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.
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News & insights
Publications: 24 JUNE 2020
Covid-19 coronavirus: How the global life sciences sector is responding to the pandemic
Our life sciences sector team reviews the steps taken by the industry and public bodies to minimise disruption to regular business activities and to promote the development and supply of medicines and…
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Publications: 19 JUNE 2020
European Commission targets foreign subsidies causing market distortions
As part of a broader effort to reshape the EU’s trade policy, the European Commission (EC) proposes to expand its toolbox to tackle foreign subsidies undermining the level playing field in the EU’s…
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Publications: 11 MAY 2020
Data as a critical asset in the health sector
Laurie-Anne Ancenys, Counsel, Head of the Paris Tech & Data practice, and Juliette Olliveaud, Associate, look at how the ever-growing volume of data in our digital world presents both challenges and…
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Publications: 04 OCTOBER 2019
Outstanding performance by A&O in global M&A league tables
A&O has marked the end of Q3 2019 with an outstanding performance in the M&A league tables; the result of advising on a number of complex, high-value transactions in a wide range of sectors and…
Read moreRecognition
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)
Fast and to-the-point advice and counselling... they have the understanding to adapt to what's needed.
Clients quoted in Chambers Europe 2017 (Life Sciences: Europe-wide)
The lawyers we worked with were uniformly excellent… it was great to work with a firm that had strong local counsel in several countries.
Client quoted in Chambers Europe 2017 (Intellectual Property: Europe-wide)
Related links
Life Sciences Hub
We report on EU and national regulatory, compliance, intellectual property and transactional developments in the sector.
View the blogCRISPR 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 micrositeCannabis microsite
According to UN estimates, the global cannabis market is currently worth approximately USD150 billion annually.
Go to micrositeDownload our sector brochure
An insight in to our Life Science and Healthcare sector 2020
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Global trends in merger control enforcement
Record levels in the first half of 2018 and considerable contraction in the second.