Sidley Austin LLP advises national and international life sciences and healthcare clients, offering ‘broad expertise’ across transactions, financing, collaborations, licensing, and antitrust matters. The firm is recognised for its ’unrivalled knowledge’ of regulatory issues, particularly pricing and reimbursement processes, IP rights and development in the orphan drugs, cell and gene therapies and digital health tools space. The ‘responsive and available’ team is led by Maria Isabel Manley, a leader in EU and UK regulatory and competition matters. Robert Darwin is noted for his ’exceptional’ work across licensing, strategic collaborations, M&A, and private equity. Chris Boyle, promoted to partner in January 2025 and a specialist in animal health, is recognised for his expertise in regulatory life sciences issues and ‘flawless’ scientific knowledge, and Zina Chatzidimitriadou is praised for her ’in-depth knowledge’ across all aspects of product lifecycle management in the UK and EU.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Unrivalled knowledge in life sciences regulatory practice, notable in pricing and reimbursement matters (both contentious and non-contentious).’
'A superb and knowledgeable team.'
‘Responsive and available, providing professional and high-quality legal work.’
‘Knowledge, adaptability, commercial acumen, and insightful practical advice. This is a high-performing and cost-effective team. There is no "racking up the hours"; rather, strategic and commercially effective advice is delivered with the long-term vision of the client. Billing is transparent and cost-effective.’
'The firm offers a team where every lawyer is of great quality, led by an exceptional lawyer, Robert Darwin, who never lets the client take risks that are significant and finds elegant solutions to deal blockers. After 17 years and about 20 acquisitions, I have never had litigation of any kind. Robert’s team at Sidley is a real class act.'
'Robert Darwin excels by having a great understanding of the commercial objectives of the client, choosing the issues to fight and generating solutions to win them. A low-risk and imaginative lawyer able to pick a great team for delivering success to the client.'
Key clients
- Les Laboratoires Servier
- Immunocore
- Advanz Pharma
- GE Healthcare
- Novo Holdings
- BigHat Biosciences
- OrbiMed
- RA Capital
- Hoffman-La Roche
Work highlights
Advising Orbimed Advisors and RA Capital, two life sciences investors, in relation to their equity investment in Verdiva Bio.
Representing French pharmaceutical company Les Laboratoires Servier as co-lead counsel before the Court of Justice of the European Union in appeals by Servier (Case C-201/19 P) and the European Commission (Case C-176/19 P) against a General Court judgment (Case T-691/14).
Advising GE Healthcare in its acquisition of Intelligent Ultrasound Group PLC’s clinical artificial intelligence software business for a total consideration of approximately US$51 million.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
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.
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
Maria Isabel Manley
Other key lawyers
Robert Darwin; Chris Boyle; Zina Chatzidimitriadou; James Wood; Patrick J. Harrison; Victoria Kerr