Firms To Watch: Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences

Studio Legale Astolfi is highly regarded in the legal market for its expertise in pharmaceutical, health and medical devices law. Sonia Selletti is the key contact, handling both disputes and advisory work.
The healthcare and life sciences team at EY TAX & LAW ITALY is headed by experienced partner Aldo Brielli, who advises biotechs, research institutions, laboratories, healthcare institutions, and medical device and pharmaceutical companies on a broad spectrum of legal matters.

Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences in Italy

Bird & Bird

Bird & Bird‘s international life sciences and healthcare group advises a sizeable number of the world’s largest pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical devices companies. The practice is jointly led by renowned IP litigators Giovanni Galimberti and Massimiliano Mostardini. Other highly regarded practitioners are Italy corporate head Alberto Salvadè, chemical sector specialist Antonella De Gregori, and public law leader Simone Caddedu. The team also features transactions expert Afra Casiraghi and Claudia Ricciardi, who acts for companies and research institutes, along with key counsel Mauro Turrini and senior associate Evelina Marchesoni.

Practice head(s):

Giovanni Galimberti; Massimiliano Mostardini

Other key lawyers:

Alberto Salvadè; Antonella De Gregori; Simone Caddedu; Afra Casiraghi; Claudia Ricciardi; Mauro Turrini; Evelina Marchesoni

Testimonials

Deep knowledge of the life sciences industry.

Quality advice is always provided.

Great availability and very cost efficient.

Key clients

Doctolib

Heska Corporation

IRBM

Mylan

Promidis/CNCCS

San Raffaele Hospital

San Donato Group

Sandoz

Viprof

Work highlights

  • Advised Gruppo San Donato on the creation of strategic commercial partnerships with consultancy companies for the implementation of COVID security protocols.
  • Advised the transferors (San Raffaele Hospital, IRBM and INGM) on the agreement for the sale to Antios Therapeutics of patents for fourth generation HBV capsid assembly modulators.
  • Advised Doctolib, a French unicorn, on its participation in a tendering procedure launched by Consip for the assignment of application and support services in the digital health sector.

BonelliErede

BonelliErede‘s multidisciplinary healthcare and life sciences department houses both pharmaceutical and biomedical market specialists. The practice’s coverage includes advising on the initial product development stages, clinical trials, and managing relationships with the regulatory authorities to obtain commercial authorisations. Of counsel and team leader Vincenzo Salvatore is ‘the most experienced lawyer in Italy for pharmaceuticals work‘. Partner support is provided by Andrea Carta Mantiglia, Giovanni GuglielmettiClaudio Tesauro and Sara Lembo. At associate level, Giuseppe Ragucci specialises in regulatory and compliance matters, while Elettra Gaspari‘s practice includes pharmaceutical and health law work.

Practice head(s):

Vincenzo Salvatore

Other key lawyers:

Andrea Carta Mantiglia; Giovanni Guglielmetti; Claudio Tesauro; Sara Lembo; Giuseppe Ragucci; Elettra Gaspari

Testimonials

The team comprises high-level professionals with in-depth expertise in the pharmaceutical field.

Vincenzo Salvatore is the most experienced lawyer in Italy for pharmaceuticals work – he is always very flexible, available and pragmatic.

Key clients

Abvie

Almirall

Beckton Dickinson

Bracco

Roche

Zambon

Work highlights

  • Provided regulatory assistance to Pikdare, a manufacturer of medical devices and materials.
  • Successfully assisted Italian biopharmaceutical company Kedrion with an action before the General Court of the European Union.
  • Assisted PharmaMar in relation to administrative proceedings before the European Medicines Agency.

DLA Piper

DLA Piper‘s multidisciplinary life sciences practice in Italy is sought out for its advice on corporate, regulatory, IP, commercial, privacy, public procurement and PPP matters. The team also assists with litigation (particularly antitrust, product liability and insurance disputes), employment law, and white-collar crime and compliance issues. In the healthcare sector, the group is additionally active in real estate and finance work. Italy life sciences head Roberto Valenti is a ‘great lawyer‘ and IP specialist, who focuses on medical devices, and Marco de Morpurgo heads up the EU life sciences regulatory practice.

Practice head(s):

Roberto Valenti

Other key lawyers:

Marco de Morpurgo; Raffaella Quintana; Gualtiero Dragotti

Testimonials

Great people and life sciences expertise.

Roberto Valenti is a great lawyer and asset for clients.

