Biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device and healthcare clients turn to Clifford Chance LLP’s healthcare and life sciences practice for support on complex transactions, including M&A, partnerships and licensing, regulatory compliance and IP matters. The team is also recognised for its proficient handling of complex disputes and regulatory investigations, including competition, antitrust and excessive pricing matters. The practice is co-led by Stephen Reese, a specialist in IP strategy, exploitation and enforcement, and Gareth Camp, who focuses on public bids, M&A, JVs, and restructurings. Noted for his experience in antitrust proceedings, Luke Tolaini frequently advises on corporate compliance and investigations. Ben Jasper and Nissim Massarano are respectively recognised for their antitrust enforcement and litigation work and expertise in EU and UK competition law.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Incredibly capable team able to deal with the most difficult and complex disputes and regulatory investigations. At the top of the tree in terms of being among the most capable firms. They have been involved in some of the most complex cases in the pharma sector and have been in almost every significant case in the last few years, including those dealing with the very thorny area of excessive pricing.’
‘Luke Tolaini has seen it all and done it all. A great team leader and tactician who has built up a brilliant team. Ben Jasper has just been made up as a partner, which is no surprise as he has been performing at an incredibly high level for a number of years, taking on more and more responsibility. A very good lawyer, with lots of good sense and with great disputes and competition experience in the life sciences sector. Clients love working with him, quite justifiably. Nissim Massarano is a first-rate competition lawyer; his knowledge of competition law is encyclopaedic, his analysis is great, and he is always across the detail. As counsel, if you want a question answered, Nissim will have the answer.’
'A brilliant team with an in-depth knowledge of the sector. They are set apart by their senior associates, in my view: stellar practitioners, who are prepared to really grip the case and navigate the client through difficult decisions.'
'Ben Jasper is phenomenal - he was made up to partner this year but has been operating at that level for many years already. A stand-out practitioner. Nissim Massarano is likewise extremely impressive - an encyclopaedic knowledge of EU competition law, which he brings to bear for clients in this sector.'
Key clients
- Pfizer Inc
- Xellia Pharmaceuticals ApS and Alpharma LLC
- Cinven
- Sanofi
- Achilles Therapeutics
Work highlights
Defended Alpharma against claims brought by the NHS arising from the European Commission's decision to impose fines of approximately €145 million on a number of pharmaceutical companies for agreeing to delay the market entry of citalopram.
Representing Pfizer in the ongoing phenytoin excessive pricing litigation, which began in 2013.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Stephen Reese; Gareth Camp
Other key lawyers
Luke Tolaini; Ben Jasper; Nissim Massarano