Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP advises biotech, medical devices, and pharma clients, with notable strength in transactional matters, including M&A, collaboration, and financing. The firm also handles regulatory matters and IP, including due diligence and litigation. The practice is led by Washington DC’s Michele Buenafe, experienced in medical devices and digital health regulations, compliance, and enforcement. Also in DC, Kathleen Sanzo is a regulatory and compliance issues expert, with Princeton’s Alan Leeds negotiating transactions and complex collaborations. Both Chicago-based, Michael Abernathy focuses on patent, trade secret, and antitrust litigation, whereas Christopher Betti concentrates on IP prosecution and portfolio management. Both in Chicago and San Francisco is Benjamin Pensak, working on collaborations such as acquisitions, licensing, and joint ventures. Litigator Brian Shaffer and corporate ethics and compliance expert Amy Schuh are both in Philadelphia. Stephen Forster joined the DC office from an in-house role, focusing on compliance counseling and transactions related to drug pricing. Arriving from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is Boston-based Stephen Hall, a trial lawyer and litigator focused on commercial disputes and product liability.
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Key clients
- Bausch Health Companies Inc.
- Merck
- Philips RS North America
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals and its affiliates
- Xencor
- Cigna Health and Life Insurance Co.
Work highlights
- Advised Xencor in a matter in which the USPTO’s Appeals Review Panel (ARP) agreed that a means-plus function format could be used to claim antibodies.
- Secured a favorable settlement for Takeda Pharmaceuticals in a lawsuit brought by drug wholesalers alleging a conspiracy among defendants to restrain trade and monopolize an alleged market for gout drug Colcrys® and its AB-rated generics.
- Represents Philips RS North America for all FDA legal and regulatory issues related to the ongoing voluntary recall of certain CPAP, BiPAP, and mechanical ventilator devices, the subsequent FDA inspection, communications, and actions, and follow-on civil litigation and Department of Justice subpoenas.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Kathleen Sanzo
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Benjamin Pensak
Practice head
Michele Buenafe, Ben Pensak, Kathleen Sanzo, Michael Abernathy, Alan Leeds, Amy Schuh, Brian Shaffer, Christopher Betti
Other key lawyers
Stephen Hall; Stephen Forster