Key clients

Pfizer

GlaxoSmithKline

Iovance Biotherapeutics

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Essity

Sifi

Menarini

Medtronic

Reckitt Benkiser

GE Healthcare

Work highlights

  • Advised the Pfizer Group’s Italian entities on the supply of COVID-19 vaccines distributed in Italy, the Vatican City State and San Marino.
  • Assisted Medtronic with a patent dispute involving European manufacturers and suppliers of medical devices for respiratory support.
  • Assisted Sifi with its agreement with Chinese biopharmaceutical company AffaMed Therapeutics for a strategic joint venture in China.

Herbert Smith Freehills

For some clients, Herbert Smith Freehills‘s Milan office fields ‘the strongest life sciences team in Italy‘. The group covers IP disputes, regulatory and compliance work, and white-collar crime cases and internal investigations, with a strategic focus in the pharma sector on advising originator and innovator companies. Other active areas are R&D collaborations, clinical trials, marketing arrangements, privacy issues, and financings. Co-leading the life sciences sector in EMEA, Laura Orlando is ‘an absolute superstar‘; Sebastian Moore is an experienced patent litigation specialist; and Sara Balice is a key of counsel. Corporate crime and investigations head Enrico Maria Mancuso was recently recruited from Pedersoli Studio Legale.

Practice head(s):

Laura Orlando

Other key lawyers:

Sebastian Moore; Sara Balice; Emily Bottle; Martina Maffei; Enrico Maria Mancuso

Testimonials

Without doubt, the team at HSF is the strongest life sciences team in Italy. It has an unrivalled footprint, conducts all the big-ticket litigation, and is incredibly knowledgeable and pragmatic when it comes to regulatory advice. It can also coordinate the most complex pieces of work from Italy using its network of offices.

Able to provide support on a number of regulatory and IP matters with a business-oriented approach, always puts clients at the centre of the case, and adapts to clients’ priorities.

The firm is able to leverage its excellent network in Europe and is very helpful when assisting small pharmaceutical companies with assessing the requirements of multiple jurisdictions.

Key clients

Sanofi

Millennium Pharmaceuticals

Veterna

Janssen

Achilles Vaccines

Abbvie

Novaliq

Biogen

Gilead

Roche

Pharma Prime

The US Government

CSL Behring

Lundbeck

Eli Lilly

IQVIA

Zambon

Work highlights

  • Acted for Millennium, Janssen and the US Government in a patent dispute concerning the validity of two patents protecting the product Velcade (bortezomib).
  • Assisted CSL Behring with assessing the proper organisational and compliance requirements for occupational health and safety.
  • Assisted Sanofi with the defence of patent invalidity actions involving its blockbuster treatment for multiple sclerosis, Aubagio® (teriflunomide).

Hogan Lovells International LLP

Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s ‘knowledgeable‘ cross-practice life sciences group houses several experts in corporate and commercial law, M&A, product liability and litigation, regulatory issues, IP matters and compliance-related work. Clients also benefit from the firm’s enviable relationships with the Italian health authorities’ key officers. Product liability, compliance and safety specialist Christian Di Mauro heads the team, which also features Italian IP leader Luigi Mansani. Counsel Giuseppe Aminzade was recruited during 2021 from Rucellai & Raffaelli to lead the firm’s Italy life sciences and healthcare regulatory department. Chiara Perolari is the key associate.

Practice head(s):

Christian Di Mauro

Other key lawyers:

Luigi Mansani; Giuseppe Aminzade; Francesca Rolla; Sabrina Borocci; Giovanni Ghirardi; Francesco Stella; Francesca Angeloni; Elisa Rossi; Chiara Perolari

Testimonials

Very good knowledge of pharmaceutical sector-related product liability issues.

Very knowledgeable about the Italian healthcare market, experienced and accessible.

Francesco Stella is experienced, confident and calm.

Key clients

Angelini Holding

Baxter

CHR Hansen Italia

Eli Lilly

Fidia Farmaceutici

Formula Pharmaceuticals

GE Healthcare

Grünenthal

Livanova

Orthofix

Qiagen Marseille

Recordati

Sorin Group Italia

LivaNova Deutschland

Takeda Shire

Portolano Cavallo

Portolano Cavallo‘s client base ranges from large pharmaceutical companies to start-ups and spinouts. The group advises on the transactional, contractual, IP, product liability, litigation, compliance and regulatory aspects of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and healthcare services. It also assists with matters in relation to cosmetics, food supplements and pet food. The department is co-led by Luca Gambini, an expert in life sciences-related commercial contracts, and 2021-elevated partner Elisa Stefanini, whose experience includes medicines and medical devices. Laura Liguori advises on consumer law, data protection, IT law, and internet and e-commerce matters.

