Life sciences regulatory

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

“Truly excellent – top of the field. Wonderful people skills here and the congenial atmosphere within the firm brings real results because of a free approach to discussing difficult technical and legal matters at all levels. And real strength in depth, from associates up to partners.”

Legal 500 2027

“The team has shown a strong ability to balance legal analysis with practical commercial considerations, which is essential in the pharmaceutical patent enforcement context where settlement and negotiation are often the preferred outcome.”

Legal 500 2027

“Across the board, the Bristows team has been highly responsive to requests and tight timelines. Whether it is turning around settlement drafts, preparing enforcement letters, or providing strategic advice on short notice, the team consistently delivers…”

Legal 500 2027

“Bristows consistently demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the complex pharmaceutical science underpinning our patent portfolio. The team engages with the technical detail at a level that inspires confidence and enables effective advocacy…”

Legal 500 2027

“Bristows is one of the top UK IP patent practices. The size and breadth of the team are excellent, particularly the quality of the talent…”

Legal 500 2027

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's headshot
Alex Denoon
Partner – Life sciences regulatory