United Kingdom > London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
Index of tables
Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
Leading individuals
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- Dr Malcolm Bates Taylor Wessing LLP
- Grant Castle Covington & Burling LLP
- Trevor Cook Bird & Bird
- Ian Dodds-Smith Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP
- Patrick Duxbury Wragge & Co LLP
- Gerry Kamstra Bird & Bird
- Maria Isabel Manley Bristows
- Charles Mayo Simmons & Simmons
- Marjan Noor Simmons & Simmons
- Sophie Rich Herbert Smith LLP
- Julian Thurston Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP
- Charles Waddell Fasken Martineau LLP
- John Wilkinson Reed Smith
Allen & Overy LLP’s ‘responsive, proactive’ team ‘leaves no stone unturned’. Patent litigator Nicola Dagg, commended for her ‘good judgement and leadership’, is representing Novartis in a cross-border patent dispute with MedImmune concerning its blockbuster sight-saving drug Lucentis. Anna Buscall, who leads the firm’s global life sciences group, advises Pfizer, Biomet, GE Healthcare, UCB and Takeda. Other highlights included advising SSL International on its recommended £2.5bn takeover by Reckitt Benckiser, and Novartis on its $40bn acquisition of a majority stake in Alcon. Huw Evans is ‘particularly skilled in international litigation’, and Mark Ridgeway is also recommended.
Ian Dodds-Smith’s ‘outstanding’ ten-partner group at Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP is universally recognised for its regulatory prowess, and represents most major pharmaceuticals companies. Mandates included acting in judicial reviews involving medicines, medical devices, foods and related products, and high-profile litigation. Along with Alison Brown, Dodds-Smith is representing Sanofi-Aventis in a long-running group action. Tim Frazer advises on EU and competition matters. David Perkins is representing medical devices company Becton, Dickinson and multinationals including Mars. Lincoln Tsang is ‘extremely knowledgeable and accessible’, and Corporate partner Jeremy Willcocks is also recommended.
The ‘exceptional, trusted’ team at Bird & Bird is particularly strong in patent litigation. Mark Hilton represented Actavis against Novartis in the High Court and the Court of Appeal; and practice head Trevor Cook is representing Regeneron. Morag Macdonald wins praise for her ‘responsiveness, business acumen and people skills’. On the transactional front, Simon Fielder and Sally Shorthose, who has ‘formidable knowledge of IP law’, are advising Mumbai-based Elder Pharmaceuticals on its £12.2m acquisition of Neutrahealth; and Angus Miln, who specialises in private equity and VC transactions, advised Tate & Lyle Ventures and Scottish Enterprise on their follow-on financing of Biofilm. Struan Penwarden is ‘solutions driven’. Gerry Kamstra advises on EPO opposition proceedings, and Richard Eccles handles competition matters.
Covington & Burling LLP recruited Paul Claydon, Natalie Diep, James Gubbins and James Halstead from Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP, and compliance specialist Robert Amaee from the Serious Fraud Office, strengthening the group’s ‘comprehensive life sciences offering’. The practice is supported by a broad international footprint and strength in IP and data protection. ‘Strong advisers’ Grant Castle, Richard Kingham and Mike Kingston are advising Merck and Schering Plough on post-merger integration. A ‘tenacious, practical adviser’, Daniel Pavin advised biopharmaceuticals company UCB on a strategic partnership agreement with Synosia Therapeutics, and the ‘thorough, pragmatic’ Lucinda Osborne is also recommended. Product liability specialist Anne Ware joined Kennedys, and Joanna Wheeler joined CMS Cameron McKenna LLP.
Simmons & Simmons’ ‘brilliantly reliable, accessible’ team was strengthened by the arrival of former Howrey LLP partner Marjan Noor, who, together with Scott Parker, is representing Bayer in a patent revocation action against Genentech. Marc Döring advised Bayer Schering Pharma on patents for its blockbuster female oral contraceptive products. London life sciences sector head Charles Mayo advised Chinese state-owned Sinochem Group on its global joint venture with Netherlands-based DSM. Michael Gavey has ‘great depth in assessing risks.’