Practice head(s):

Elisa Stefanini; Luca Gambini

Other key lawyers:

Laura Liguori; Irene Picciano; Ilaria Curti; Maria Balestriero

Testimonials

Acting for high-level clients, it is able to handle and coordinate complex regulatory topics. The lawyers are also very active in relation to innovative projects – clients really trust them.

The team has deep sector knowledge and is always available to assist.

A very competent and precise team.

The team, led by Elisa Stefanini and Luca Gambini, is particularly skilled.

Elisa Stefanini has strong healthcare sector knowledge, and is able to provide speedy solutions and advice.

Laura Liguori is pragmatic, approachable, and thinks like a true business partner.

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie

Among the most competent on the market‘, Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie‘s pharmaceutical, healthcare and life sciences team is particularly active in regulatory, compliance, corporate and commercial matters. It also handles mandates relating to public contracts, clinical trials, IP and privacy issues, and administrative procedures and disputes. Roberto Cursanohas a very deep understanding of healthcare and life sciences practice‘, and Francesco Goisis' workload covers public procurement and healthcare law. The associates to note are Riccardo Ovidi and Francesca Baratta, while Miriam Allena and Mario Cigno became of counsels during 2022.

Practice head(s):

Roberto Cursano

Other key lawyers:

Francesco Goisis; Riccardo Ovidi; Francesca Baratta; Miriam Allena; Mario Cigno

Testimonials

Very responsive and coordinated.

The team stands out for its multidisciplinary skills in the field of management consulting, as well as the legal sector, and has great compliance skills.

The team is among the most competent on the market. For any practice area, including compliance and labour, solid professionals are available who understand our company’s needs and expectations very well.

Key clients

AbbVie

MSD Italy

Abbott

Paul Hartmann

Organon

Takeda Pharmaceutical

Striker

Ecolab

GlaxoSmithKline

ICU Medical

Applied Medical

Work highlights

  • Assisted AbbVie Inc with the integration process following its acquisition of Allergan.
  • Assisted MSD Italy with the identification and fulfilment of the corporate and regulatory steps necessary to complete the merger by way of incorporation of SCR Europe into MSD Animal Health.
  • Assisted Takeda Pharmaceutical with compliance issues.

Chiomenti

Chiomenti‘s pharmaceuticals, healthcare and life sciences practice advises on medicinal product-related authorisations and licences, products’ clinical trials, and pharmaceutical market-related procedures. The group also leverages the firm’s credentials in IP, administrative law, M&A, antitrust, regulatory matters and litigation. Team head Luca Liistro assists with pharmaceutical, healthcare and life sciences sector-related M&A, corporate and commercial work, and Filippo Brunetti advises pharmaceutical manufacturers and medical device companies on establishing public-private cooperation groups, along with public health policy implementation. The practice of recently promoted of counsel Francesca Villa includes pharmaceutical and medtech M&A.

Practice head(s):

Luca Liistro

Other key lawyers:

Filippo Brunetti; Francesca Villa; Alessandro Buscemi; Elio Leonetti; Patrick Actis Perinetto

Testimonials

Deep know-how, a proactive approach, and strong expertise – they are problem solvers.

The team listens to clients and thinks about solutions, not processes.

Key clients

Abbott

Air Liquide Sanità Service

Albis International

Alfasigma

Amplifon

Artsana

BioVelocITA

Carestream Dental Italy

Coloplast

Columbus Education Association

Fidia Farmaceutici Forest Laboratories

Genoma Group

Gilead Sciences

Khiron

Laboratoires Expanscience

Lifebrain Group

LifeNet Health

Menarini Group

Merck Sharp & Dohme (Italia)

MIT Italia

Neuraxpharm

Recordati

Roche

SoBi Pharma

Surmodics

Techwald Holding

Zambon Group

Zobele

Work highlights

  • Advised Alfasigma on the acquisition of the entire corporate capital of Italian pharmaceutical company Sofar.
  • Advised Investindustrial on the sale of Global Healthcare Services’ entire stake in Lifebrain to Cerba HealthCare.
  • Advised Xvivo Perfusion Aktiebolag on developing optimised solutions for organ, tissue and cell preservation and perfusion.

Dentons

Dentons‘ life sciences and healthcare practice houses experts in public sector matters, and in corporate and real estate transactions. It also assists with cybersecurity, data protection and IP issues, as well as administrative, civil and criminal disputes. The team’s medical devices expertise further extends to product liability work. Group head Luca Pocobelli advises on transactions in the life sciences and healthcare sectors, and Sara Biglieri‘s disputes practice includes life sciences matters. Ilaria Gobbato is a public law expert, while managing counsel Antonio Legrottaglie focuses on life sciences sector-related transactions.

