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

“…What truly distinguishes the team is their unwavering commitment to our matters and their genuine enthusiasm for complex, cross-border patent work.”

Chambers & Partners UK 2027

“Bristows is an excellent firm. They have an excellent team with extensive knowledge of litigation both in the English courts and in other countries, including in particularly difficult jurisdictions…”

Chambers & Partners UK 2027

“They are super-responsive to our needs and requests. Bristows lawyers are very skilled. They immediately understand what we are looking for and what we need.”

Chambers & Partners UK 2027

“The lawyers are all amazing. Bristows are one of the top IP firms because of their strength in depth. It doesn’t matter who you go to, you will get an excellent service.”

Chambers & Partners UK 2027

“They are super-responsive to our needs and requests. Bristows lawyers are very skilled. They immediately understand what we are looking for and what we need.”

Chambers & Partners UK 2027

Recent rankings and awards

Life Sciences: Regulatory - Band 2

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

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