Life sciences investment group Abingworth has hired a new general counsel, poaching John Heard from Intel’s venture capital arm, Intel Capital.

Heard will replace former general counsel Clare Wilkinson, who left to take the top legal job at Omega Fund Management.

Heard was European legal counsel at Intel Capital for six years, joining from US firm Hughes Hubbard & Reed where he was an associate.

At Intel, Heard specialised in legal advice on capital venture financing deals for start-up technology companies.

He will carry out a similar role at Abingworth, but focusing on the life sciences sector. The company has more $750m invested in this area.

Heard is a rated venture capital lawyer and has helped publish a set of model documents in the UK with the British Venture Capital Association.