Practice head(s):

Luca Pocobelli

Other key lawyers:

Sara Biglieri; Ilaria Gobbato; Antonio Legrottaglie

Testimonials

Always available and highly skilled at supporting clients in their legal problems.

Good coordination between the several practices managed by the law firm, especially during high-profile matters, such as M&A.

Very good availability and replies in a short time.

The team’s strengths include its clarity when explaining legal language.

Lawyers who are always kind, available and proactive.

Key clients

Lifebrain

Johnson & Johnson

Ortho-Clinical Diagnostic Italy

NeoApotek

Mirova – Natixis Investment Managers

Affidea Group

Shareholders of B&C

Permedica

Fujifilm Italia

Lifescan

Work highlights

  • Advised Lifebrain on the acquisition of target companies operating in the diagnostics sector.
  • Advised NeoApotek on a partnership agreement with Unifarco (a multinational company founded by pharmacists).
  • Advising Lifescan, which specialises in diabetes management, on various regulatory, IP, data protection, competition, and commercial matters.

Gitti and Partners

Led by experienced Milan-based Paola SangiovanniGitti and Partners predominantly assists multinational medical device and pharmaceutical product manufacturers, along with healthcare sector start-ups, and Italian and foreign hospitals. The practice’s scope of expertise includes corporate and commercial law, M&A, regulatory issues, data protection compliance, and litigation. Sangiovanni is experienced in national and international contracts, stock acquisitions, and joint venture, licensing and high-tech services agreements. Elevated to partner during 2021, Flavio Monfrini‘s track record includes assisting with life sciences-related international transactions.

Practice head(s):

Paola Sangiovanni

Other key lawyers:

Flavio Monfrini; Francesca Andrea Cantone; Francesco Stelio Clerici

Testimonials

Very hands on and closely aligned with its clients. The team takes clients’ needs into account and work is always handled in a very professional manner.

Paola Sangiovanni’s competence, humility and professionalism are very highly appreciated by her clients.

Paola Sangiovanni has in-depth healthcare and life sciences experience, particularly in the regulatory space.

Paola Sangiovanni’s command of English is exceptional, elevating the excellent service she provides by an extra notch.

Paola Sangiovanni and Flavio Monfrini always deliver advice on time and on budget, and with a very pragmatic perspective that understands the demands of this sector. Clients are always very impressed with the service provided.

Clients cannot speak highly enough of Paola Sangiovanni and Flavio Monfrini – they are very client friendly.

Key clients

Medtronic Italia

NGC Medical

Bellco

Haemopharm Biofluids

Invatec

Nihon Kohden

Shionogi

Otsuka

Syneos Health

Artivion/Jotec

Amicus Therapeutics

Wise

Palex

Senzagen

Albireo Pharma

ACOM – Advanced Center Oncology Macerata

Betaglue Technologies

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Emergent Biosolutions

Link Italia

Church & Dwight Co

Stago

Work highlights

  • Advised Palex (and its shareholder Fremman Capital) on the purchase of the Gada group, which sells medical technology to Italian hospitals.
  • Assisted Swedish listed company SenzaGen with the acquisition of an Italian target that is active in pre-clinical non-animal testing.

LS CUBE Studio Legale

A small law firm with outstanding expertise‘, LS CUBE Studio Legale‘s life sciences practice is jointly led by experienced partners Paolo RicciPaola La Licata, Rosanna Sovani and Massimiliano Marinozzi. Ricci is a specialist in commercial, corporate and M&A work in the life sciences sector, and ‘outstanding professional‘ La Licata, who acts for pharmaceutical and medical devices companies, has substantial expertise in life sciences-related regulatory, compliance and commercial matters. Sovani focuses on privacy and life sciences market access issues, while Marinozzi is an experienced litigator.

Practice head(s):

Paolo Ricci; Paola La Licata; Massimiliano Marinozzi; Rosanna Sovani

Testimonials

A boutique firm that is committed to communicating and engaging with clients through a very tailored approach that suits both organisational and operational needs.

An integrated approach to legal analysis and policy development that offers added value to clients who wish to engage not only with the implementation of the applicable legislation, but also with forthcoming rules and policies.

The ability of each individual to communicate, collaborate with clients, and deliver on agreed objectives is outstanding at LS Cube.

