Life sciences

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

Expertise Blog: On the Pulse Events Key contacts

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.

Artificial intelligence

Cell & Gene Therapies

Digital health

Devices & Healthtech

Pharma &
Biotech

Life sciences regulatory

On the Pulse:

Views on matters shaping life sciences

View all On the Pulse posts

Events

The Science Series

Two-part series for in-house lawyers within life sciences companies.

Life Sciences Summit 2023

Publications

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

“‘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 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

“[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

“Keen young team that is happy to go the extra mile. Easy to use. I try other teams but keep returning to them. Part of a market leading life sciences practice. They understand what we do.”
Legal 500 2022

Bristows “have a well organised database and network of specialists in other countries to deal with multinational issues.”
Legal 500 2022

“Bristows remains top tier, resulting from the depth of strength throughout the partners (and indeed across the whole group).”
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.”
Legal 500 2022

“The Bristows regulatory team are solution-oriented, practical lawyers which is a differentiator when looking for regulatory counsel.”
Legal 500 2022

“As well as its core EU and competition expertise, Bristows brings a deep sectoral knowledge to bear on all issues it advises on.”
Legal 500 2022

“Very attuned to market developments, the team is able to provide highly tailored and insightful advice.”
Legal 500 2022

“Bristows is strong in building up an efficient team which consists of specialists in different fields so that a client can receive exactly what they want.”
Legal 500 2022

“There is a huge wealth of talent in the team, as well as a deep understanding of the sector and current trends. This ability to contextualise the legal advice given is immeasurably beneficial to clients.”
Legal 500 2022

“Experienced, knowledgeable and well-connected, good at the practical application of competition law.”
Legal 500 2022

“Bristows are always there when we need them, no matter the challenges.”
Legal 500 2022

“Bristows was a valued partner in the success of making our vision become a reality.”
Stephanie Morris, Director of Industry Partnerships and Commercialisation at Imperial College London

“They enabled a very positive conclusion to the overall deal.”
Richard Fagan, Director of BioPharma at UCL Business

“Their expertise made them the perfect partner to work with on the highly complex Apollo transaction.”
Richard Fagan, Director of BioPharma at UCL Business

Life sciences