Next Generation Partners

Biotechnology in East Anglia

Goodwin

At Goodwin in Cambridge, ‘the team provides timely, pragmatic and and commercial advice‘ and clients note that the lawyers are ‘accessible, responsive and keen to understand our aims‘. David Mardle has broad expertise in life sciences, technology, M&A, and finance matters; commercial IP specialist Malcolm Bates, who has ‘broad and long experience' in R&D projects and collaboration agreements; and licensing and contracts expert Tim Worden are key to the practice. Worden acted as part of a multinational team to advise Biocon Biologics on its multibillion-dollar acquisition of the global biosimilars business of its partner Viatris Inc. Up-and-coming partner Elizabeth Rhodes handles corporate and venture capital matters for technology and life sciences companies.

Practice head(s):

Malcolm Bates; David Mardle; Tim Worden


Other key lawyers:

Elizabeth Rhodes


Testimonials

‘The team provides timely, pragmatic and and commercial advice on our licensing activities which we find very valuable. They are accessible, responsive and keen to understand our aims during transactions and regularly help us navigate complex scenarios given their knowledge and expertise in the market.’

‘Tim Worden provides us with expert coverage as our key contact as well as high quality, deal-specific advice on our licensing activities. He has pulled in trans-Atlantic resources on deals when we have needed it seamlessly and delivers a really high-quality service.’

‘We work especially with Malcolm Bates. Malcolm’s broad and long experience makes interactions and processes run smoothly and efficiently.’

Key clients

Biocon Biologics


Syndesi Therapeutics


Okrai.ai


Refeyn Limited


Oxford Science Enterprises PLC


Engitix Therapeutics


Synaffix BV


Stalicla SA


Ten Eleven Ventures III, LP


MiroBio Ltd


SV Health Investors


CMR Surgical


Ochre Bio, Inc


Gadeta


Work highlights


  • Advised Biocon Biologics Ltd on its multi-billion-dollar acquisition of the global biosimilars business of its partner Viatris Inc.
  • Advised Synaffix B.V on three license agreements: with Genmab A/S; with Amgen Inc; with Hummingbird Bioscience.
  • Advised Stalicla SA on an in-licensing agreement with Novartis.

Mills & Reeve LLP

In Cambridge, Mills & Reeve LLP houses a multi-disciplinary life sciences practice that advises on transactional issues, patents and IP, and privacy. The 'excellent' James Fry leads the team, and acted for GSK on the spin-off of its consumer health business Haleon plc, having a great deal of expertise in IP licensing and distribution. Fry also notably acts for F-star Therapeutics and NRG Therapeutics. Funds specialist Dona Ardeman, corporate partner Jonathan Greenwood , employment adviser Melanie James and corporate finance expert Zickie Lim are among the key contacts for biotechnology clients.

Practice head(s):

James Fry


Other key lawyers:

Dona Ardeman; Jonathan Greenwood; Melanie James; Zickie Lim


Testimonials

‘Very commercially minded, easy to work with, very flexible and capable.’

‘James Fry is an excellent lawyer.’

Key clients

GSK


PhoreMost


F-star Therapeutics


Calypso Biotech


Sapphiros


NRG Therapeutics


Neurocrine Biosciences


Kadans Science Partners


Kadans Science Partners


Work highlights


  • Advised GSK on the divestment of Haleon plc. The firm assisted with the cloning and renegotiation of hundreds of commercial contracts, ensuring that the new business has continuing supplier arrangements to support it from day 1 of its operation.
  • Advised F-star on its licence and collaboration agreement with Takeda. The agreement which grants licences to Takeda of F-star’s proprietary platform IP relating to the generation of bi-specific antibodies will facilitate research towards the development of a next generation immuno-oncology bispecific antibody.
  • Acted for NRG Therapeutics on its Series A fundraising led by Omega Funds and also including Brandon Capital.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

The Cambridge office of Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP plays a key role in the firm’s life sciences practice, acting for many of the companies based in the local science and technology hub. IP, IT and commercial partner Rachel Bradley, who co-leads the multi-disciplinary group, acted as co-ordinator of the review of all European clinical trial agreements for various different research studies for Applied Molecular Transport, Inc. to govern the clinical trials it is sponsoring across Europe. Employment partner Hilary Aldred and real estate specialist Sarah Coates are key members of the practice.

Practice head(s):

Rachel Bradley


Other key lawyers:

Hilary Aldred; Sarah Coates


Key clients

The Company of Biologists Limited


Applied Molecular Transport, Inc


Fluid Pharma Ltd


Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital


Enterprise Therapeutics


Metrion Biosciences


Abcam PLC


King’s College London


Synox Therapeutics


MitoRx Therapeutics Limited


42 Technology Limited


Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies


Certis Europe B.V.


Birch Tree IP


HutanBio Limited


Flatiron Health, Inc.


Genestack Limited


Work highlights


  • Acting for Applied Molecular Transport, Inc in the review of all European clinical trial agreements. The firm instructed expert local counsel, for multiple clinical studies across Europe, interpreting the advice and seeking instructions from the client’s legal counsel. This project has been on-going for almost 3 years.
  • Advised Fluid Pharma Limited on a co-operation agreement with a contract manufacturer of GMP materials for the development Fluid Pharma’s MicroCoat™ technology. Assisted Fluid Pharma with the drafting and negotiation of the agreement.
  • Advised Flatiron Health, Inc. on the impact of UK data protection, and EU GDPR requirements on Flatiron’s health-tech products.