Key clients

Actial Farmaceutici

Agave

Amarin

Arkopharma

Blue Bird

Bristol Myers Squibb

Celgene

Daiichi Sankyo

DiaSorin

Exact Sciences

Gilead

Grant Thorton

HRA

IBSA Farmaceutici

Kedrion

Kyowa Kirin

Manni Oil

Novartis

Ospedale Bambin Gesù

OTI

PharmaExtracta

Pfizer

Roche

San Raffaele IRCSS

Schwabe

Stallergenes

TransMedics

Vifor

Vifor Fresenius

Work highlights

  • Assisted Schwabe with various judicial claims involving the rejection of marketing authorisations, and recall and withdrawal procedures.
  • Assisted Daiichi Sankyo, Vifor Pharma and Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma with judicial claims brought against the Italian Medicines Agency.
  • Provided Exact Sciences with policy and advocacy support.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe

Providing ‘exceptional response times‘, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe‘s full-spectrum life sciences coverage ranges from antitrust and competition, M&A and private equity matters to technology and venture capital issues. Other key areas of strength include pharmaceutical regulatory issues, litigation, compliance, and investigations and white-collar crime cases. The team also assists with financings and commercial agreements. The principal figures are EU and Italian competition law expert Pietro Merlino; Italian white-collar criminal defence leader Jean-Paule Castagno; and Attilio Mazzilli, who advises on pharmaceutical market-related transactions.

Practice head(s):

Pietro Merlino; Jean-Paule Castagno; Attilio Mazzilli

Other key lawyers:

Alessandro Vittoria; Francesca Proietto; Livia Maria Pedroni; Marianna Meriani; Andrea Alfonso Stigliano

Testimonials

Great knowledge of VC funding and start-ups.

Good attention to detail and solid advice.

Exceptional response times and very pertinent remarks – clients always feel that they are on the same page.

Very knowledgeable and easy to talk to.

The team always plans for every situation with tailor-made solutions, and is willing to listen to clients’ particular needs rather than coming up with standard solutions.

Key clients

F Hoffmann-La Roche

Kedrion

Keyless

Healthware Group

Bianalisi

Cerba HC Italia

Allelica

Garofalo Health Care

HBM Healthcare Investments

HAT Technology & Innovation

Amplifon

Allelica

Artsana Group

Work highlights

  • Assisting F Hoffmann-La Roche with ongoing appeal proceedings brought before the Council of State (COS) against the COS’ 2019 judgment concerning an alleged anti-competitive arrangement between the Roche and Novartis groups.
  • Assisting Kedrion (and its parent company Sestant Internazionale) with the antitrust aspects of a complex transaction whereby PE fund Permira and Sestant will acquire joint control over Kedrion and Bio Products Laboratory.
  • Assisted Kedrion, a global manufacturer of plasma-derived therapeutic products, with a three-year investigation launched by the Romanian Competition Council into an alleged anti-competitive arrangement.

Osborne Clarke

Osborne Clarke‘s practice acts for international life sciences sector companies, and has particular experience in advising generic drug producers on issues including substitution list inclusion and marketing authorisations . Other notable specialisms are public tenders and medtech issues. The team is led by Maria Grazia Medici, whose practice includes challenges to marketing authorisations, and Federico Ferrara‘s IP transactions practice includes licensing, partnering, and cooperative R&D and drug supply matters. At of counsel level, Carlos Suarez has substantial experience in acting for life sciences companies, while Sabrina MaielloMarialaura Boni and Giulia Verusio are the senior associates to note.

Practice head(s):

Maria Grazia Medici

Other key lawyers:

Federico Ferrara; Giulia Verusio; Sabrina Maiello; Marialaura Boni; Carlos Suarez

Testimonials

Not just a law firm, as its lawyers display sensitivity towards clients without professional distance.

Real partners with whom clients can work as a team.

Good synergy with clients that leads to the achievement of goals.

Very good work, exceptional service and new ideas.

Deep understanding of clients’ interests, focuses and challenges, delivering thoughtful recommendations that address issues.

Carlos Suarez and Marialaura Boni give clear definitions of expectations and deliverables.

Key clients

Actavis Italy

Dentsply Sirona Italia

Dentsply Sirona Group

Grifols Italia

Havas PR Milan

Health Italia

King’s College London

Heqet Therapeutics

Progenika Biopharma

Sciterion

SDM Società Dietetica Medica

Sicor Societa’ Italiana Corticosteroidi

Teva Italia

Wellspect

Zhermack

Work highlights

  • Assisting Grifols Italia, which produces blood plasma-based products, with an innovative collaboration agreement with the University of Pavia.
  • Successfully acted for Teva Italia in administrative litigation, in which the granting of marketing authorisation and the inclusion of Teva’s product in a substitution list, was challenged by the originator company.
  • Acting for King’s College London and Heqet Therapeutics, a Turin-based biotech start-up, on the closure of a Series A funding round to complete its RNA-based therapy programme for cardiac regeneration.

