ADVANT Altana houses an experienced team which handles the full spectrum of issues relating to international healthcare class actions and IP protection, enforcement, and registration. The group, jointly led by Armand Aviges and Jean-Nicolas Soret, is also acts in high-profile patent infringement actions concerning generics. Aviges is known for representing both domestic and international pharma companies in product liability disputes involving serial claims. Soret has a great deal of expertise advising biotech and medtech players on multijurisdictional private M&A. Gilles Gaillard regularly assists start-ups with a range of corporate financing issues, including joint ventures and partnerships.

Dechert LLP houses a ‘dynamic’ team which advises a number of notable clients, including Roche and Sofinnova. The group displays ‘great’ expertise when handling a broad range of issues, including financings, cases against the French Competition Authority, and the IP aspects of transactions. Alain Decombe and Mélanie Thill-Tayara jointly head the practice. Decombe is known for his deep corporate expertise which spans the negotiation and structuring of share deals, and corporate reorganisations. Thill-Tayara has ample knowledge of antitrust and competition issues, having acted in numerous abuse of dominance and cartel disputes before both EU and French courts. Regulatory specialist Sophie Pelé frequently assists clients with public law-related issues, including contentious market access matters before the administrative supreme court in France.

Jointly led by the ‘attentive, extremely professional’ Jean-Marc Grosperrin, Julien Le Guyader, and Anne-Laure Marcerou, the team at Dentons handles the full gamut of issues in life sciences for its diverse client list, including Panasonic, Pfizer, and Laboratoires Servier. Grosperrin is particularly adept at advising global pharma corporations on domestic and cross-border M&A and private equity transactions, while Marcerou is noted for her deep knowledge of the structuring and negotiation of transactions involving biotech and medtech companies. Le Guyader regularly handles market access mandates and issues concerning international tax law. Having joined the team in February 2023 from Dechert LLP, Jessica Garestier exhibits vast regulatory expertise, particularly in relation to market access, promotion, and health product compliance. Pascale Poupelin is a key name of note within the practice, particularly for market access matters.

Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP houses a team which is known for its ‘broad and deep’ experience in contentious life sciences mandates, and its ‘very strong’ expertise in market access issues, data management and protection matters relating to clinical trials, and product liability claims. Notable clients include Eli Lilly, Merck & Co., and GE Healthcare. Practice head Mikael Salmela is noted for his longstanding expertise in handling regulatory assessments and M&A, in addition to product launches and supply transactions. Charlotte Damiano frequently acts for large pharma companies in both contentious and non-contentious matters involving pricing and reimbursement, negotiations with the French health authorities, and the financial regulations governing pharma products.

The ‘competent, trustworthy’ team at McDermott Will & Emery AARPI leverages the firm’s international network to act for a lucrative client base of medical device manufacturers, digital health companies, and investment funds. The group is particularly adept at advising on licensing agreements and partnerships, M&A, and the IP aspects of transactions. Practice head Emmanuelle Trombe is noted for her expansive transactional expertise, regularly advising both French and American biopharma and medical device clients on divestitures and joint ventures. Anthony Paronneau has deep knowledge spanning a broad range of commercial matters, including series funding rounds, fundraisings within the biotech sector, and strategic alliances.

Viguié Schmidt & Associés is known for exhibiting deep bench strength in handling M&A and disputes, including insider trading investigations, marketing authorisation-related issues, and product liability matters involving vaccines. Praised by clients for his ‘very detailed’ knowledge, practice co-head Etienne Gouesse maintains a litigation focused practice, advising numerous pharma companies on pre-litigation strategy and representing clients before administrative and commercial courts. Co-head Iñaki Saint-Esteben is known for his deep knowledge of competition law, regularly advising clients on merger control and indemnification requests.

With previous experience as French and European patent attorneys, Grégoire Desrousseaux and François Pochart co-lead the ‘professional, available and involved’ practice at August Debouzy. The group frequently represents generic and biosimilar manufacturers, and clients with patented pharma products in contentious matters, with notable clients including Teva, Nipro, and Fresenius Kabi. Desrousseaux regularly represents both French and international clients in FRAND arbitrations and litigation concerning employee inventions, in addition to advising on co-ownership agreements. Pochart acts for clients in patent disputes, and EPO litigation, and opposition before the French IP office (INPI).

The team at Bird & Bird handles a myriad of issues for its lucrative client base, which notably includes Novo Nordisk, Moon Surgical, and Dexcom. Practice co-head Emmanuelle Porte has deep knowledge spanning a broad range of corporate matters, advising numerous medtech, biotech, and healthcare clients. Co-head Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan is recognised for her longstanding specialism in IP, particularly in relation to patent litigation within the pharma industry. Alexandre Vuchot has a great deal of transactional expertise, often assisting medtech and pharma companies with clinical research, distribution contracts, and procurement arrangements.

