It recently represented Smith & Nephew in patent disputes regarding negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and advised Algeta on a global collaboration deal with Bayer." - Chambers and Partners 2011

"Bristows has a great profile in the industry and is very creative in its approach." - Chambers and Partners 2011

Winners of TMT Team of the Year 2010 at The Lawyers Awards 2010