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A&O Shearman

Life Sciences: Transactional

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

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A&O Shearman

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Life Sciences: Transactional - UK-wide

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

A&O Shearman has magic circle corporate resources combined with a deep commitment to the life sciences sector. The team has one of the most formidable patent litigation practices in the UK and Europe, and has recently taken cases before the Supreme Court. It advises on many of the most significant transactions of the day, and the firm draws on its international footprint to handle work in multiple jurisdictions including emerging markets.

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Work Highlights

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  • A&O Shearman advised German immunology innovator BioNTech on its USD800 million acquisition of Biotheus, a China-based clinical-stage biotechnology company.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • In cross-border cases, A&O Shearman propose optimal business schemes and negotiation strategies while taking into account the laws and regulations of each country. They always respond quickly.

    Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

  • A&O Shearman is extraordinarily client-focused, offering exceptional availability and real-time advice.

    Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

  • They offer a seamless service with an integrated advisory approach and second-to-none pharma deal expertise. The team has the ability to swiftly deal with multi-jurisdictional topics.

    Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

  • The client service from the firm is always great, as is the top-level advice.

    Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

  • They are excellent at anticipating the needs of the client and bending over backwards to ensure the smooth execution of a deal.

    Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Marjan Noor
    Marjan Noor

    Marjan Noor

    Marjan Noor is recognised as a highly skilled intellectual property litigator in the field of life sciences, receiving frequent instructions from market-leading clients. She also advises on the regulatory aspects of transactions in the sector.

    • Marjan leads the team very smoothly and is respected by all levels of our organisation.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

    • Marjan is very collaborative, straight-talking, strategic and careful in her approach.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK
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  • Jim Ford
    Jim Ford

    Jim Ford

    Jim Ford is a highly respected contracts and rights assignment specialist with a focus on science and technology-based companies. He works for a range of clients in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors on complex licensing transactions and IP-driven corporate deals.

    • Jim is considered, thoughtful and easy to work with.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

    • Jim provides in-depth expertise in complex pharmaceutical matters.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

    • Jim Ford provides reasonable and appropriate legal insights, highlights risks that we have not yet covered and suggests negotiation strategies.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK
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  • Mark Ridgway
    Mark Ridgway

    Mark Ridgway

    Mark Ridgway is respected for his practice handling contentious matters for life sciences companies. He is particularly well known for issues relating to freedom to operate and all manner of patent-based disputes.

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  • Rafi Allos
    Rafi Allos

    Rafi Allos

    Rafi Allos is a fast-emerging talent with notable litigation experience acting on behalf of pharmaceuticals and biotechs.

    • Rafi has good regulatory knowledge and is very hard-working.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

    • Rafi is a very good technical lawyer and knows all the law and the cases. He is also very practical.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK
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  • Gemma Barrett
    Gemma Barrett

    Gemma Barrett

    Gemma Barrett is recommended for her technical skill and legal acumen with regard to patent litigation concerning pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

    • Gemma is great to work with; she is a good team player and is experienced and hard-working.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

    • Gemma is very practical and thinks very strategically; she is able to anticipate what could happen.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK
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  • Matthew Appleton
    Matthew Appleton

    Matthew Appleton

    Matthew Appleton has deep expertise in cross-border M&A and licensing arrangements, acting for major clients in consumer health, pharma and biotech.

    • Matthew is very timely, has great attention to detail and can come up with creative legal solutions. He is great at managing a team effectively and allocating the right level of resources.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

    • Matthew is an intelligent and shrewd operator. He is great at understanding in-house and external counsel roles and assisting smooth transaction management.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

    • Matthew is great. He knows the industry well, has good technical skills and is great with the board and senior management. He gets the transaction and its goals beyond the pure legals.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

    • Matthew Appleton is extremely pragmatic and very commercial. He is clearly seasoned.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

    • Matthew Appleton was top notch: he was always available and happy to chat through issues, and made good suggestions on how to approach things. A valued adviser.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at A&O Shearman (6)

UK-wide

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