Dechert LLP houses a broad team known for handling the full spectrum of mandates within the sector, including IPOs, health product marketing disputes, and public private partnership (PPP) issues. Practice co-lead Mélanie Thill-Tayara is a key contact for pharma clients seeking advice on cartel and abuse of dominance proceedings on a domestic and EU level. Co-head Alain Decombe is recommended for his longstanding corporate knowledge, advising on joint ventures and asset deals. ‘Brilliant’ regulatory expert Sophie Pelé often appears before administrative courts and entities on behalf of key players within the life sciences sector. Marion Provost is noted for her ability to advise on the antitrust aspects of M&A and merger filings, in addition to handling cartel investigations.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Versatility, experience and expertise, innovation.’
‘Strong knowledge of the specificities of the sector. The regulatory angle is the team's strong point.’
‘Sophie Pelé is very proactive and an expert in her field. High quality service.’
‘In-depth knowledge of the sector and current practices. Provide opinions with business sense. A team that takes a position and does not leave the client with several options.’
‘Excellence in key skills required by the pharmaceutical sector: market access, regulatory law, competition law.’
‘Marion Provost is a very good technician in health competition law - she provides in-depth risk analyses and has perfect knowledge of business issues and financial elements. Sophie Pelé is a brilliant lawyer in market access and regulatory law.’
Key clients
- ArchiMed
- Abivax
- Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A
- GSK
- Havea
- Laboratoire X.O
- Roche
Work highlights
- Advised French biotech Abivax on a Nasdaq IPO.
- Representing Virbac in a complaint before the European Commission related to a potential “killer acquisition”, which led to a dawn raid conducted by the Commission post-Covid and to the formal opening of an investigation on 26 March 2024.
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
Alain Decombe; Mélanie Thill-Tayara
Other key lawyers
Jacques Sivignon; Sophie Pelé; Ermine Bolot; Marion Provost