The ‘responsive and professional’ team at Clifford Chance exhibits skill across a broad range of areas, including M&A, allegations of abuse of dominance, and employment disputes concerning claims of employer negligence. The group advises a number of notable clients, including Cinven, Sofinnova Partners, and Teva Santé. All co-leading the team, Thomas Baudesson has longstanding expertise in product liability litigation; David Tayar regularly advises clients on merger control investigations, and restrictive arrangements; Dominique Laymand maintains a compliance and ethics focused practice; and Olivier Gaillard focuses on commercial contracts and consumer law issues.

De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés houses a broad team which handles the full range of issues concerning competition law, IT, and data protection within life sciences. The team regularly appears before the French administrative courts and the French Competition Authority in disputes concerning marketing authorisations and allegations of abuse of dominant position. Jean-Marie Job, Cécile Théard-Jallu, and Francine Le Péchon-Joubert co-lead the practice. Job is particularly well-versed in mandates involving IT contracts, and both personal and commercial data management. Théard-Jallu is noted for her broad expertise in clinical research projects and technology transfers, while Le Péchon-Joubert regularly advises on trademark portfolio management and joint ventures.

DLA Piper leverages its international strength to represent its diverse client base, which notably includes Pierre Fabre and Pfizer. Practice head Sonia De Kondserovsky is known for her broad, longstanding expertise, advising on a range of mandates involving clinical trials and industrial agreements, and the transfer of marketing authorisations. Leading the firm’s IP practice, Frank Valentin acts in an array of drug and medical device-related patent disputes. Denise Lebeau-Marianna regularly assists international healthcare and biotech companies with data protection compliance in relation to clinical trials and telemedicine projects. Marion Abecassis acts for a number of key clients in the healthcare space, including contract research organisations and innovative medtech companies.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is known for its ‘very good’ knowledge of a broad spectrum of issues, advising a varied client roster of dedicated funds, pharma, and medtech and biotech companies. The group exhibits expertise in a whole host of areas, including distribution and marketing, and dealings with the FCA. Raphaëlle Dequiré-Portier primarily focuses on patent and trade mark disputes in France, and across Europe. IP specialist Emmanuel Larere regularly acts in patent disputes, while Arnaud Duhamel has deep transactional expertise, often advising on securities offerings and privatisations. Promoted to partner in July 2023, Paul Jourdan-Nayrac advises various American and European investment funds, and life sciences growth companies.

Primarily based in Paris, the team of ‘true specialists’ at LexCase handles a broad range of contentious and regulatory matters concerning product liability and health authority decisions. Praised by clients for her ‘unparalleled and in-depth’ healthcare experience, practice co-head Diane Bandon-Tourret is known for her longstanding experience in advising medical device manufacturers and pharma companies on both contentious and non-contentious regulatory matters; while co-head Raphaël Apelbaum advises clients on a range of public health issues, including government audits and public health agency inspections. Working out of the Marseille office, Alain de Belenet is particularly skilled at handling hospital public procurement, and M.A and CE marking-related work, and Maxime Büsch has vast knowledge of litigation concerning public procurement contracts. Victoire Storksen acts for numerous healthcare product manufacturers and distributors in compliance related mandates.

Marta Giner-Asins leads the team at Norton Rose Fulbright, which advises a diverse client base of biological laboratories, healthcare providers, and international pharma companies. The group handles a number of mandates, including drug market access and pricing, and anti-gift-related matters relating to hospital partnerships. Giner-Asins is noted for her antitrust expertise, having represented numerous pharma companies before both French and European competition Authorities, and in dawn raids. Technology and IP specialist Nadège Martin is noted for her expertise in the creation of health data lakes, in addition to regulatory compliance with CNIL standards, while Christian Dargham handles product liability disputes and investigations. Marion Roquette-Pfister left the firm in early 2024.

Praised for its ‘exceptional quality’, the practice at Winston & Strawn LLP advises a varied client roster consisting of professional organisations, investors into the healthcare sector, and networks of healthcare practitioners. Exhibiting deep transactional expertise, the team regularly advises on private equity investments, corporate issues, and M&A. Practice co-head Gilles Bigot acts for a number of different players in French and European healthcare markets, including laboratories, medical equipment manufacturers, and health institutions in corporate matters. Co-head Julie Vern Cesano-Gouffrant has a great deal of experience in handling both regulatory and transactional matters, including recapitalisations and leveraged buyouts.

BCTG Avocats houses a broad team which exhibits deep bench strength across a variety of areas, including distribution strategy, patent infringement actions concerning generics, and partnership contracts. The practice is jointly led by Hugues Villey-Desmeserets, François Dauba, and Gaëlle Bloret-Pucci. Villey-Desmeserets has a great deal of knowledge spanning the drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts and competition related issues, regularly appearing before the FCC and the General Directorate for Fair Trading, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF). Bloret-Pucci is an experienced litigator, maintaining an IP and IT focused practice, while Dauba assists clients with sales policy structures and distribution digital transformations.

