UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide
Ranked Individuals
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 eco-system. As such 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.
Provided by Chambers
Bristows has a superb patent litigation and IP practice. It provides excellent advice on UK and European regulatory frameworks, as well as on commercial and corporate transactions for both emerging innovators and giants of the life sciences industry. It is a leading destination for advice with regard to digital health and medtech, and associated data privacy issues.
Provided by Chambers
Bristows advised AstraZeneca on a global licence agreement with Nona Biosciences to develop new tumour-targeted therapies, based on novel antibodies discovered through a pioneering discovery platform.
Provided by Chambers
They have an excellent depth of knowledge and experience in both the law and the MedTech industry. They are always responsive and attentive.
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.
Bristows's patents team isn't governed by billing targets as others are, so they have the time to get to grips with the tech in a very deep way.
Bristows are excellent and very technically minded, and a bit better on the science and tech side than other firms.
Provided by Chambers
Brian is excellent;he really gets involved in the detail and is extremely sensible and experienced.
Brian is a well-established player; one of the leading powerhouses in patent IP.
Alex really knows his stuff and is a pleasure to work with.
Alex is an excellent lawyer with a pragmatic approach to commercial and legal issues.
Matthew Warren is thorough, and he gives me what I need. He's excellent around intellectual property.
Xisca Borras is adept at advising life sciences companies on the full spectrum of EU and UK regulatory law. She has a particular focus on medical technology and the biopharmaceutical sectors.
Xisca does a lot of EU advocacy and is astonishingly good. She really is a standout.
Xisca is very clear on complex topics and a pleasure to work with.
Claire is excellent, very clear, pragmatic and accessible. She delivers on time and has good client management skills.
Liz is an absolute pleasure to work with. She is very commercially minded and a really good team player.
Rob Burrows has excellent technical expertise on complex genomics.
Rob Burrows is never flustered and is very commercially minded. He's very good.
Ellen Lambrix is recommended for her handling of all manner of IP-driven transactions in the sector. Her clients range from university spin-outs to pharma giants.
Ellen is very commercial, and has strong drafting skills and a good client manner.
Rachel Mumby is a solicitor advocate well known for her expertise in life sciences litigation. She frequently acts for multinational biotech and pharma companies in complex patent proceedings before the High Court.
Rachel has a really good combination of technical as well as legal and analytical skills. She is good at applying her chemistry background to the life sciences sector.
Rachel is excellent. She's very good at coordinating large clients in trial.
Life Sciences: IP/Patent Litigation
Life Sciences: IP/Patent Litigation
Life Sciences: IP/Patent Litigation
Life Sciences: IP/Patent Litigation
Life Sciences: Regulatory
Life Sciences: Regulatory
Life Sciences: Transactional
Life Sciences: Transactional
Life Sciences: Transactional
Life Sciences: Transactional
Provided by Bristows LLP
Marek Petecki
Richard Dickinson
Head of Department
Gregory Bacon
Rachel Mumby
Claire Smith
David Horner
Gemma Barrett
Dom Adair
Xisca Borrás
Rachel Mumby
View profile of Rachel MumbyBrian Cordery
View profile of Brian CorderyRob Burrows
View profile of Rob BurrowsAlex Denoon
View profile of Alex DenoonXisca Borras
View profile of Xisca BorrasMatthew Warren
View profile of Matthew WarrenRichard Dickinson
View profile of Richard DickinsonClaire Smith
View profile of Claire SmithEllen Lambrix
View profile of Ellen Lambrix
Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.
