Department profile
Fasken

Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance

Canada Guide 2026 : Nationwide - Canada


Fasken

Rankings

About

Provided by Fasken

Our team speaks the same language as our clients do, and helps them navigate the product life cycle – from M&A to patent and product liability proceedings. Working together, at every stage, to bring new products to market and protect your assets.

The lawyers at Fasken work with clients throughout the product life cycle and at every level of involvement. We have the scientific backgrounds and respected experience to provide strategic advice in almost any situation where it is needed.

By collaborating with colleagues who know the specific regulatory, marketing, intellectual property, competition, tax, litigation and business law matters unique to life sciences, we create multi-disciplinary solutions that protect client interests as their products move from conception to consumer or clinical use.

Our clients range from start-up biotech companies to the biggest pharmaceutical. We also work with clients from the medical devices, natural health product (NHP), cosmetic, cannabis, veterinary, and human tissues. We help all life sciences industry stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, hospitals, pharmacies, retailers, academic and financial institutions and third-party research organizations.

Your team at Fasken includes lawyers with advance degrees in pharmaceutical sciences, clinical pharmacology, toxicology and genetics with a strong network of life sciences experts in 47 countries across the globe.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance - Nationwide - Canada


What the Team is Known For

With well-regarded expertise in the pharmaceutical sector, Fasken impresses with its diverse life sciences practice, offering a strong focus on regulatory mandates but also encompassing corporate and IP matters. Well known for its strong product liability offering, the law firm often assists clients with patent litigation arising in the space, with experience before both provincial and federal courts. The broad team features lawyers from a variety of areas, such as employment and privacy, to offer clients a multidisciplinary approach. It is highlighted for the strength of its life sciences industry expertise in Montréal as well as for its work for sector clients in the USA, Europe and Asia.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Fasken advised Novo Holdings on its acquisition of Catalent, a global contract development and manufacturing organisation.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Fasken has raised the bar in this field; there is no team like them.

    Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
  • Fasken provides clear, well-reasoned legal opinions and navigates intricate regulatory challenges with expertise and efficiency.

    Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
  • Fasken is the best firm to handle complex matters requiring cross-functional input and expertise.

    Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
  • Although the Fasken counsellors have multifaceted competencies, they also bear unique, sound, sub-speciality expertise that makes them a true one-stop shop and a trusted partner.

    Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
  • Fasken has a team of experts who are highly knowledgeable of the industry issues and their advice is very useful.

    Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Mathieu Gagné
    Band 1Mathieu Gagné

    Mathieu Gagné

    Based in Montréal, market leader Mathieu Gagné is an experienced drug and medical devices lawyer who is frequently sought out for assistance with complex regulatory and licensing mandates.

    • Mathieu has unparalleled expertise in pharmaceutical law.

      Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
    • Mathieu's advice is clear, concise and timely and his deep understanding of our commercial needs is key.

      Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
    • Mathieu Gagné provides superior legal advice and a great understanding of the Canadian healthcare system and regulatory environment. He is very pragmatic and has great business acumen.

      Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
  • Band 2Ingrid E VanderElst
    Band 2Ingrid E VanderElst

    Ingrid E VanderElst

    Toronto-based Ingrid VanderElst is an experienced IP and regulatory lawyer who is frequently consulted by clients in the life sciences sector, including biomedical research and pharmaceutical companies. Her regulatory practice particularly impresses for its breadth, covering licensing, competition and pricing, among other areas.

    • Ingrid VanderElst has a really good eye for what the risks could be. I know when I have something reviewed by Ingrid, I am protected. She will look at it from one thousand different ways.

      Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
  • Band 2Jean-Raphaël Champagne
    Band 2Jean-Raphaël Champagne

    Jean-Raphaël Champagne

    Jean-Raphaël Champagne assists clients with a range of regulatory issues, including licensing and PLA review, as well as representation in market authorisation and compliance issues. He is based in the law firm's Québec City office.

    • Jean-Raphaël knows how to best support in-house departments in the business by bringing a very practical and innovative perspective to every project.

      Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
    • Jean-Raphaël Champagne's in-depth knowledge of the legal and business environment is impressive.

      Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
  • Band 2Timothy M. Squire
    Band 2Timothy M. Squire

    Timothy M. Squire

    Timothy Squire is highlighted for his experience assisting domestic and international pharmaceutical companies with the licensing and launching of their products across Canada. He is based in Toronto.
    • Tim is an outstanding, knowledgeable and strategic professional who consistently acts in the best interest of our firm.

      Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
    • Tim is the best pharma lawyer that I have ever worked with. He not only has superior knowledge of all pharma laws and regulations, but also an understanding of the commercial challenges we face.

      Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
    • Timothy is practical, thoughtful and a pleasure to interact with. As a non-lawyer, I appreciate his ability to communicate complex legal issues in terms that make sense.

      Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
    • Tim holds a very deep understanding of complex matters within the life science industry and a very strong business acumen.

      Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
  • Up and ComingDara Jospé
    Up and ComingDara Jospé

    Dara Jospé

    Dara Jospé is an increasingly well-regarded lawyer with a broad regulatory practice in the life sciences sector, including notable experience in the launch of products and PLA reviews. She is based in Montréal.

    • Dara provides excellent and thorough legal advice, she is very detailed-oriented.

      Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
    • Dara Jospé is exceptional, she just knows the answers on the spot and provides a business-oriented solution that acknowledges the risk and commercial challenges.

      Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
    • I cannot say enough good things about Dara. She is very knowledgeable, detail-oriented and ensures that every legal matter is handled with precision and efficiency.

      Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada
    • Dara is one of the best pharmaceutical lawyers I've ever worked with. She is extremely responsive, excels at tackling novel legal issues and provides clear and practical legal analysis.

      Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance respondentCanada

Ranked Individuals at Fasken (5)

Nationwide - Canada

Members

Provided by Fasken

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership