Life Sciences

The challenges facing today’s biotechnology and medical device companies are greater than ever. For companies to be able to develop and commercialize promising therapies, they must maneuver in a complex regulatory landscape, including patent and intellectual property considerations and protection, competition law, clinical trial regulations, market access in terms of obtaining marketing authorizations, pricing and tendering/procurement, as other regulatory and reputational aspects and risks. Furthermore, the last few years have seen increasing pressure from many sides: demand for greater shareholder return, loss of key revenue streams due to patent expiration or generic challenges, fierce competition in key therapeutic areas, pricing pressures from authorities and health care payers, increased government regulation beyond core safety issues, rising costs of R&D, and aggressive government enforcement action.

DLA Piper's life sciences team comprises lawyers with legal, scientific and medical knowledge who understand the complexity of the business and regulatory environments in which our clients operate. Our life sciences sector team is one of the largest and most active of any law firm. Operating as one team across more than 40 jurisdictions, we combine subject matter experience with considerable knowledge of the sector, including the scientific, medical, regulatory, commercial and enforcement environments facing our biopharmaceutical, medical device, research and diagnostics clients.

Recognising that our clients’ needs vary, we rapidly organise and customise our client service teams, whether for a large pharmaceutical company, a mid-sized medical device client or a development-stage biotech company. These teams are supported by international and local practitioners to efficiently meet the demands of the matter.

DLA Piper's life science practice includes litigation, compliance and investigations, IP strategy and enforcement, M&A, licensing and distribution, clinical trial advice. We also support clients across all other areas needed to address risk, including competition law, public procurement, government affairs and contracts, environmental law, import/export, tax, real estate and employment law.