The team at Goodwin maintains its strong reputation for providing ‘high quality’ advice to a broad client base, which notably includes Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Sofinnova Partners, and Kiro. Practice head Anne-Charlotte Rivière is noted for her longstanding expertise in M&A, venture capital, and private equity related issues, having advised on fundraisings and series financing deals. Leading the firm’s IP practice, Marie Fillon is particularly adept at advising on manufacturing and distribution agreements, and R&D. Xavier Leroux joined the team in July 2023 from Bird & Bird, bringing his wealth of expertise in technology.

Leveraging their European network of offices, Jones Day acts for its lucrative client base on a broad range of IP disputes and transactions. The group regularly advises on IPOs, M&A, and disputes concerning patent infringements and license agreement breaches. Practice co-head and environmental law specialist Françoise Labrousse maintains a strong reputation for handling contentious matters. Co-head Renaud Bonnet is known for his deep knowledge of private equity related issues, and for advising a broad array of technology and life sciences clients, and investors.

The team at Latham & Watkins, praised for its ‘in-depth’ sector knowledge, particularly in relation to innovative technology in the medtech and biotech sectors. Praised by clients for her ‘mastery’ of EU regulation, Eveline Van Keymeulen heads the practice. Having deep knowledge spanning CBD regulatory issues, Van Keymeulen is well-placed to advise clients on cross-border regulatory matters. Jeanne Fabre advises numerous global biotech, medical device, and pharma companies on an array of regulatory issues, including market access, post-market obligations, and clinical trials.

The group at Magenta exhibits deep expertise in competition law, particularly in relation to the distribution of medical devices and pharma products. Gaël Hichri leads the team; praised by clients for his ‘perfect’ knowledge of life sciences specific competition matters, Hichri regularly acts for clients in cases concerning vertical restraints and anticompetitive practices. Benjamin Jothy joined the team from Norton Rose Fulbright in April 2023, contributing his experience in negotiations with government authorities concerning reimbursement registration and early access programs.

The team at Taylor Wessing handles an array of matters involving market access schemes, the marketing of orphan drugs, and clinical trial agreements. Practice head and specialist in commercial and competition law Friedel Evelyne advises on merger notifications and acquisitions, often appearing before the European Commission. Marc Schuler maintains an IT-focused practice, in addition to assisting clients with the IP aspects of transactions, while Anne-Juliette De Zaluski predominantly advises on M&A and private equity transactions.

The team at Bignon Lebray regularly assists clients with IP agreements, including licenses and series fundraisings, in addition to representing clients in disputes concerning SPC infringements and unfair competition claims. Working out of the Lyon office, practice head Barbara Bertholet handles the full gamut of IP issues for pharma laboratories, medical device manufacturers, and stakeholders in the e-health sector.

Ginestié Magellan Paley-Vincent houses a broad practice which acts for a diverse range of clients, including pharma and medical laboratories, medical repatriation companies, and start-ups focused on innovation. Nathalie Boudet-Gizardin heads the practice; Boudet-Gizardin’s primary area of focus is assisting healthcare professionals with all aspects of their contracts with health organisations, in addition to representing them in disciplinary and criminal proceedings.

Jasper Avocats handles a diverse range of mandates involving medico-social regulations, regularly representing clients before civil and criminal courts. Practice co-head Olivier Saumon is well-known for representing state compensation funds and health professionals’ associations in disputes, while co-head Céline Roquelle-Meyer handles a broad range of issues, including restructurings and the drafting of professional practice contracts. Jean-François Laigneau is noted for his varied expertise in medical liability, and the regulations governing medical devices and medicinal products.

LERINS handles an array of commercial and regulatory issues for clients, including M&A and reorganisations, and contracts between clinics and practitioners. ‘Strategist and conductor’ Luc Castagnet leads the team, acting for a diverse range of clients, including investment funds, private healthcare bodies, and practitioners. Castagnet is noted for his expertise in real estate matters within the healthcare sector. Marguerite Brac de la Perriere left the team in 2023.

Praised for their ‘incredible’ commercial sense, Osborne Clarke’s team regularly assists clients with medical waste management regulations, and ethics related mandates. Practice head Thomas Devred handles a vast range of issues, including regulatory licenses, supply chain issues, and promotional matters. Justine Pellerin is known for her broad commercial expertise, particularly in relation to commercial relationships and internal investigations. Léa Masson-Boukobza joined the team in April 2023, contributing her experience in advising medical device and pharma companies on anti-gift rules and clinical trials.

Carole Sportes and Valérie Ravit jointly lead the team at Squire Patton Boggs, regularly handling a variety of product liability disputes, often acting for insurers and pharma companies. The team represents clients in criminal trials and investigations, whilst assisting with technical investigations.

UGGC Avocats is noted for its broad practice which spans the full spectrum of contentious and regulatory healthcare issues. The group regularly advises on the commercialisation of medical devices and medicines, including labelling issues and product composition. Practice head Sylvie Welsch primarily focuses on disputes involving medical liability, and non-contentious matters concerning health product advertising and distribution. Malka Marcinkowski is particularly adept at advising on pharma laboratories and medical device manufacturers on antitrust investigations and the regulations governing health products.