The core pillars of the life sciences and healthcare offering at A&O Shearman are transactional work, IP litigation and regulatory advice. Additional areas of strength include antitrust, employment and investigations. Practice co-head Jim Ford has developed a market reputation for advising on matters at the cutting edge such as the use of AI and machine learning in the drug development process. Fellow co-head Matthew Appleton excels in transactional mandates encompassing cross-border brand divestitures, strategic collaborations, acquisitions, and sales. Marjan Noor excels in life sciences patent litigation and frequently handles both enforcement and defence on behalf of patent holders. Rafi Allos‘ contentious expertise incorporates litigation against generics. Cross-border transactional work involving the development and exploitation of IP is a mainstay of Megan McMellon’s practice.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Allen & Overy has global reach and resources to apply to issues.’
‘Jim Ford has a strong knowledge of commercial agreements in the pharma industry and a pragmatic approach to problem solving.’
‘A&O Shearman London is one of the top practices in the UK Life Sciences and healthcare market. The size and breadth of the team is excellent, particularly the quality of the talent.'
‘Marjan Noor, who heads the life sciences patent litigation group, is excellent and comes with vast amounts of experience, especially in biologics cases. She would be a go-to partner for most important UK patent litigation cases.'
Rafi Allos is very knowledgeable about the market and a tactician when it comes to strategy and have great knowledge of the pharmaceutical regulatory law.'
Tom Edwards has a very deep technical understanding (he has a technical background) of the science and the law with a huge amount of experience from high-profile cases over the years including a couple of UK Supreme Court cases. Erin Currie is also a rising star senior associate with excellent technical and legal knowledge. She has been involved in some of the major biotechnology/biologics cases over the years and gets on top of complex sciences. She is very dedicated and great to work with. ’
Key clients
- Exscientia
- Haleon
- Kwoya Kirin International
- Shionogi
- Bayer
- GSK
- Grünenthal
- Life Healthcare
- Exponent Private Equity
- Reckitt
Work highlights
Retained by Exscientia to advise on its strategic AI-drug discovery collaborations including advising on its USD674 million AI drug discovery collaboration with Merck KGaA
Advising Bayer on the enforcement and defence of its patents across Europe protecting Xarelto®, its highest-selling product.
Advised Haleon on the divestiture of its Lamisil brand across 70+ jurisdictions to Karo Healthcare AB
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.
Jim Ford
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Rafi Allos
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Megan McMellon
Practice head
Jim Ford
Other key lawyers
Marjan Noor; Rafi Allos; Mark Ridgway; Nigel Parker; f Megan McMellon; Gemma Barrett; Alex Shandro; Tom Edwards; Erin Currie