Trevisan & Cuonzo

Trevisan & Cuonzo fields a go-to practice for pharmaceuticals and biotech clients’ patent litigation involving blockbuster and other pharmaceutical drugs. The trade mark team is active in clearance and opposition work in the pharmaceutical sector, while the firm also has robust practices in life sciences-related regulatory and antitrust matters. Co-heading the team are renowned IP and life sciences specialist Gabriel Cuonzo; Daniela Ampollini, a well-known IP practitioner; patent expert Donatella Capelli; and recently promoted partner Luca Pellicciari, whose track record includes acting in pharmaceutical and biotech-related cases. Federica Bocedi and Lorenzo Battarino are experienced counsels.

Practice head(s):

Gabriel Cuonzo; Donatella Capelli; Daniela Ampollini; Luca Pellicciari

Other key lawyers:

Federica Bocedi; Lorenzo Battarino

Testimonials

T&C has an excellent team for handling complex litigation in an international setting.

Donatella Capelli is very engaged and an excellent fighter in court.

Gabriele Cuonzo is very experienced and has a strategic mind.

Work highlights

  • Acted for Heraeus Medical and Heraeus in proceedings concerning violations of valuable trade secrets.
  • Succesfully assisted Boehringer Ingelheim in relation to patent rights for the active ingredient of a product for respiratory diseases.
  • Successfully represented Industria Chimica Emiliana in a case before the Italian Competition Authority.

ADVANT Nctm

Advising manufacturers, suppliers, regulators, and pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies, ADVANT Nctm‘s ‘highly competent‘ practice advises on a range of life sciences issues. Paolo Gallarati is an expert in corporate and commercial law, M&A, international business transactions and compliance, and Lorena Possagno is sought after by major clients such as Germany-based healthcare company Fresenius Group. Vito Bisceglie is a specialist in the healthcare, and health and social services sectors.

Practice head(s):

Lorena Possagno; Paolo Gallarati

Other key lawyers:

Vito Bisceglie; Francesca Bonino

Testimonials

Always finds the right answer to clients’ requirements – reliable, professional, holistic and transparent.

Always prompt and responsive.

Highly competent and combine perfectly to deal with clients’ specific requirements.

Strong and always up-to-date group that is business oriented, with its abilities based on deep knowledge of specific industries.

Very proactive collaboration amongst its people and a very pragmatic approach towards projects and clients. Great ability to solve problems.

Lorena Possagno has exceptional listening skills and the ability to support clients strategically.

Lorena Possagno is available 24/7 and is very rapid in her analysis and feedback.

Key clients

Astrazeneca

Fresenius Group

Gilead Sciences

Doc Generici

Genetic

Aboca

Allovir

Circassia Pharmaceuticals

Uriach Italy

Opocrin

Work highlights

  • Assisted the management team of Doc Generici with the sale of a majority stake in Diocle Topco (parent of DOC Generici) by Intermediate Capital Group and Merieux Equity Partners to TPG Capital.
  • Advising Fresenius Kabi Italia on its data protection and privacy matters.
  • Assisting AstraZeneca with assessing the lawfulness of the processing of personal data that it conducts in relation to its core business activities.

Franzosi Dal Negro Setti

Franzosi Dal Negro Setti‘s life sciences department advises on the entire lifecycle of pharmaceutical products, medical devices and food supplements. Its assistance covers R&D, regulatory approvals and market access strategy, including communication issues. Francesco Setti is a pharmaceutical law expert, while Francesca Libanori assists with life sciences-related regulatory issues. Former global GC of GE Healthcare Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical Diagnostics Stefano Giberti joined the firm as a partner in March 2022.

Practice head(s):

Francesco Setti; Stefano Giberti; Francesca Libanori

Testimonials

Business oriented and quick feedback.

Great availability and competency.

Gianni & Origoni

Gianni & Origoni‘s practice assists healthcare industry clients with structuring the acquisitions and sales of healthcare sector businesses, properties, products, platforms and technologies. Other areas of strength are licences, collaborations, antitrust issues, capital markets transactions, IP disputes, and IP portfolio-related due diligence investigations. Rosario Zaccà has extensive expertise in joint ventures and multi-jurisdictional transactions, and Eva Cruellas Sada is a competition specialist.

Practice head(s):

Rosario Zaccà

Other key lawyers:

Eva Cruellas Sada; Antonio Lirosi; Teodora Marocco; Cinzia Guglielmello

Testimonials

Professionals from this firm are very prepared and focused on their area of competence.

