The multidisciplinary team at Carey fields pharmacists and biochemists, who work alongside the firm’s lawyers throughout the life sciences life cycle. Its specialisms range from market entry and clinical research to accelerated and standard authorisations. The practice, which also covers labelling, promotion, vigilance, sanitary litigation, transactions and regulatory issues, routinely acts for originators and healthcare providers from the pharmaceutical, medical device, telemedicine and digital health sectors. The client base additionally includes cosmetics, wellness, veterinary product, agrochemical and food and beverage entities. Guillermo Carey focuses on regulatory compliance, defence-side product liability work, sanitary litigation and clinical research governance; his workload frequently features patent, trade secret and data exclusivity-related issues. Fellow practice co-head Ignacio Gillmore advises on the gamut of life sciences work, including regulatory approvals, compliance programmes, product liability, sanitary litigation, clinical research governance and healthcare-related data protection. At associate level, senior Cristina Busquet is a specialist in food, beverage and animal food regulation; Camila Suárez focuses on life sciences, biotechnology and public law; and Mariana Guzmán’s expertise covers the pharmaceutical product, medical device and cosmetics sectors.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • The team's main differentiator is its human touch, reflected in a friendly, approachable, and genuinely collaborative manner. They are professionals who know how to listen, understand the client's context, and build lasting relationships of trust. Their teamwork skills, both internally and with clients, are particularly noteworthy, facilitating smooth processes and effective communication. This, combined with their technical expertise and business acumen, positions them as reliable advisors, not just service providers. Compared to other firms, they stand out for their combination of professional excellence with approachability, helpfulness, and commitment, making working with them simple, efficient, and based on trust.
  • The Life Sciences team (Ignacio Gillmore and Camila Suárez) stands out for its high level of technical expertise and in-depth knowledge of health matters, clinical trials, and applicable regulations. This is complemented by a solid business acumen, positioning them as a strategic partner rather than simply a legal services provider. They have demonstrated the ability to integrate different specialties when necessary, contributing a comprehensive perspective and well-structured solutions. In this sense, their role transcends that of "requirements takers," consistently acting as advisors with sound judgment, proactivity, and a deep understanding of the context.
  • Provides clients with excellent service in the various areas and situations where clients have required their support. Ignacio Gillmore and Cristina Busquet stand out for their in-depth knowledge of the regulatory and public law areas that affect clients’ business. This is highly valued, as it allows clientsto move forward quickly, efficiently, and with a focus on resolving the problems that arise, while also having the strategic vision to strengthen the business' needs.
  • The advice provided by Carey is highly valued by in-house legal, sales, and operations teams. They are known for their commitment and excellence in addressing client needs, providing practical and timely responses focused on resolving the various issues that arise in this area. Their strategic vision is aligned with companies’ needs, thus enabling effective conflict resolution and the achievement of the objectives set for each review or request. It is important to note that they keep clients updated on legal and legislative developments in these areas, and they also provide in-person training to clients’ public procurement teams to ensure they remain current and aligned with legal compliance. This has been very favorably received by both in-house legal and sales teams.
  • Carey stands out for its depth in handling the matters entrusted to it, which lends confidence and strength to legal advice. They have incorporated different approaches to complex issues, simplifying both the evaluation and billing processes and providing practical solutions.
  • Young lawyers with a sense of urgency.
  • Carey's life sciences team demonstrates in-depth regulatory knowledge of the Chilean legal framework applicable to the pharmaceutical sector. Their ability to translate regulatory complexity into practical and actionable business recommendations is noteworthy, allowing clients to move forward with clarity in a highly regulated area. The team combines technical and legal rigour with a genuine understanding of the operational needs of a technology company. Carey distinguishes itself from other firms by combining specific regulatory expertise in life sciences with a business-oriented vision focused on digital business. While other firms may offer a more generic regulatory analysis, Carey's team understood the particularities of clients’ marketplace and e-commerce model, adapting their advice to the specific needs of operations. Their responsiveness and availability also set them apart. The team demonstrates an innovative approach to addressing pharmacy regulatory compliance in the context of e-commerce, an area where traditional regulations did not consider digital models. Their ability to interpret existing regulations and propose viable pathways for selling pharmaceutical products through digital platforms is particularly valuable.
  • Carey's life Sciences practice is distinguished by its deep understanding of the regulatory and operational environment of highly regulated industries, as well as its ability to go beyond traditional legal analysis. The team has demonstrated a clear understanding of the business and the real risks faced by companies in the sector, particularly regarding enforcement, sanctioning procedures, and complex operational decision making. A key element that differentiates this practice is its industry-aware approach: the team understands not only the applicable regulations but also how the industry functions, how the authorities operate, and the practical implications of each regulatory alternative. From an in-house counsel's perspective, the team's main strengths are its ability to communicate effectively with regulators, its rapid responses, high-level availability, and pragmatic approach. They don't just describe risks; they propose viable and strategic solutions, considering both the legal framework and business needs. Compared to other firms, Carey stands out for its close client relationships, agility, and ability to act as a true strategic partner in complex regulatory environments, particularly in situations involving audits or potential sanctions. Their collaborative work style and comprehensive understanding of the business make their advice particularly valuable in an increasingly demanding and dynamic regulatory landscape.
  • Among its members are Camila Suárez and Ignacio Gilmore. Camila is a rising star with a remarkable ability to interact with diverse stakeholders within the industry and effectively evaluate innovative ideas, making the business viable. Ignacio stands out for his flexibility and approachability, as well as his extensive knowledge of industry regulations.
  • The team stands out for its technical capacity and industry knowledge.

Key clients

  • Biogen
  • Farmacias Ahumada
  • Vertex Pharmaceuticals
  • Fresenius Kabi
  • Laboratorio Sanderson
  • Kraft Heinz
  • Evercrisp
  • The Not Company
  • GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
  • Merck

Work highlights

Advised Biogen on two distinct accelerated approval projects for first-in-class orphan therapies addressing different rare conditions.
Assisted AbbVie with a highly sensitive regulatory process to obtain the approval by the Chilean Public Health Institute of the new posology scheme for its product Venclexta (Venetoclax), a critical cancer drug for Leukaemia.
Advised Farmacias Ahumada on a nationwide regulatory compliance assessment for pharmacy operations.

Lawyers

Leading partners

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

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Practice head

Guillermo Carey; Ignacio Gillmore