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Our life sciences regulatory practice advises clients across the sector in relation to the development and commercialisation of medicinal products, medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and digital health technologies.

As most of our lawyers have spent some time in-house, we understand the priorities faced by our clients in the day-to-day running of their business and navigating the national and EU framework.

We advise leading international companies on the full range of strategic issues arising during the life cycle of a product, from its development to its commercialisation. This encompasses advising, amongst other things, on clinical trials, marketing authorisations, CE Marking, recalls, the legal implications of parallel trade and market access.

“Regulatory IP” rights are a vital issue for our clients and we help clients analyse their products in development together with the IP regulatory rights available under the regulatory legal framework (such as regulatory data protection, orphan exclusivities, SPC and paediatric rewards).

We have a deep understanding of the challenges that medical device and IVD companies face in light of the MDR (and IVDR) revolution.

Our team represents clients before the national and European courts as well as before the competent authorities, including the European Commission, the European and UK medicines authorities (EMA and MHRA), Notified Bodies, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the Department of Health, NHS England, the HFEA and the HTA.

We have a particular specialisation in more challenging issues such as cell and gene therapies, synthetic biology, genomics, borderline products and the use of AI.

Our team has conducted regulatory due diligence on behalf of clients acquiring or investing in businesses across the sector. We draw upon a deep sector knowledge to identify legal and regulatory risks as well as assessing them, whilst maintaining a commercial focus to resolve these potential issues.

Experience

Our client is trialling its approved medicine in two novel indications which will significantly expand the market. We analysed the “regulatory IP” opportunities for the expanded markets, which involved considerations of regulatory data protection, biosimilars and SPCs. We worked with our competition team to finalise the advice.

For some years, we have helped our client navigate multiple regulatory hurdles to develop an innovative system to deliver medicines directly into the brain. The therapy poses multiple challenges for regulators, but promises to revolutionise conditions ranging from Parkinson’s to glioma.

On the Pulse: Life sciences regulatory

Related topics: Artificial intelligence | Cell & Gene Therapies | Devices & Healthtech | Digital health | Pharma & Biotech

What others say

“They have a very pragmatic yet detailed approach; they get to the point quickly and deliver advice that is easily shared and implemented with commercial colleagues.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2026

“They have an excellent depth of knowledge and experience in both the law and the MedTech industry. They are always responsive and attentive.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2026

“Bristows’s patents team isn’t governed by billing targets as others are, so they have the time to get to grips with the tech in a very deep way.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2026

“They have an excellent depth of knowledge and experience in both the law and the MedTech industry. They are always responsive and attentive.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2026

“Excellent team with strength in depth in the life sciences and tech space. Strong market knowledge. Responsive and solution-focused.”

Legal 500 2026

Recent rankings and awards

Life Sciences: IP/Patent Litigation - Band 1

Life Sciences: Regulatory - Band 2

Life Sciences & Pharmaceutical Sector (International & Cross-Border) (UK)

Life Sciences (Europe)

Life Sciences: Transactional - Band 2

Life Sciences and Healthcare - Tier 1

Life Sciences: Transactional - Band 2

Life Sciences (Europe wide)

Life Sciences (Europe wide)

Key contacts

Xisca Borras
Xisca Borrás
Partner – Life sciences regulatory
Alex Denoon
Partner – Life sciences regulatory