TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
The ‘knowledgeable’ and ’pragmatic’ team at Stephenson Harwood advises a host of life sciences clients on corporate and commercial transactions, including VC investments, M&A, and collaboration and commercialisation arrangements. The practice is led by ‘top-tier’ Alexandra Pygall, noted for her experience in contentious and non-contentious IP matters, including transactions and litigation. Both recognised for their ’expertise and commitment’ Dan Holland focuses on the manufacturing and distribution of cell and gene therapy products, while Naomi Leach handles transactional IP matters, including licensing and collaboration agreements. Kristian Shearsby guides both start-ups and listed life sciences companies through corporate and IP transactions, with a strong nexus to the US market. Corporate specialist Michelle Gomes was promoted to partner in May 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Profile
Work Department
Intellectual property, tech & data
Position
An intellectual property expert with significant experience of advising on both transactions and disputes. Alexandra believes in providing straightforward and practical advice in context. With degrees in both law and chemistry, many of her clients are in the life sciences sector but she also works with luxury brand clients and clients in other sectors.
Alexandra advises on the complete spectrum of intellectual property issues. Her clients range from life sciences companies, such as BTG plc and Vernalis plc, to luxury brand companies such as Moët Hennessy and Richemont.
Alexandra's transaction experience includes advising clients on licensing, partnering, collaboration and R&D agreements as well as on the IP aspects of mergers, acquisitions, investments (including the taking of security over IP) and commercial contracts such as manufacturing and distribution arrangements.
Her dispute experience includes advising clients in relation to claims regarding IP ownership, infringement and validity and in relation to licensing and other contractual matters. She also advises in relation to anti-counterfeiting strategies and enforcement policies. She has experience of both civil and criminal IP litigation.
Alexandra has been named in The Lawyer's Hot 100 – Dealmaker list 2019 which acknowledges her as "representative of emerging talent in the venerable City player". Described as "bright, charming, witty and solution-driven" by Chambers and Partners, she has also been described as "extremely knowledgeable and an excellent communicator who has a unique ability to demystify complex areas of law. She juggles legal business risk with opportunity and then provides robust but pragmatic advice. On top of that, she’s a huge pleasure to work with" (IAM Patent 1000, 2018). According to WTR 1000, 2019 “her enthusiasm is infectious and she has a rare ability to explain difficult issues plainly and simply for the benefit of clients and to their great advantage”. Alexandra is highly recommended for patent transactions (IAM Patent 1000), for trade mark transactions, enforcement and litigation (WTR 100 2019) and for commercial agreements and litigation concerning copyright, trade marks and life sciences patents (Chambers and Partners). She has also been awarded the Lexology Client Choice Award for healthcare and life sciences UK 2018.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team has impressive expertise and capability across life sciences, particularly licensing, manufacturing, corporate and an increasing strength in AI and digital health. Whilst it is a small team, the collaboration across the partners is impressive and ensures that there is a joined-up approach when providing advice. Stephenson Harwood's expertise in manufacturing (in particular clinical and commercial agreements with CMOs) is a unique capability which is not prevalent in other firms.'
'The team is innovative, business-focused, and responsive. They are legal experts and strategists able to be both tactical as well as strategic.'
'Very knowledgeable of the industry, pragmatic, able to counsel through risk. A true business partner.'
‘The team has an actual thorough expertise in life sciences. It is one of the niche firms that we can rely on for their expertise in our industry.’
'Alexandra Pygall is a terrific lawyer and has been a great partner to me. She combines an understanding of transactions and litigations in a fantastic way to enable great results for her clients.'
‘Alexandra Pygall has excellent industry knowledge and provides fantastic support for licensing and collaboration transactions. She is building a strong team of juniors and cross-functional specialists. She combines contentious and non-contentious experience to great effect.’
'Alexandra Pygall is a top-tier pharma and healthcare litigation partner. Laura Elliott is a rising star.'
'Dan Holland and Naomi Leach are standout partners. They have clear expertise and commitment to their work and the industry as well as a suite of technical capabilities. Dan Holland always has a commercial answer to every question and Naomi Leach's ability to negotiate in a strong but pragmatic way is second to none. Naomi and Dan are both approachable, experts in their field, and lovely people to work with.'
Key clients
- Avacta Therapeutics Dr. Falk Pharma RQ Biotechnology Ixico plc Topas Therapeutics Bicycle Therapeutics plc OXB e-therapeutics BioNTech Cavendish Capital Markets Limited and Zeus Capital Novacyt BxTA GE HealthCare Egetis Therapeutics Acacia Pharma Exscientia Recursion BenevolentAI Johnson & Johnson Innovation Flarin Holdings UCB Ventures Futura Medical LifeArc Memo Therapeutics Apposite Capital Shield Therapeutics Incyte Corporation Viridian Therapeutics Atlanta Therapeutics
Work highlights
Acted for Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH (a German family-owned, multi-national, pharmaceutical company business) on its successful acquisition of Kynos Therapeutics Ltd (a UK clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development of novel treatments for patients suffering from acute and chronic inflammatory diseases).
Advised e-therapeutics plc on its £28.9 million fundraise by way of subscription by funds managed by M&G Investment Management Limited and Richard Griffiths and his controlled undertakings, each in existing shareholders; and cancellation of its admission to AIM.
Advising Avacta Therapeutics in relation to licensing and related arrangements, a stock option agreement, CRO agreements and certain corporate advisory queries, including with regard to the company's proposed listing on NASDAQ.