Key clients

AbbVie

ArchiMed

Aspen

GE Medical System Italia

Herbalife Italia

Indena

Isagro

Livanova

medac

MSD

Novartis

Novartis Farma

Novo Nordisk

Orthofix

Patheon

Pharmaceutical Group FIS

Sanofi Aventis

Takeda Italia

Garofalo Health Care

Lonza

Rohm & Haas

Sharon Laboratories

Work highlights

  • Assisted Sharon Laboratories with the acquisition of specialty ingredients producer RES Pharma Industriale.
  • Assisted ArchiMed, a transatlantic private equity healthcare specialist, with the acquisition of a majority stake in Cardioline.

LCA Studio Legale

LCA Studio Legale‘s sizeable life sciences practice advises on M&A and commercial agreements, and IP and regulatory issues. It expanded during 2021 through the recruitment of partner Alberto Mocchi and of counsel Agostino Migone de Amicis Mocchi (from Franzosi Dal Negro Setti and Pavia e Ansaldo, respectively), which brought significant clinical trial and regulatory compliance experience to the firm’s life sciences offering. Andrea Carreri is also a key team member.

Practice head(s):

Andrea Carreri; Agostino Migone de Amicis

Other key lawyers:

Dario Covucci; Leonardo De Vecchi; Alberto Mocchi

Testimonials

The team is absolutely supportive and committed to understanding clients’ needs and providing customised solutions.

Its experience, expertise, network and understanding of the market are key to meeting clients’ needs.

The team is very knowledgeable and capable, and is available almost immediately, supporting companies through crises both wisely and efficiently.

The team is always prepared and has an expert for every problem.

Agostino Migone de Amicis is one of the best lawyers around – his competence and network in the life sciences sector are absolutely unmatched.

Leonardo De Vecchi is a reliable and competent professional, who is always ready to reply to requests and find winning solutions quickly.

Key clients

Centro Basile

Pikdare

Roth Capital and Maxim Group

Vyaire

Arterra Bioscience

Karopharma Group

Didofà

Ok Informatica

Med Consulting

Work highlights

  • Advised Pikdare on a raft of medical device and raw ingredient supply (and other commercial) agreements.
  • Represented Didofà in bringing a breach of contract case against a Chinese manufacturer of PPE.
  • Handled all the Italian law aspects of Genenta Science’s $40m Nasdaq IPO, through the issuance of American depositary shares.

Legance - Avvocati Associati

Legance - Avvocati Associati advises life sciences and healthcare clients, including hospitals, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology organisations. Key areas of expertise include R&D work, healthcare facilities and digital health, and pharmaceutical law and medical equipment. The team also advises on life sciences and healthcare-related national and cross-border M&A. Giovanni Nardulli is a renowned international transactions specialist, while Filippo Pacciani focuses on administrative law. Environmental law expert Antonella Capria recently joined from Gianni & Origoni.

Practice head(s):

Giovanni Nardulli

Other key lawyers:

Filippo Pacciani; Antonella Capria; Monica Riva; Lorenzo Gentiloni Silveri; Ada Esposito; Lucio Scudiero

Testimonials

Strong knowledge of the dynamics and rules of the healthcare sector.

Legance’s team deals with all the issues in an outstanding way.

Lorenzo Gentiloni Silveri is an outstanding lawyer with a wide range of abilities. His work is always done very quickly but is always precise.

Key clients

Agilent Technologies

Allergy Therapeutics

Amplifon

Avizor International

Charme Capital Partners

CDP Venture Capital

CVC

DAI Optical

de Goetzen

DWS

Entangled Capital

Errant Gene Therapeutics

Eusphera

Farmavox

GB Pharma

Gemmo

Gruppo San Donato

Gruppo Villa Maria

Haemonetics

Hippocrates Holding

Hyris

IHG – Italian Hospital Group

Implant Protesis Dental 2004

Italsalute

IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi

IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele

IRCCS Policlinico San Donato

Kolinpharma

KOS Group

KCAS Bioanalytical Services

MPilo

MSD Italia

Natural Point

Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics

NPS Pharmaceuticals

Nutrilinea

RiverForce Partners

Sarepta Therapeutics

Teva Italia

TRUMPF Lasertechnik

UGA Nutraceuticals

Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele

Work highlights

  • Assisted Essetifin with the acquisition of biopharmaceutical company Exelead by Merck.
  • Assisted Banco BPM and Banca Nazionale del Lavoro with the financing for the acquisition of Mipharm, which produces drugs for third parties, by Alto Capital IV.
  • Assisted KCAS with the acquisition of FlowMetric and FlowMetric Europe, a provider of flow cytometry and cellular testing R&D services.

