Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernández‘s intellectual property, life sciences and healthcare division is among the largest IP teams in the Dominican Republic, and the firm advises an extensive roster of international and local clients on all aspects of intellectual property work, including prosecution issues, portfolio management work, IP litigation, and regulatory compliance. The practice is highly active in patent work, supporting pharmaceuticals clients with patent linkage, data protection mandates, and regulatory strategies; the group also handles plant variety protection issues and complex trade mark disputes. Founding partner Mary Fernández heads up the practice and is recognised as ’a leader in the pharmaceutical sector’. Associate Miguelina Figueroa also has a robust IP practice, and associate Gabriella Villanueva focuses on patent portfolios, spanning patents, utility models and industrial designs and handles patent litigation.
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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Miguelina Figueroa is agile and effective, an excellent professional.'

  • ‘Headrick is the "go-to firm" for IP matters in our office. They are highly efficient, as they have a team dedicated exclusively to this practice, which they handle with extensive experience and responsibility.'

  • ‘I work with Gabriella Villanueva, who is very efficient and hardworking.'

  • ‘Headrick is a top firm in the Dominican Republic. We always prefer them for the quality of their professionals and their high-quality handling of any type of matter, including sophisticated ones.'

  • ‘Mary Fernández, a leader in the pharmaceutical sector with a strong grasp of strategic issues. Miguelina Figueroa, an expert in branding and day-to-day follow-up. Gabriela Villanueva, excellent in response times and day-to-day follow-up.'

  • ‘What makes Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernández's practice unique is the unbeatable service it provides, combined with the professional and humane approach it takes to serving its clients. '

Key clients

  • Omega Diagnostic
  • Bilanx Valance
  • Vertex Pharmaceuticals
  • Henkel Capital
  • Riparian Pharmaceuticals
  • Ingenia Therapeutics
  • Sumitomo Chemical
  • Otsuka Pharmaceutical
  • Tygrus
  • Universal Tea Company
  • Food Nerd
  • Genzyme Corporation

Work highlights

Successfully assisted INDUVECA with its international expansion for the launch of its renowned salami products in the US market.
Assisted Bloom Fresh International Limited (Bloom) with securing the first plant variety protections in the Dominican Republic.
Successfully assisted Merck Sharp & Dohme in the first-ever application for an expedited patent grant under the Accelerated Patent Grant (APG); a program between Office of Industrial Property (ONAPI) and the USPTO.

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.

Miguelina Figueroa
Gabriella Villanueva

Practice head

Mary Fernández; Miguelina Figueroa; Gabriella Villanueva