Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP fields a leading life sciences practice which advises global and domestic clients on major corporate transactions, IP issues, litigation and regulatory matters. The firm has expertise across life sciences regulations and laws, advising clients on the entire life cycle of businesses and products from commercialization to product marketing, IPOs and potential IP and patent litigation. The practice is spearheaded by Cheryl Satin who is a life sciences sector specialist with a wealth of expertise and experience advising on corporate matters in the sector. She sits in Toronto and advising early stage and mid-market biotech companies with multijurisdictional M&A, cross-border licensing and supply and distribution arrangements. Working alongside Satin in Toronto, Pei Li is the go-to for regulatory issues, advising on promotional restrictions, import and export issues and product recalls. Joseph Garcia sits in Vancouver and excels in domestic and cross-border transactions such as public offerings, takeover and issuer bids and financings. Emma Costante also resides in Vancouver and advises on complex life sciences transactions for growing companies. The firm aids a wide array of clients in the life sciences sector including pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, diagnostic product and consumer product companies, advising both start-ups and established clients.
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Key clients

  • Alpha-9 Theranostics
  • AstraZeneca
  • Avista Healthcare Partners
  • Elanco Animal Health
  • Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals
  • enGene
  • NervGen Pharma
  • Orpyx Medical

Work highlights

Advised AstraZeneca on the Canadian aspects of its $2bn acquisition of Fusion Pharmaceuticals.
Advised Elanco Animal Health on the closing of the sale of its aqua business to Merck Animal Health for C$1.3bn in cash.
Advised enGene on its $200m private placement of common shares, and a subsequent $60m private placement of common shares.

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

Cheryl Satin

Other key lawyers

Joseph Garcia; Pei Li; Laura Weinrib; Emma Costante