Taylor Wessing LLP delivers ‘excellent, prompt advice and good value for money’. Practice head Dr Malcolm Bates advised next-generation antibody company f-star on its collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim. Simon Walker, David Mardle and Howard Palmer handle VC work, recently advising Xention on its £8m Series D financing. The firm has particular strength in patent litigation. James Marshall, who ‘really understands the business’, is representing Generics (UK) against Cephalon. Tim Worden heads a strong regulatory practice. Richard Price joined Winston & Strawn London, while Chris Thornham joined from SJ Berwin LLP.
Bristows is strong in patent litigation, with clients including AstraZeneca, and Smith & Nephew. Regulatory practice head Maria Isabel Manley is ‘enthusiastic, pragmatic, and aggressive when needed’. She successfully represented Servier Laboratories in its landmark Court of Appeal case against NICE. Joint practice heads Edward Nodder and Sally Field handle transactional and life cycle management work for Novartis. The ‘knowledgeable, timely, client-oriented’ team was boosted by the recruitment of Dr Sahar Shepperd from Medimmune. Dr Robert Burrows and Dr James Boon have been promoted to partner.
At CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, group head Nick Beckett and commercial partner Sarah Hanson, who is commended for her ‘strong negotiating skills and strategic advice’, advised client Takeda on its €9.6bn acquisition of Nycomed. Competition partner David Marks successfully defended Pfizer. The team was strengthened by the arrival of Jeremy Morton from Fasken Martineau LLP and Joanna Wheeler from Covington & Burling LLP. Shuna Mason is recommended for product liability litigation. The ‘detail-oriented, diligent’ Hannah Curtis is also recommended.
DLA Piper UK LLP’s team is noted for its ‘great turnaround times and healthcare expertise’, and practice head Bonella Ramsay for her ‘strong negotiating skills’. The firm’s national and international strength enable it to advise global clients Pfizer and Wyeth on regulatory, compliance, IP and commercial issues. George Godar and recently promoted Edinburgh partner Philippa Montgomerie handle patent litigation and regulatory matters for Aircraft Medical and Roslin Cells. Caroline Stockwell recently moved to Pfizer.
Fasken Martineau LLP’s clients appreciate practice head Paul Ranson’s ‘strong industry contacts’, and corporate partner David Smith’s ‘sage advice and razor-sharp intellect’. The ‘commercially minded’ Allistair Booth and Gary Howes undertake IP work. In 2010, the team won a raft of new clients, notably Sinclair Pharma, Samsung and Stryker. Ranson and Nigel Gordon represented Alliance Pharma on its complex acquisition of Cambridge Laboratories.
Julian Long leads an ‘excellent, sound’ team at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP. It advised a PE consortium, led by Nordic Capital and Credit Suisse, on the €9.6bn sale of Nycomed to Takeda; and Cinven on the €2.5bn disposal of Phadia to Thermo Fisher Scientific. Justin Watts successfully defended Johnson & Johnson against a patent infringement claim brought by Novartis relating to extended-wear contact lenses.
At Herbert Smith LLP, team head Sophie Rich is ‘second to none’, and advises Abbott on European patent issues concerning blockbuster product Humira. Mark Shillito and Sebastian Moore are co-ordinating Europe-wide patent litigation to protect Eisai’s Aricept and Pariet from generic competitors. Regulatory work includes advising Reckitt Benckiser on the action by the Department of Health. Sanofi-Aventis is a new client.
Hogan Lovells International LLP’s practice has been strengthened by the firm’s recent merger, handling big-ticket deals that leverage its transatlantic presence. Richard Lewis advised Merck on the sale of the Merck BioManufacturing Network to Fujifilm. Stephen Bennett, who is ‘exceptional at complex IP’, represented Medinol and ALK-Abelló in patent revocation actions, and is one of only three law firm members of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry’s Intellectual Property Expert Network. Key clients include Eli Lilly, Merck, Baxter and BMS.
Linklaters LLP provides ‘excellent, commercial advice’. Nigel Jones, who jointly heads the global healthcare team, is advising Janssen-Cilag in a patent revocation action against Bayer Healthcare. Ian Karet successfully represented Tate & Lyle in patent litigation proceedings against Roquette relating to the naturally derived sweetener Maltitol.
