CMS launches Beijing office to tap China's life sciences sector

The office will initially focus on Beijing’s burgeoning lifesciences sector and will be spearheaded by UK IP life sciences head Nick Beckett, who has relocated to Beijing to manage the new office.

The launch marks CMS’s second foray into the Asian market, having already set up shop in Shanghai in early 2010 (6 January 2010). This office was part of a joint venture between Camerons and its European alliance partners French firm CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre and CMS Hasche Sigle in Germany.

Commenting on the new office opening, Beckett said: “China’s an especially attractive mergers and acquisitions destination for European and US drug-makers hoping to ride out the wave of imminent patent expirations.

“It’s a prime location for companies looking to diversify their pipelines and make up for any shortfall. Our office further enhances our ability to assist clients in these ‘pharmerging’ regions with cutting edge life sciences expertise.”

The launch of the new office will bring the number of CMS lawyers practising in China to more than 30.

The announcement follows the news last week that the firm has opened an office in Dubai to take advantage of the country’s growing regional energy market. The team will be led by London energy partner Matthew Culver, who is relocating to the Middle East, and partner Stephen Millar, who was previously based in Aberdeen (17 September 2012).

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