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 cross-disciplinary team of over 80 lawyers in this space encompassing our renowned IP practice, regulatory, competition, transactional, dispute resolution, IT and data protection teams. The strength of each individual practice complements the others to provide a fully integrated and comprehensive service.

Our life sciences specialists - many with backgrounds in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics and neuroscience - work with leading clients across the private, public and academic sectors.

We pride ourselves on the breadth of our client base in the sector and actively seek to advise clients from the different key participants making up the life sciences eco-system. As such we act for global pharma, specialist investors, growing biotech and medtech companies, universities and research institutes, specialist service providers and government funded bodies. Our clients also include tech companies now entering the sector as convergence takes hold.

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.

Pharma

Pharma

Consistently ranked in the top tier of legal directories, we remain at the forefront of legal developments in the pharma industry.

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Biotech

Biotech

We have been involved in the biotech sector since the earliest days of its emergence and have stayed close to the industry throughout the years, advising on a wide range of legal issues.

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Devices & Medtech

Devices & Medtech

With one of the most highly regarded life sciences practices in the world, and a market-leading technology practice, convergence is an exciting area for us - and we are always at the forefront of developments where digital technology and healthcare come together.

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Food & agriculture

Food & agriculture

We act for a number of clients operating in the plant or agricultural industry on a wide range of matters. We also have a deep understanding of the science involved as many of our lawyers have science degrees including biology and biochemistry.

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What others say

“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

“[The regulatory team] are committed to not only giving high quality advice but also supporting education and upskilling within the client team to support continuous learning and improvement.”

Legal 500 2022

“Partners are very hands-on, always available and a pleasure to work with.”

Legal 500 2022

“The quality that Bristows provides is exceptionally high.”

Legal 500 2022

“They have a perfect understanding of the client’s needs and a diverse team of experts to fulfil these.”

Legal 500 2022

“Apart from their outstanding professional skills, all team members are very approachable and always open for a quick discussion.”

Legal 500 2022

Recent ranking and awards

Life Sciences: IP/Patent Litigation - Band 1

Life Sciences: Transactional - Band 2

Life Sciences and Healthcare - Tier 1

Life Sciences - Band 1

Life Sciences & Pharmaceutical Sector (International & Cross-border) - Band 2

Life Sciences - Band 4

Life Sciences - Band 4

Best Life Sciences Law Firm - Europe

Life Sciences

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