Olswang’s ‘responsive, practical, knowledgeable’ team is strong in VC work, with team head Stephen Reese and Stephen Rosen recently advising on the establishment of Convergence Pharmaceuticals, which involved a $35.4m Series A financing. The breadth of the team’s capabilities is illustrated by its work for biopharmaceuticals company Kymab, which includes venture capital, licensing and patent prosecution work. Dr Robert Stephen advised Vectura Group on its extensive patent portfolio. Other key clients include Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline and the Wellcome Trust.
Powell Gilbert LLP is strong in life sciences patent litigation and parallel trade issues. In the first patent case to be heard by the Supreme Court, qualified scientist Penny Gilbert is representing Human Genome Sciences against Eli Lilly. Tim Powell, who is representing new client BSN Medical in patent litigation brought by Mölnlycke Health Care, is noted for his ‘ability to co-ordinate multinational litigation’ and ‘find practical, cost-effective solutions’. Former barrister Anna Carboni advises pharmaceuticals companies on trade mark issues.
Reed Smith’s team acts for the likes of ALK-Abello, Norgine, Orexo and Cellzome. Giles Beale and ‘outstanding deal negotiator’ Nicola Maguire worked with US partners advising Proximagen on its recommended cash offer for Minster Pharmaceuticals and associated grant of a licence to Upsher-Smith Laboratories. The ‘commercially realistic’ Paul Llewellyn provides ‘good, clear, timely advice’, and practice head John Wilkinson is a ‘truly outstanding lawyer’.
SJ Berwin LLP’s team, led by top IP litigator David Rose, is ‘a pleasure to work with on complex matters’. On the commercial front, Jeremy Schrire, who ‘always looks for the commercial way forward’, advised Mylan and Teva in relation to well-known medical devices; and Andrew Shindler represented NicOx on a worldwide licensing agreement with Bausch & Lomb. Competition partners Stephen Kon and Cameron Firth acted for Synthon in bringing a claim against the MHRA following the ECJ’s decision. Contentious highlights included representing Ranbaxy in a patent revocation case against AstraZeneca relating to blockbuster drug Nexium, led by the ‘responsive, reliable’ Ray Black and the ‘thorough, sharp’ Chris Thornham, who recently moved to Taylor Wessing LLP.
Wragge & Co LLP recruited Paul Inman from Howrey LLP and Dipti Dashore from the Health Protection Agency. The ‘top-notch’ team wins plaudits for its ‘industry knowledge and professionalism on the corporate finance and licensing sides’. Practice head and ‘responsive, effective communicator’ Patrick Duxbury advised PanGenetics on the $190m disposal of its PG110 programme to Abbott. The firm is strong in patent litigation and regulatory work, with Dr Luke Kempton commended for his ‘scientific understanding’. Corporate partner Kevin Jones advised new client Bioline group on its $23.3m cross-border acquisition by Meridian Bioscience.
Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s John Kelleher is defending GlaxoSmithKline in a group litigation order relating to Seroxat, one of 2011’s leading cases on the application of the Consumer Protection Act to pharmaceutical products.
At Ashurst LLP, ‘calm, efficient’ practice head Mark Lubbock advised Candover Investment on Candover Partners’ €1.2bn sale of Ontex to Goldman Sachs PIA and TPG Capital. Anthony Clare led a team advising Silence Therapeutics on the reverse takeover of Intradigm. Product liability specialist Arundel McDougall is defending Sanofi-Aventis in Competition Appeal Tribunal proceedings. Dominic Batchelor has ‘good knowledge of the sector’.
Baker & McKenzie LLP’s global footprint enables it to handle complex cross-border transactions. Practice head Jane Hobson has been advising CareFusion on the $130m disposal of its International Surgical Products business to Medline. Keith Jones specialises in competition litigation. Michelle Blunt and Sunny Mann were promoted to partner. Commercial and regulatory partner Paul Melling has moved to the firm’s Moscow office.
