

Life Sciences
Our global Life Sciences practice comprises a multi-disciplinary team. We act for companies and their investors across the industry, including in the pharmaceuticals, biotech, veterinary, medtech, diagnostics and healthcare sectors.
The practice operates on a cross-border basis and covers the full spectrum of legal support. We advise on mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions (including licensing and collaborations), IP (both contentious and non-contentious), capital markets and finance, regulatory and dispute resolution. Our international network ensures that we have a ready resource of expertise in a number of jurisdictions, including those in emerging markets, and that we are well positioned to advise on cross-border work.
We have won a reputation for providing far-sighted advice to some of the world’s leading life science companies – including GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, UCB, Merck, Bayer and Novartis.
Explore our sectors
News & insights

Publications: 14 March 2022
Podcast: Strategies when litigating divisional patents
Why are divisional patent applications important to consider when litigating a parent patent?

Publications: 12 January 2022
The UK National Security and Investment Act 2021: the impact on M&A
The mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape in the UK changed on 4 January 2022 when the National Security and Investment Act 2021 (the Act) came fully into force. The following article has been…

Publications: 16 November 2021
The UK’s trade remedies regime
The creation of an independent UK trade remedies regime is a critical and under-reported aspect of the UK’s new trade policy. Going forward, the UK’s newfound ability to shape its own trade remedies…

Publications: 07 October 2021
Record-breaking M&A run continues at pace
Dealmaking across the globe continues to break records, as investors take advantage of benign market conditions to deploy capital at an accelerating pace.
Recognition
I have used Allen & Overy for coordinating EU cases. They have extensive knowledge of coordinating litigation.
Clients quoted in Chambers Global 2021 (Life Sciences: Global-wide)
They are well equipped to explain and navigate the different local jurisdictions to help towards a better understanding of various markets.
Client quoted in Chambers Europe 2021 (Intellectual Property: Europe-wide)
Strong European offering with noted expertise in IP and patent litigation matters. Well regarded for its impressive client portfolio, which spans the pharmaceutical, biotechechnology, medtech, diagnostics and healthcare industries. Also offers impressive expertise in commercial transactions and M&A.
Chambers Global 2018 (Life Sciences: Global-wide)
Related links
Life Sciences Hub
We report on EU and national regulatory, compliance, intellectual property and transactional developments in the sector.
Read moreCRISPR microsite
The characterisation and optimisation of the CRISPR (also known as CRISPR-Cas) system for gene editing and other applications, is undoubtedly one of the most powerful and ground breaking advances in the history of biotechnology.
Go to micrositeGrowth Capital microsite
Allen & Overy is an engaged and active player in the growth company ecosystem.
Go to micrositeDownload our sector brochure

Our Life Sciences and Healthcare sector focus 2022
Related content

Global trends in merger control enforcement
Record levels in the first half of 2018 and considerable contraction in the second.