Malcolm Bates > Goodwin > Cambridge, England > Lawyer Profile

The Cambridge office of Goodwin is an important centre of excellence in the firm’s international network, and it handles high-value M&A and investment transactions for companies in the technology and life sciences sectors. ‘The team is well respected in the market and has extensive knowledge of VC, which means they deliver an excellent product and deal experience‘, remarks one client. Lead partners David Mardle, Malcolm Bates and Tim Worden are acknowledged experts in licensing, M&A, IP commercialisation, financing and regulatory matters. Up-and-coming partners Adam Thatcher and Elizabeth Rhodes  also play key roles in VC and M&A transactions. Thatcher recently assisted shareholders of cloud email security platform Tessian Limited with its acquisition by Proofpoint Inc.

The Cambridge office of Goodwin has a specialist technology and life sciences team that is ‘very engaged, pragmatic and creative, and so able to solve more complex issues‘.  It is part of a global practice that acts for biotechnology companies across the entire corporate lifecycle, as well as advising major venture capital and investment firms. The key practitioners are David Mardle , who has extensive experience in M&A and capital markets; commercial IP specialist Malcolm Bates, who is a key adviser to pioneering small activating RNA (RNAa) therapeutics company MiNA Therapeutics; and contracts expert Tim Worden , who handles licensing and partnering deals, R&D agreements, clinical trials agreements and distribution agreements. Up-and-coming partner Elizabeth Rhodes is also highly recommended.

International life sciences firm Goodwin has a strong base in Cambridge, where experienced partners handle IPOs, financings, and patent strategies for a stellar roster of clients. Practice co-heads Malcolm Bates, who focuses on the commercialisation of IP rights, and Tim Worden, who deals with licensing and partnering deals, R&D and clinical trials agreements, are the key contacts. Worden, who is ‘‘very insightful and helpful‘, recently advised Closed Loop Medicine on its global co-development partnership with Pharmanovia, which commercialises novel medicines and revitalizes, extends and expands the lifecycle of established medicines. Associate Georgia Powell is a key adviser on non-contentious IP and commercial matters in the life sciences, technology and healthcare sectors.

Biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies as well as leading venture capital and investment firms turn to Goodwin for assistance with work spanning early stage financings, capital markets, M&A, dispute resolution and licensing transactions. Four partners lead the team: David Mardle, who divides his time between Cambridge and London, has a focus on assisting emerging companies with corporate and capital markets transactions. Graham Defries is a key contact for private equity and venture capital investments and exits. Sophie McGrath‘s corporate practice encompasses private and public financings, public offerings, and restructurings. Arvin Abraham, completing the leadership team, is frequently sought out by private equity sponsors for transactional assistance. Malcolm Bates‘ wide-ranging practice spans outsourcing and R&D projects, M&A transactions and IPOs.