Life Sciences: Transactional | UK

Goodwin represents life sciences companies, from startups to large global corporations, in a wide range of transactions. The firm's strengths include joint ventures, acquisitions, licensing and collaboration agreements. The team also has experience handling financing matters for SMEs, with particular expertise in Series B fundraising.

Gowling WLG's sterling commercial life sciences practice is recommended for complex licence, research and collaboration agreements. The firm is excellent for corporate and investment transactions involving spin-offs. It is also recognised for biotech and pharmaceutical patent litigation, including disputes involving applications for SPCs, drawing on the its international presence to provide life sciences expertise across multiple jurisdictions.

A&O Shearman has magic circle corporate resources combined with a deep commitment to the life sciences sector. The team has one of the most formidable patent litigation practices in the UK and Europe, and has recently taken cases before the Supreme Court. It advises on many of the most significant transactions of the day, and the firm draws on its international footprint to handle work in multiple jurisdictions including emerging markets.

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.

CMS' dedicated life sciences practice is recommended for commercial and corporate transactions, and for advice on UK and European regulatory frameworks. The team has the resources to take on the most complex M&A deals and joint ventures, and has additional expertise in product liability matters. The team is experienced in assessing the technical and regulatory challenges at the intersection of life sciences and technology, such as in relation to data mining and diagnostics.

Pinsent Masons has a sophisticated and successful patent litigation practice that is particularly popular with generics manufacturers. The team has experience in representing clients in parallel proceedings before the European Patent Office and the EU Intellectual Property Office. The group is also engaged in life sciences, advising on licensing, M&A deals and securities offerings.

Bird & Bird has one of the finest IP and patent litigation practices in the world, routinely coordinating complex cross-border disputes. It has deep and longstanding involvement in life sciences, with expertise in regulatory and compliance matters and commercial transactions in the sector. The team also advises on IP-led M&A and investment deals.

Latham & Watkins frequently handles high-value acquisitions, investments and capital market transactions on behalf of leading global names in life sciences. It also advises on cross-border licensing transactions.

Taylor Wessing has an excellent transactional practice built on years of commitment to the sector, advising on collaboration, licensing, corporate and venture capital deals. It has a powerful patent litigation offering acting for generics and branded manufacturers that has pioneering experience handling cases involving biosimilar products. The team is also recommended for EPO patent oppositions.