Department profile
Bristows LLP

Life Sciences

Europe Guide 2026 : Europe-wide


Bristows LLP

About

Provided by Bristows LLP

Bristows has one of the most highly-regarded life sciences practices in the world.

We have a true cross-disciplinary team of over 80 lawyers in this space encompassing our renowned IP practice, regulatory, competition,  transactional, dispute resolution, IT and data protection teams. The strength of each individual practice complements the others to provide a fully integrated and comprehensive service.

Our life sciences specialists - many with backgrounds in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics and neuroscience -  advise clients from the different key participants making up the life sciences ecosystem. We act for global pharma, specialist investors, growing biotech and medtech companies, universities and research institutes, specialist service providers and government funded bodies. Our clients also include tech companies now entering the sector as convergence takes hold.

Clients come to us for advice on issues including intellectual property disputes and the coordination of disputes in multiple jurisdictions – whether patents, trade marks or confidential information – and freedom to operate analysis, as well as disputes arising from collaborations and other contractual arrangements.

We advise on the navigation of the regulatory regime for complex new products, spin-outs, financings, IPOs and other exits, the application of competition law to developing business models and on the validity, enforcement and exploitation of novel plant variety rights.

Industries (5)

  • Pharmaceutical
  • Biotechnology
  • Medical Devices
  • Medtech
  • Food & Agriculture

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Life Sciences - Europe-wide

Band 4

Band 4


What the Team is Known For

Bristows has expertise in pan-European IP matters, with a solid reputation in cross-border matters of both a transactional and contentious nature. The law firm advises leading life science clients on patent litigation, with notable strength in revocation and enforcement proceedings. It also represents clients in market authorisation files, assisting with development and commercialisation of new products.

Notable practitioners

Liz Cohen and Richard Dickinson, based in London, head the firm's life sciences practice and are key points of contact.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Bristows assisted Novartis with the enforcement of its patents for Tasigna.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They have a very pragmatic yet detailed approach; they get to the point quickly and deliver advice that is easily shared and implemented with commercial colleagues.

    Life Sciences respondentEurope

Members

Provided by Bristows LLP

  • Marek Petecki

  • Richard Dickinson

    Head of Department

  • Rachel Mumby

  • Gregory Bacon

  • Claire Smith

  • Brian Cordery

  • Liz Cohen

    Head of Department

  • Dom Adair

  • Rob Burrows

  • Gemma Barrett

  • Sophie Lawrance

  • Xisca Borrás

  • Alex Denoon

  • Dave Horner

Bristows LLP has rankings in the following guides

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