Fielding a ‘business minded’ team, NautaDutilh acts for pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device clients on transactional matters, patent disputes and class action claims. The team is spearheaded by the ’extremely experienced’ Ruud Smits, who assists start-ups, scale-ups and investors with financing and broader deal-related work. Paul van der Bijl is a standout expert on high-value capital markets deals and public M&A in the life sciences space. Stijn Franken and Thijs van Aerde, who joined the firm in November 2024, are key contacts on contentious mandates. Former practice co-head Jeroen Boelens departed the firm in July 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Ruud Smits is our go to. He has a ton of experience, is an absolute specialist in the life sciences VC sector.’
- ‘The team is knowledgeable and has a lot of experience in the life sciences VC sector.’
- ‘Responsive, good listeners, open minded, business minded.'
- ‘The partnership has a core of excellent lawyers, supported by likewise well trained professionals.'
- ‘Consistently great team, that always is available and up to speed.'
- ‘Ruud Smits is an extremely experienced lawyer with a deep knowledge of the healthcare and life sciences sector. He is innovative in his solutions and supportive of internal teams.’
Key clients
- Forbion
- NewAmsterdam Pharma Company N.V.
- Pharvaris
- GSK
- Adcytherix
- Avania
- EQT Life Sciences
- The Protein Brewery
- Lumicks
- Mimetas
- Onera Health
- Galenicum
Work highlights
Assisted Stichting Ontwikkelfonds voor Organoïden on the sale of HUB Organoids to Merck KGaA.
Represented both Sandoz and Teva in a patent dispute against Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) concerning BMS’s patent EP 415.
Assisted CureVac as legal counsel on BioNTech’s $1.25bn strategic transaction to acquire CureVac in a public exchange offer.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Ruud Smits
Other key lawyers
Paul van der Bijl; Stijn Franken; Thijs van Aerde; Joppe Schoute; Lauren Delleman