Life sciences in Brazil

Highlighted for its ‘in-depth technical knowledge‘ and the ‘availability of senior partners and associates‘, Pinheiro Neto Advogados maintains a busy life sciences department, which is equipped to advise clients across all relevant sub-sectors, from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics to medical devices. The department’s extensive regulatory expertise sees it providing advice on biodiversity, advanced therapy and sanitary protocols, and the team has also been particularly busy assisting clients on matters relating to Covid-19 and immunisation. The firm’s leading corporate and M&A practice, combined with its life sciences specialism, also makes it well placed to advise on corporate transactions in the sector. Angela Kung, a co-founder of the firm’s well-established life sciences practice, is highly regarded for her expertise in this field. Healthcare law specialist Théra van Swaay de Marchi and senior associate Nicole Aun, whose expertise spans compliance, regulation, data protection and IP, are also names to note. Associate Júlia de Castro Kesselring left in June 2021.

The dedicated life sciences and healthcare practice at Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados strikes a 'perfect balance between full knowledge of the industry and client needs'. As part of one of Brazil's leading full-service firms, the life sciences group benefits from cooperation with the corporate and IP departments. The firm's presence in London and New York is another advantage for the practice, which has a strong international focus and large client base of multinationals. In addition to major pharma companies, the team has also recently been supporting clients in other sectors with complex life sciences regulatory matters in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Other recent work keeping the team busy includes advising on clinical research, digital health initiatives, sanitary and ethical regulations and litigation. Also of note is the firm's well-established pro bono programme; recently, the firm has provided pro bono legal advice to hospitals and a temporary hospital facility. Key practitioners Ana Cândida Sammarco and associate Renata Rothbarth are 'highly skilled in complex matters'. Maria Fernanda de Almeida Prado e Silva and associate Caroline Aguiar Malatesta are also noted. The department was further strengthened in September 2021 with the arrival of life sciences expert Gustavo Swenson.

'Excellent professional' Benny Spiewak leads the practice at specialised life sciences firm SPLaw. The firm's already extensive client base of major pharmaceutical companies continues to grow; among its new clients are Daiichi Sankyo, Cellera Farma and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In addition, the firm is also sought by companies in other industries for advice on health and life sciences matters. The firm is particularly strong in complex, non-contentious regulatory matters and has recently provided advice on a range of issues including marketing authorisation for new food and medicinal products, drug pricing, clinical trials and regulatory compliance programmes. Daniela Jambor and Gabriela Ongari are names to note at the senior associate level. Gustavo Swenson left the firm in September 2021.

The life sciences department at Demarest Advogados is 'highly qualified, updated and always on hand, even in times of crisis'. It balances a broad practice in the life sciences field, with expertise covering medicine, biotechnology, healthcare, cosmetics, animal health, e-cigarettes and nutrition. Camila Biral is well versed in both contentious and non-contentious matters; Claudio Mattos and Marina Zago are other key practitioners in the team. The firm is also gaining recognition for its diversity and inclusion initiatives, with one client commenting that 'the office is very innovative and in terms of diversity leads several initiatives that inspire and serve as an example for everyone'.

'Proactive in bringing solutions', Kasznar Leonardos Intellectual Property acts for a client base of pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics, agribusiness and medical devices companies, and has notable experience in representing clients in proceedings before the Ministry of Health and Anvisa. Although the firm is well known for its IP expertise, it has also developed an impressive regulatory life sciences practice; the firm has demonstrated its investment in this area through the promotion of two dedicated life sciences practitioners – Priscila Kashiwabara and Aline Ferreira – in recent years. The highly regarded Anderson Ribeiro is another key practitioner in this field; associates Matheus Montecasciano and Lucas Calabria also attract praise.

Licks Attorneys 'combines technical and legal knowledge, with professionals from interdisciplinary backgrounds'. Led by experienced partners Otto Licks and Eduardo Hallak, the team benefits from the input of its in-house chemists, pharmacists, scientists and patent specialists. The department has also seen recent growth, with the promotion of several associates – including Juliana Neves, Ricardo Campello and Roberto Rodrigues – to the partnership. Its client base has also expanded, with new clients including CropLife Brasil and Silimed. The firm excels in patent litigation, and is also well versed in technology transfers, procurement, bidding processes and regulatory matters. Biotechnology and crop protection specialist Viviane Kunisawa also receives praise.

With 'excellent technical and pragmatic expertise', the life sciences group at TozziniFreire Advogados combines its experience in regulatory and transactional matters to advise on a broad range of issues. Among the areas covered are clinical research, regulation, drug pricing, data privacy, export and import issues and life sciences compliance. In addition, the team is equipped to represent clients in administrative and judicial proceedings. The firm is renowned for its innovation and diversity initiatives, and also stands out for its active pro bono practice. In a recent highlight, the firm dedicated 160 pro bono hours to the IDDD (Institute for the Defense of the Right to Defense) in a public civil action concerning health and sanitation matters in São Paulo's prisons. In a major development, former practice head Elysangela de Oliveira Rabelo Maurer left the firm in June 2021. However, Marco Aurélio Torronteguy remains a key contact; he is 'highly technical, engaged, committed to solutions and attentive'. Senior associate Victor Hugo Callejon Avallone is another active member of the team.

The multi-disciplinary life sciences team at Felsberg Advogados acts for healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, and is also a popular choice for clients in the food and beverage sector. Among its areas of expertise are the Brazilian regulatory framework, sanctioning proceedings before Anvisa and other health agencies, product registration and advertising, and life sciences compliance and corporate ethics. Life sciences, public law and regulatory specialist Marianne Albers is 'an outstanding adviser, with a very strong knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry'. IP expert Diego Vieira is another key contact.

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados fields a multi-disciplinary group of lawyers to assist life sciences companies on regulation, litigation and corporate and commercial transactions. In other work, the team has also been providing advice to clients on the development of cannabis and tobacco products. Regulatory and administrative law experts Ana Karina Esteves de Souza and Laura Garcia de Freitas Souza jointly lead the team, which includes dispute resolution, consumer law and product liability specialist Gláucia Coelho.

Leading pharmaceutical companies turn to the life sciences team at Zeigler Advogados for advice on clinical research, consumer protection, R&D and commercial agreements. Recently, the team has been kept particularly busy advising on matters related to Covid-19 vaccines and research. Silvia Zeigler‘s expertise spans regulatory, commercial, IP and food law; she co-heads the department with Gerardo Figueiredo Junior, who balances an equally broad practice, covering economic, administrative, regulatory and food law.