Life sciences

As life sciences legal specialists with backgrounds in chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, physics and engineering, we understand what matters more than most.

 

Bristows has one of the most highly-regarded life sciences practices in the world.

We have a true multi-disciplinary team of over 80 lawyers focused on providing top quality services to life sciences companies. Our areas of expertise include our renowned IP, regulatory, competition, transactional, dispute resolution and data protection teams. We are passionate about our clients’ technologies and curious about their businesses. We work together as a single team, as we believe that the strength of each practice complements the others to provide a fully integrated and comprehensive service.

Our life sciences specialists have diverse technical backgrounds including biology, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, microbiology, nanotechnology, genetics, neuroscience, physics and engineering.

We pride ourselves on the breadth of our client base in the sector and actively seek to advise a broad array of stakeholders in the life sciences eco-system. We act for pharmaceutical companies, biotech and medtech companies, specialist investors, universities and research institutes, specialist service providers and government funded bodies.

We believe that these different perspectives help us to best advise our clients and give us true expertise in relation to the sector and where it is heading.

Expertise

Explore our insights and expertise in just some of the most innovative areas of technology which are changing the way we live and do business.

Insights

Life sciences blog

Key contacts

The depth of our expertise in the life sciences sector is matched by its breadth. We have specialists across all our practice groups, so we can support you whatever your legal requirements.

What others say

“Bristows is a very good firm, particularly in coordinating multi-jurisdictional litigation. They have a good network of colleagues across Europe.”

Chambers and Partners Europe 2024

“They are really great, client-centric, and very knowledgeable about the industry. The Bristows team comes up with pragmatic solutions, and adds a personal touch to advice. They have a solid team across the board. I do not see them as just there to make a profit. They are efficient and true partners.”

Chambers and Partners Europe 2024

“They are very strong in the life sciences area with deep understanding of the regulations and requirements. They deliver as promised, are friendly to work with and communicate clearly and openly.”

Chambers and Partners 2024

“One of the UK’s leading life sciences practices. Across the firm, there is tremendous strength in depth. Great understanding of the market through acting for a wide range of clients.”

Legal 500 2024

“A ‘truly exceptional’ [Life sciences] practice which assists clients with the full gamut of commercial, regulatory and IP-related issues.”

Legal 500 2024

“The Bristows Life Science team is truly exceptional and delivers high quality legal work thanks to their knowledge of the law, the industry and their technical skills.”

Legal 500 2024

“Bristows has always been a first choice for life sciences clients.”

Juve UK 2023

“They are excellent, they have really good work and nice people there.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Their reputation is well deserved.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Bristows provides very strong and pragmatic advice founded on a deep understanding of the life sciences sector.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Bristows is known for its deep bench of high-calibre litigators with supreme expertise in contentious patent, trade mark, designs and copyright matters. The team is particularly sought after for biosimilars and telecommunications litigation, and is frequently instructed for standard-essential patent-related disputes. The Bristows IP team is also distinguished for its work on the commercialisation of IP at the vanguard of life sciences and technology, and is additionally recommended for its trade mark prosecution service.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Consistently at the forefront of the market, dealing with precedent setting cases or managing multi-jurisdictional matters, the team advises high-profile global clients in the technology and life sciences sectors on commercial, regulatory, competition, and contentious matters.”

Legal 500 2023

“‘I use Bristows for its expertise in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors and for its unrivalled knowledge of topics, responsiveness and timeliness of its pragmatic and client-focused advice. Its lawyers take the time to get to know and understand the client’s business so they can tailor their advice to the client’s particular circumstances. They think long term and not simply about the immediate challenges.”

 

Legal 500 2023

“The Bristows team members are not only exceptionally good at a professional level, but, at the same time, very easy to talk to and discuss with. They always have an open ear for the client’s needs and are happy to brainstorm.”

Legal 500 2023

“The team has exceptional knowledge of the life sciences space. It acts for a broad range of industry players and has a deep understanding of market practice.”

Legal 500 2023

“Justified reputation as one of, if not the, leading firms for IP life sciences. Excellent reputation in the UK and beyond – widely respected throughout Europe for coordinating multi-jurisdictional disputes.”

Legal 500 2023

“Bristows LLP is ‘widely respected throughout Europe for coordinating multi-jurisdictional disputes’ and has ‘a justified reputation as one of the leading firms for IP life sciences work’.”

Legal 500 2023

“The Bristows team is probably the best in the business when it comes to competition litigation in a pharmaceutical or broader IP space. The patent and competition lawyers work seamlessly together. The competition litigators are experienced, thoughtful and brilliant. These are the people you want on the most difficult or important cases.”

Legal 500 2023

“Lauded by clients for its ‘experienced, thoughtful and brilliant‘ capabilities at the intersection of IP and competition litigation, Bristows LLP is particularly well regarded for its technology and life sciences acumen.”

Legal 500 2023

“Bristows LLP is well-versed at advising investee and investor stakeholders, on mandates throughout the investment life cycle, particularly in the firm’s sector specialisms.”

Legal 500 2023

“Bristows LLP’s corporate practice is well-regarded for handling transactions for life sciences and technology businesses, and the department’s client base includes a number of FTSE 100 companies.”

Legal 500 2023

“Longstanding expertise in the technology and life sciences sectors.”

Legal 500 2023

“Particularly strong in the technology and life sciences sector, with aptitude for the full range of domestic and international transactions.”

Legal 500 2023

“Excellent knowledge in the life sciences and technology space. The team is reliable and strong at all levels. I enjoy working with the team.”

Legal 500 2023

“Bristows LLP’s ‘excellent knowledge of the life sciences and technology space’ attracts a high-profile roster of clients including Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca and Facebook.”

Legal 500 2023

“We appreciate the technical knowledge and skills the Bristows partners have when it comes to the patent.”

Chambers and Partners Europe 2022

“We appreciate the technical knowledge and skills the Bristows partners have when it comes to the patent.”

Chambers and Partners 2022

“They are all accomplished litigators with a particular strength in life sciences cases.”

Legal 500 2022

“The individuals live and breathe their subject matter, know the industry inside out and are supported by their excellent regulatory and competition colleagues, which helps them stand out in global pharma litigation.”

Legal 500 2022

“Probably the best UK-focused IP and TMT firm around.”

Legal 500 2022

Recent rankings and awards

Life Sciences (Europe wide) - Band 4

Life Sciences & Pharmaceutical Sector (International & Cross-Border) - Band 3

Life Sciences (Europe wide) - Band 4

Life Sciences: IP/Patent Litigation - Band 1

Life Sciences: Transactional - Band 2

Life Sciences and Healthcare - Tier 1