Department profile
Covington & Burling LLP

Life Sciences: Transactional

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

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Covington & Burling LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Life Sciences: Transactional - UK-wide

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Covington & Burling is a standout practice for complex regulatory matters. It represents drug makers in agency investigations and judicial review cases, and advises life sciences companies large and small on corporate and commercial transactions, including licence agreements, M&A deals and securities offerings. It is also recommended for advice on data privacy. The dispute resolution group handles a variety of contentious matters in the life sciences sector.
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Work Highlights

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  • Covington & Burling successfully represented Merck Sharp & Dohme in a NICE appeal concerning its COVID-19 therapeutic, molnupiravir, for endemic-phase treatment.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Covington & Burling are known for their strong regulatory practice. We regularly see them in large-scale M&A and licensing work, particularly on the private investment side.

    Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

  • We appreciate their reactivity, very good industry knowledge and pragmatic advice.

    Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Grant Castle
    Grant Castle

    Grant Castle

    Grant Castle is one of the leading life sciences regulatory practitioners on this side of the Atlantic. He offers in-depth advice on marketing, authorisation and agency disputes as well as compliance and due diligence associated with licensing and corporate transactions.

    • Grant Castle is really, really strong. He knows what he is talking about.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK
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  • Paul Claydon
    Paul Claydon

    Paul Claydon

    Paul Claydon is a go-to in the sector for corporate, venture capital and private equity transactions. He regularly advises domestic and international biotechs and investors.
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  • Brian Kelly
    Brian Kelly

    Brian Kelly

    Brian Kelly helps companies in the sector navigate the ever-changing regulatory landscape governing life sciences products, and has recently advised clients on matters such as EMA data-sharing requests, judicial reviews and agency proceedings.

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  • Daniel Pavin
    Daniel Pavin

    Daniel Pavin

    Daniel Pavin provides support to emerging digital health technology innovators and life sciences giants on IP-driven commercial and corporate transactions of all kinds.

    • Daniel knows the sector and market trends really well and fights his client's corner in a collaborative way, helping to get the deal done.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

    • Daniel is a terrific operator.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK
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  • James M Halstead
    James M Halstead

    James M Halstead

    James Halstead is well regarded in the sector for his handling of potentially market-changing corporate, capital market and venture capital deals. He has a diverse client base ranging from medical charities through to large pharmaceutical companies.

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  • Sarah Cowlishaw
    Sarah Cowlishaw

    Sarah Cowlishaw

    Sarah Cowlishaw has an impressive profile in the sector for her advisory work pertaining to clinical trials, digital health and all manner of regulatory regimes, as well as the negotiation of transactions.

    • Sarah knows the device space really well and has an easy client manner.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

    • Sarah Cowlishaw is confident and capable; she knows her stuff.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK

    • Sarah Cowlishaw knows medical devices really well and has an easy client manner.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK
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  • Winsome Cheung
    Winsome Cheung

    Winsome Cheung

    Winsome Cheung acts for a wide range of life sciences clients from emerging companies in the tech space to multinational pharma giants. She is particularly well versed in licensing and collaboration arrangements concerning the strategic use and development of IP assets.

    • Winsome is fantastic.

      Life Sciences: Transactional respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Covington & Burling LLP (7)

UK-wide

Covington & Burling LLP has rankings in the following guides

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