Davies Arnold Cooper LLP’s leading product liability defence practice, headed by Simon Pearl, is representing AstraZeneca Insurance Company in claims arising in connection with Seroquel. Other new instructions relate to clinical trials and medical devices. Alison McAdams, who handles liability and regulatory work, was instructed in the Northwick Park Clinical Trial claims.
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP recruited Ben Goodger from Rouse Legal, Shawn Atkinson from Kirkland & Ellis International LLP, and Niall McAlister from CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, and promoted John Lloyd to the partnership. Mandates included patent, licensing and regulatory work, as well as commercial agreements and corporate transactions for clients including Dynasil, Oak Group and Stratophase. David Ramm’s ‘in-depth knowledge and experience is second to none’.
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s ‘consistent, co-ordinated’ team is recognised for its EU patent litigation capability and expertise in medical devices. The ‘responsive, user-friendly’ Alison Dennis is advising Abbott on procurement and competition law. New clients include Volcano. Matthew Lohn is recommended for healthcare regulation. The practice was strengthened by the arrival of Mark Hodgson from Howrey LLP, who is representing Eli Lilly in the first IP case to be heard in the Supreme Court.
Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP’s ‘outstanding biotechnology practice’ lost Paul Claydon, Natalie Diep, James Gubbins and James Halstead to Covington & Burling LLP. Well-respected commercial partner Julian Thurston advised Danish antibodies company Affitech on research and development collaboration with Russian NauchTekhStroy Plus, and CellCentric on the exclusive out-licensing of a significant epigenetic programme.
Recent work for Nabarro LLP includes representing Abbott and the European-based inventors of biologic blockbuster drug Humira in the world’s largest patent action. Guy Heath wins praise for his ‘excellent negotiation skills and subject matter expertise’, and recently promoted partner Eesheta Shah is also recommended. Other clients include ratiopharm and GlaxoSmithKline. Patent litigator Jonathan Radcliffe joined Mayer Brown International LLP.
Clare Tunstall and her patent litigation team joined Pinsent Masons LLP from Roiter Zucker Solicitors. Commended for its ‘business acumen and industry knowledge’, the team wins instructions from public and private sector clients including AstraZeneca and Teva Pharmaceuticals. The corporate team acts for life sciences venture capital funds.
At Slaughter and May, corporate partner David Johnson advised GlaxoSmithKline on the £162m acquisition of Maxinutrition, and Robert Stern advised Shire on its acquisition of Movetis. Head of IP Susie Middlemiss advises major pharma and cutting-edge biotech companies on licensing and partnership issues and contentious IP matters.
Dechert LLP specialises in big-ticket transactions and corporate partnering, recently representing Biocon in a $350m licensing and supply agreement with Pfizer. Lead partner Graham Defries advised PanGenetics on the $190m sale of a chronic pain compound to Abbott as part of a demerger. Clients appreciate David Schulman’s ‘in-depth knowledge of the healthcare industry’.
Led by Janet Knowles, Eversheds LLP’s ‘prompt, thorough’ team is advising Reckitt Benckiser on the OFT investigation into Gaviscon. It also acts for mid-market client IS Pharma, start-ups Oxyrane and Pro-Cure Therapeutics, major names GSK and Pfizer, and overseas companies operating in Europe, such as Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The firm was recently appointed to the panel of Novo Nordisk. Nicola Holmes is ‘bright and hardworking’.
At Jones Day, competition partner Frances Murphy is representing AstraZeneca before the European courts in relation to the application of Article 102 to the pharmaceuticals sector. Together with Stephen Brown, she represented Sanofi-Aventis in High Court actions concerning alleged anti-competitive activity.
Rebecca Halford-Harrison at K&L Gates is recommended for her strong scientific understanding and ‘practical, commercial approach’. She advises clients including Neuralsteam on IP and patents. Stuart Borrie has a strong transactional and VC practice, representing investors in the life sciences sector.
Latham & Watkins LLP combines a strong corporate practice with industry and scientific expertise. ‘Strong, decisive, and highly intelligent’ patent litigator Laurence Cohen is representing ConvaTec against Smith & Nephew and Speciality Fibres. The firm’s global presence enables the London team, which includes well-respected IP partner Gail Crawford, to handle multibillion-dollar mandates for Guthy-Renker, Norgine and Orchid Europe.
