Herbert Smith sets sights on healthcare

Herbert Smith has set up a pharmaceutical and healthcare group which pulls together the existing expertise of seven partners.

But the partners will not concentrate entirely on this area of law, said associated partner, Bill Moodie.

Clients include Boeghringer Manheim, Hoffman Laroche and some work for Zeneca. The group will be touting for work among smaller pharmaceutical firms and service companies. Blue chip drugs manufacturers are increasingly outsourcing work to these companies.

Christopher Tootal, an intellectual property and patent expert, has been involved in the industry for the past 30 years.

IP partners Andrew Rich and Mark Shillito are also in the group. Regulatory experience will be provided by Elizabeth McKnight, while advice on flotations and venture capital will come from David Willis and Tim Steadman.

The move follows the establishment three months ago of a specialist service for the drugs industry at Morgan Bruce.