Masotti Cassella

Masotti Cassella‘s practice advises Italian and international medical device, biotech and pharmaceutical companies on their M&A, venture capital and private equity transactions. It also assists with licensing agreements, public bids and procurement law,  along with distribution, R&D, original equipment manufacturer and clinical trial agreements. The group additionally acts in litigation. Luca Masotti assists manufacturers and distributors of medical and surgical devices, while Anne Moutardier is an experienced associate.

Practice head(s):

Luca Masotti

Other key lawyers:

Anne Moutardier

Key clients

Ab Medica

Pharmalex

Genomnia

Era Edoscopy

Officine Ortopediche Rizzoli

Abex

Ab Salud

Excelencia Robotica

Ab Renting

Rentalmed

Medical Labs

Fazzini

Eurapharma

Work highlights

  • Advised Pharmalex on the acquisition of MAP.
  • Acted for Ab Medica in complex litigation before the Administrative Court of Bologna, which involved challenging a tender for the supply of robotic systems.
  • Advised Pharmalex on the acquisition of all of the share capital in pharmaceutical consultancy company EBMA.

Pavia e Ansaldo

Pavia e Ansaldo houses life sciences specialists in IP litigation, regulatory work, M&A, international healthcare, competition law and data protection. Clients also benefit from the firm’s strong relationships with Italy’s healthcare regulatory bodies. Industrial and IP practice leader Gian Paolo Di Santo acts for life sciences multinationals in IP litigation; Marco Giustiniani is experienced in administrative litigation involving public procurement bodies and the Italian Medicines Agency; and Filippo Fioretti assists with competition law aspects. Gabriele Girardello is a recently promoted IP partner.

Practice head(s):

Gian Paolo Di Santo

Other key lawyers:

Marco Giustiniani; Filippo Fioretti; Gabriele Girardello

Key clients

Actavis Italy

Accord/Intas

Laboratori Alter

Bonesupport

Ethypharm

Bio-Techne Corporation

Almirall e Almirall

GPI

Asahi Intecc

Cardiotech

Work highlights

  • Advising international NGO AMREF (African Medical and Research Foundation) Italia on its compliance model.
  • Advised Labomar on its acquisition of the residual 51.2% of Labiotre’s capital.
  • Assisted Ethypharm’s French group with a complex operation in which it internalised the Italian distribution business of its distributor.

Pedersoli Studio Legale

Pedersoli Studio Legale‘s pharmaceutical, healthcare and medical industry experts advise on commercial and administrative law, public procurement, M&A, licences, spinoffs and joint ventures. The team also assists with regulatory, compliance and litigation issues, while its sector expertise further covers chemicals, biotechnology and medical devices. The department is co-led by administrative law practice head Sergio Fienga and Luca Saraceni, who advises healthcare and life sciences sector clients on M&A transactions.

Practice head(s):

Luca Saraceni; Sergio Fienga

Other key lawyers:

Jean-Daniel Regna-Gladin; Alessandro Zuccaro

Testimonials

A law firm that is very well prepared in administrative legal issues and tenders.

Very professional support that is also understandable for those unfamiliar with legal practices.

Key clients

Kedrion’s shareholders

Plurima’s stakeholders

DiaSorin

Affidea

Lonza Group

Advanced Sterilization Products Italia

Hollycon Italy

NMS Group

Smeg

Fondazione EBRI (European Brain Research Institute)

Work highlights

  • Assisted Kedrion’s shareholders with the sale of Kedrion to Permira.
  • Assisted the shareholders of Plurima, an Italian medical sector-related logistics company, with an agreement for the sale of a majority stake in the company.
  • Assisted DiaSorin (globally known for vitro diagnostics) with an agreement for the acquisition of Luminex, which develops, manufactures and sells proprietary technologies and products for biological tests.

Simmons & Simmons

Simmons & Simmons‘ ‘very clever and strategic‘ healthcare and life sciences practice has industry expertise in the chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. Its coverage includes patent litigation and regulatory matters, along with other contentious and non-contentious IP work, brand management, licensing and corporate support. The group is co-led by IP partners Stefania Bergia and Giulio Enrico Sironi, who are supported by senior associate Anna Colmano, who also advises on IP issues.

Practice head(s):

Stefania Bergia; Giulio Enrico Sironi

Other key lawyers:

Anna Colmano; Mauro Teresi; Stefano Vignati

Testimonials

Very clever and strategic.

Great awareness of the cross-border picture.

Distinguishes itself through exceptional talent, dedication, and knowledge of all aspects of IP matters in Italy.