Life sciences boutique Lawford Davies Denoon is recommended for its ‘impressively high-quality work and good understanding of the industry’. It successfully represented the UK Health Protection Agency in a complex judicial review brought by the manufacturer of a medical device. Alexander Denoon is ‘extremely good at providing to-the-point advice’. James Lawford Davies, ‘an expert in IVF’, is advising the ARGC and Mr Mohamed Taranissi.
Mayer Brown International LLP’s cross-practice group, which was boosted by lateral hire Jonathan Radcliffe from Nabarro LLP, represented Mölnlycke in a high-profile patent revocation action. Clare Canning defended BASF against a cartel damages action related to vitamins pricing. Sangeeta Puran was promoted to partner, while Ian Wood joined Charles Russell LLP.
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP’s ‘absolutely superb’ team is strong in patent litigation, and regulatory and transactional work. Practice head Hiroshi Sheraton is representing longstanding client Novartis against GSK Biologicals and SmithKline Beecham in patent litigation regarding vaccine production methods, and CibaVision against Johnson & Johnson. Gary Moss advised Amgen in two significant SPC cases. The ‘approachable, friendly and knowledgeable’ Rohan Massey has particular expertise in clinical trials. The team was strengthened by the arrival of Mats Sacklén from White & Case LLP.
Martyn Hann at Mishcon de Reya is ‘a formidable negotiator’ who understands ‘pharmaceuticals, medical devices and the regulatory environment’. He is representing all three defendants in a patent infringement case concerning Orasure’s cryogenic treatment for warts and verrucas.
Morgan Lewis’ team, headed by regulatory and commercial partner Anthony Warnock-Smith, is strong in regulatory work. It recently advised ViroPharma on a £20m acquisition.
Norton Rose LLP ‘always provides excellent candidates/teams for the job’. It advised Nestlé on its acquisition of CM&D Pharma. Jonathan Ball, who ‘manages complex problems calmly and efficiently’, worked with the firm’s Australian office on a worldwide licensing deal, and advised Dey Pharma in patent litigation against Teva. Commercial IP partner Mike Knapper advises on patent licensing in the R&D sphere. GSK is a significant new client.
Osborne Clarke’s practice is headed by the ‘pragmatic, knowledgable and approachable’ Janita Good, who is advising Mitsubishi Pharma Europe. It also advised Quintile on its first UK public sector tender for Phase 1 clinical trials. The team, which is noted for its ‘good industry knowledge, responsive, and value for money’, is advising NVM Private Equity on its life sciences portfolio, and recruited patent litigator Clare Nicholson from Linklaters LLP.
Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP recruited Clive Thorne from Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP, who is acting for Apimed Medical Honey in a significant patent infringement claim. Other clients include EvaluatePharma, Comvita and Asubio Pharma. Patent litigator Andrew Hobson is commended for his ‘impressive knowledge and timely market experience’. Dorothy Flower advises on regulatory matters and clinical trials.
Rouse Legal’s ‘energetic young team’ is led by Diana Sternfeld, and is commended for its ‘good analytical skills’. Patent litigator Richard Willoughby joined from Howrey LLP. Chris Aikens is also singled out for praise. Key clients include GSK, Merck, Medeva and BTG.
Sidley Austin LLP’s cross-practice group focuses on key pharma clients, notably Cephalon, GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer. Recently promoted partner David Went is recommended for corporate advice; William Long and Brett Rowland for regulatory advice; and Dorothy Cory-Wright for litigation and product liability work.
At Squire Sanders Hammonds, qualified pharmacist Adrian Spooner is commended for his ‘depth of technical knowledge’, and advises on regulatory and IP matters, including clinical trials. Carl Rohsler and his team advise on corporate and commercial matters, including IP rights and healthcare marketing matters. Vitabiotics is a key client.
Stephenson Harwood’s strong transactional team acted for BTG on its £177m acquisition of Biocompatibles, and Mumbai-listed Piramal Healthcare on the $3.72bn sale of its domestic formulations division to Abbot Healthcare. Leading figure Andrew Edge joined from Ashurst LLP.