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Life sciences

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Covarrubias

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The life sciences practice at independent law firm Covarrubias is particularly experienced in IP and technological matters, including patents, plant varieties, trade marks, domain names, copyright, data protection, litigation and technology transfers. A ‘strategic ally for clients’ most important matters in Chile’, the team also covers the legal, regulatory and strategic side to product liability, investigations and enforcement actions. The four-member group further assists with the protection of clients’ life sciences-related rights during disputes (at both national and international levels); and on the regulatory front, the practice is mandated to advise on food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices, as well as products requiring registration with Chile's regulatory agencies. Recent highlights for the group include assisting chemical company BASF with filing a patent application in Chile for fatty acid derivatives for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Firm founder Arturo Covarrubias specialises in industrial property litigation involving the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, tissue paper, food, retail and telecoms sectors; and Matías Valenzuela is a biochemist who heads up the firm’s patent department. Former associate and litigation leader Diego Bilbao departed the firm in April 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The Covarrubias team is a strategic ally for clients’ most important matters in Chile.’

  • ‘Their knowledge and willingness are of invaluable support and there are no problems of any kind with billing, technology, or any other issues.’

  • ‘Covarrubias always stands out for their quick responses, but above all because they clearly know this topic and local practices very well, in addition to the excellent relationships they have with officials at the national authorities.’

  • ‘A close-knit team, in which each member knows what they have to do.’

  • ’The firm's lawyers have a clear vision of business, which allows them to provide tailored advice to their clients.’

  • ‘The Covarrubias team is made up of experts in the areas of life sciences and patents. They are highly objective, strategic and collaborative in their professional opinions, which sets them apart from other firms. ‘

Key clients

  • Crop Microclimate Management
  • Virbac
  • Centrovet
  • Tersera Therapeutics
  • Novartis
  • Monsanto Technology
  • Shire Human Genetic Therapies
  • Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co
  • Nuseed Americas
  • Pairwise Plants Services
  • BASF

Work highlights

Assisting Novartis with filing over 150 patent applications in Chile (to date).
Assisted BASF with filing a patent application in Chile for fatty acid derivatives for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Assisted Pairwise Plants Services with filing four divisional patent applications for CAS12a nuclease variants, preparation methods, and their use in modifying nucleic acids.

Practice head

Arturo Covarrubias; Matías Valenzuela