Life Sciences & Pharmaceutical Sector (International & Cross-Border)
Global Guide 2024 : USA
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 212 468 8000About
Provided by Morrison Foerster
Morrison & Foerster leads the legal field in representing groundbreaking innovators at the convergence of the life sciences, healthcare, and technology industries. Our team is truly cross-disciplinary with strength across multiple practice areas to counsel clients through every phase of the growth cycle from conception to commercialization and exit, vigilantly protecting and enforcing our clients’ rights in a competitive market. We represent more than 500 private and public life sciences companies, research institutions, and the venture capital funds and investment banks that finance them. Our full service capabilities include emerging company/venture capital, M&A, finance, IP, FDA, privacy, licensing, and litigation.
As a partner to the leading innovators in the life sciences industry, we advise clients around the world. We represent some of the most recognized names in the industry, including more than half of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world and some of the fastest growing startups and innovators in this sector. Our team includes attorneys and patent agents with more than 100 advanced scientific and engineering degrees, including 65 Ph.D.s in life sciences and related engineering disciplines. We have deep experience in technologies such as pharmaceuticals, biosimilars, diagnostics, precision medicines, genomics, gene editing technologies, medical devices, artificial intelligence and machine learning, medicinal chemistry, and vaccines, amongst others.
Chambers Review
Morrison Foerster particularly stands out in the market for its grasp of cross-border work between the US and Asian markets, which is driven by the firm's long-standing investment into its technology sector expertise. The firm is an appealing choice for large corporations and established players invested in areas such as electronics and biopharma and has a particularly strong track record in handling inbound and outbound transactions involving the USA, Japan and China, frequently representing clients on both sides of the Pacific.
The team's international work in the life sciences sector covers a broad range of work. The firm's strong IP practice is frequently called upon by large pharma companies to handle cross-border patent litigation across the EU and Asia and is also noted for work in emerging economies in Africa and Latin America. The firm has also advised on cross-border issues involving data privacy in the sector, commercial agreements related to product licensing and clinical trials and healthcare technology.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"We have done some cross-border projects with Morrison Foerster and the firm is very well versed and experienced in the area."
"Morrison Foerster has been able to draw upon expertise in multiple different jurisdictions and is usually able to bring in loads of different expertise from across the firm."
"Morrison Foerster coordinate all of our global portfolios, know our space very well, listen to our needs and are very flexible. "
"We have done some cross-border projects with Morrison Foerster and the firm is very well versed and experienced in the area."
"Morrison Foerster has been able to draw upon expertise in multiple different jurisdictions and is usually able to bring in loads of different expertise from across the firm."
"Morrison Foerster coordinate all of our global portfolios, know our space very well, listen to our needs and are very flexible. "
Notable Practitioners
Catherine Polizzi maintains a broad practice in the field of intellectual property which encompasses freedom to operate assessments, portfolio management and patent applications, as well as diligence in high-value acquisitions.
"Catherine is very practical, understands business strategy and provides useful input. She has a very good sense of judgement and an ability to identify and point out important and strategic matters. She is also attentive and responsive."
"Catherine has the ability to work closely with and understand our scientists and the highly technical inventions we are developing. She is also always creative in how she helps us to protect our inventions."