Life Sciences | Asia-Pacific

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune has a pre-eminent practice highly proficient in advising Japanese and international pharmaceutical companies on M&A and joint ventures. The firm is equally skilled in working on contentious patent infringement and invalidation claims, and has a proven track record in providing assistance with licensing and distribution agreements, alongside regulatory matters in the medical device and pharmaceutical spaces. The team also provides advisory services to life sciences clients on competition and consumer law matters, such as advice on the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations. Its key clients include Cyfuse and Nichii Holdings.

Hogan Lovells is highly sought after to act on patent infringement, invalidation and licensing matters. The firm is also adept in assisting clients with cross-border regulatory issues and patent term extensions, regularly assisting both domestic and international pharmaceutical clients. It draws on the expertise of its lawyers in medical and molecular sciences, as well as in biochemistry, to advise companies on both inbound and outbound life sciences matters. The team also offers expertise in commercial matters and handles licensing, supply and commercialisation agreements, and leverages its global network to provide international coverage.

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu excels in advising key domestic and international pharmaceutical, healthcare and medical device companies on corporate transactions, including acquisitions and business integrations, alongside merger controls. The firm is skilled in advising on areas such as regulatory regimes and patent protection together with licensing and distribution agreements. Its clients additionally benefit from the firm's practice in related areas such as corporate, finance and IP, and the team is well placed to provide advice to major life sciences corporations in relation to crisis management. Some of its key clients are Aculys Pharma, Data Horizon and Medtronic.

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto combines a strong corporate offering with notable expertise in healthcare law. The firm assists clients with pharmaceutical product and medical device licensing and development, as well as related patent protection, enforcement and litigation mandates. The team is regularly enlisted by leading Japanese and international clients on pharmaceutical and healthcare-related M&A transactions. Its key clients include Johnson & Johnson, Jackson Laboratory and Toa Eiyo.

Morrison Foerster has a substantial team that attracts mandates from major pharmaceutical companies and other corporations engaged in the sector, and especially those relating to cross-border M&A transactions, joint ventures and venture capital. The firm offers advice on IP commercialisation as well as areas such as R&D and patent protection. The team's scope of expertise also includes assisting clients with disputes, with a focus on product liability claims and drug distribution litigation. Notable clients include Chugai Pharmaceutical and Kyowa Kirin.

Abe, Ikubo & Katayama is renowned for its strengths in handling high-stakes domestic patent disputes, and counts a number of major international pharmaceutical companies among its clients. The team is particularly skilled in assisting with High Court appeals and maintains a portfolio of work which also includes patent term extensions and negotiations involving generic companies. It offers additional support in patent prosecution and protection strategy, as well as invalidation actions.

Baker McKenzie advises on a comprehensive range of issues that affect companies operating in the life sciences arena. The team's expertise ranges from transactional, financing and disputes to IP, regulatory and competition matters. It draws upon its global network to assist with multi-jurisdictional licensing transactions and market entry mandates. The team also demonstrates expertise in relation to data privacy, anti-corruption and regulatory licences within the life sciences space.

Jones Day houses a talented group distinguished for the scope of its expertise. The team is proficient in liaising with other offices in dealing with the protection and enforcement of IP assets, especially patents. The firm is also well placed to assist life sciences clients in relation to corporate transactions, and can leverage its global network to assist clients with international matters. Kaken Pharmaceutical and Sanofi are key clients.

Nishimura & Asahi has a well-established practice assisting an international roster of pharmaceutical and medical device companies, as well as academic institutions and major distributors. The firm is especially known for covering cross-border M&A, joint ventures and restructuring matters, alongside advice on regulatory matters and clinical trials. It ably handles IP rights, licensing and compliance issues in the life sciences space and represents clients in contentious matters such as patent infringement disputes. Its key clients include Toyota Tsusho, Bain Capital Private Equity and ORIX.

Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners is an established law firm with a strong presence in Osaka, as well as Tokyo, Nagoya and Shanghai. The firm is noted for its life sciences practice and sought after by both domestic and multinational clients in the pharmaceutical and medical device sector. The team is particulary noted for its experience acting on patent litigation in this sector, including disputes in US courts.

TMI Associates is noted for offering expertise in the pharmaceutical, medical device and technology sectors, with a diverse clientele also including biotech and healthcare companies. The team is frequently instructed on M&A transactions, patent infringement and product liability matters. The firm is also well versed in regulatory matters, including licensing and distribution agreements, as well as clinical trials.

Squire Patton Boggs has an established track record of handling work for Japanese pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology companies. The firm's areas of focus include advising on licensing and development agreements. The team additionally advises both Japanese and international life sciences clients regarding acquisitions and joint ventures in the sector and on related regulatory issues.