Pharma/Biotech
The Lawyer
Cambridge Technology and Life Sciences Update — May 2013 weblink
Taylor Wessing has released the May 2013 edition of its Cambridge Technology and Life Sciences Update.
Data Protection Policies — update from Global Data Hub weblink
Taylor Wessing has added a fresh batch of data-protection-focused content to its Global Data Hub site.
Health Alert — 6 May 2013 download
The 6 May 2013 issue of DLA Piper’s Health Alert publication is available now.
Health Alert — 13 May 2013 download
The 13 May 2013 issue of DLA Piper’s Health Alert publication is available now.
Healthcare advertising in the UAE download
Many changes are afoot in respect of healthcare and pharmaceuticals in the UAE. There is a real push to improve standards relating to health and medicine across the board.
DLA Piper advises Healthcare Buying Group on its acquisition of DBG
DLA Piper has advised Healthcare Buying Group on its acquisition of DBG (UK) from Synova Capital.
Patients First and Foremost, the government’s initial response to the Francis Report weblink
Patients First and Foremost, the government’s initial response to the Francis Report, was published just before Easter.
STARK 101: essential questions for every Stark analysis download
This article offers some simple tools to help guide compliance officers, executives, new lawyers and others in evaluating whether Stark may prohibit a proposed or existing arrangement.
Procurement Update — Spring 2013 weblink
The spring 2013 issue of Walker Morris’s Procurement Update covers topics such as the EU procurement reforms, the Utilities Directive and NHS healthcare services.
The Law Sciences Law Review — first edition download
The Life Sciences Law Review explores legal issues of special interest to pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies in 27 jurisdictions.
Implications of OIG’s fraud alert on current PODs and their customers and suppliers weblink
OIG’s ‘Special Fraud Alert on Physician-Owned Entities’ is the strongest statement to date that investing in or doing business with a POD is a significant Antikickback law risk.
Government consults on compulsory data protection audits for NHS download
The government has launched a consultation on whether NHS organisations should be made subject to compulsory data protection audits.
Ashurst joins US and Irish firms as Elan rejects Royalty Pharma bid
A raft of Irish, UK and US firms have won roles on the battle for control of Irish biotechnology company Elan, which yesterday rejected an offer from Royalty Pharma.
A second stem cell patentability case is referred to the CJEU download
Henry Carr QC, sitting as a deputy High Court judge in the Patents Court, has made only the second reference to the CJEU for a preliminary ruling on the patentability of stem cells.
Responsible commissioner: making sense of the new rules and guidance download
This briefing is intended to cut through the pages of small print and to see where CCGs will stand in the new world order when it comes to planning and securing services for patients.
When re-litigating a patent may be permitted download
In Resolution v Lundbeck, Arnold J has allowed Resolution Chemicals Ltd to pursue its own revocation proceedings against Lundbeck’s SPC/GB02/049 protecting escitalopram.
Synapse — Law for Life Sciences — April 2013 weblink
Taylor Wessing has released the April 2013 edition of Synapse, its publication dedicated to law for life sciences.
Chambers and Partners 2013 ranks Hogan Lovells' life-sciences practice in band one
Hogan Lovells’ global life-sciences practice has been placed in band one for the second year running in the Chambers and Partners Global 2013 rankings.
Mourant Ozannes advises group of investors on sale and leaseback of 12 private hospitals
Mourant Ozannes has advised a consortium of investors on the £700m sale and leaseback of 12 UK private hospitals from the Spire Healthcare Group.
US FDA’s changing culture: what every food company needs to know download
The US Food and Drug Administration is undergoing a major culture change, and nowhere is that impact being felt more than in the food industry.
Data & Information E-Alerts — 28 March 2013 weblink
The latest issue of Data & Information E-Alerts is available now from Addleshaw Goddard.
Advertising jury on warnings for medical products download
Interpretation of section 25 of the Self Regulation Code of Marketing Communication.
CMS provides opportunity to comment on certain elements of Sunshine regulations download
The CMS provides stakeholders with the opportunity to comment on certain aspects of the Sunshine final rule that were not raised in the proposed rule.
Comparative advertising and medical products download
Comparative advertising in the UAE.
Arnold J describes SPC system as 'dysfunctional' download
Arnold J says the SPC system is dysfunctional as it cannot be applied consistently by local patent offices.
Synapse: Law for Life Sciences — March 2013 weblink
This month on Synapse, Taylor Wessing discusses the impact of insolvency on licensors and licensees in the life sciences sector.
Medical device alert download
The US FDA has issued new draft guidance on distinguishing medical device recalls from product enhancements.
Synapse February 2013 focuses on injunctions against pharma patent infringement
Taylor Wessing discusses injunctions against pharma patent infringement.
Chinese SOE unable to extricate itself from US antitrust litigation against vitamin C exporters download
Judge’s decision illustrates the risks that Chinese parent companies face when doing business in the US through affiliates.
Life sciences
The Curtis Life Sciences group provides a wide range of legal services to clients in the life sciences sector, including manufacturers, funds and institutions.
Pharmaceutical law
Our pharma team is highly knowledgeable about the process of development, testing and commercialisation of pharmaceutical products and their entire lifecycle.
China trade marks — inclusion of retail and wholesale services relating to medicines and pharmaceuticals download
The China Trade Marks Office recently announced that from 1 January 2013 it is accepting applications to register trade marks in relation to retail or wholesale services for pharmaceutical, veterinary and sanitary preparations and medical supplies only in class 35.
China life sciences newsletter — Winter 2012 download
Welcome to the Fall/Winter 2012 issue of our China Life Sciences Newsletter, a periodic update on key developments, companies, and people in the dynamic China life sciences industry.
European Medicines Agency jeopardizes investments in drug development download
The heart of a marketing authorisation application is the pre-clinical and clinical data that proves the drug’s safety and efficacy.
Judgment of the EU Court of Justice in AstraZeneca v Commission download
On 6 December 2012, the EU Court of Justice dismissed AstraZeneca’s appeal of the General Court’s judgment in AstraZeneca v Commission.
Actavis GC to step down as US rival acquires company
The general counsel of Swiss generic drugmaker Actavis is to step down from the role as US rival Watson Pharmaceuticals acquires the company for €4.25bn (£3.4bn).
Weight Watchers launches European healthcare panel review
Weight Watchers has launched a tender process for a UK and Europe healthcare panel as the slimming group prepares to expand its business of working with state and commercial organisations in the sector.
US quartet snatches jobs on $2.6bn pharmaceuticals purchase
US firms Latham & Watkins, Skadden Arps Meagher & Flom, Sullivan & Cromwell and Weil Gotshal & Manges have all won roles advising on Valeant Pharmaceuticals’ $2.6bn (£1.6bn) acquisition of dermatology drugmaker Medicis Pharmaceutical.
Field Fisher ramps up US focus with launch of Palo Alto base
Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) has launched a representative office in Silicon Valley in a bid to clinch work originating in the Californian technology hub.
Clifford Chance and Linklaters among firms on Cinven's £465m pharma deal
Clifford Chance and Linklaters were part of a string of City firms advising on private equity group Cinven’s £465m acquisition of generic drugs company Mercury Pharma from HgCapital.
FCPA update — July 2012 download
In this issue: the SFO’s latest bribery related settlement; The difficulty of recovering damages from the government when an FCPA prosecution misfires; German High Court ruling on pharmaceutical industry and doctors.
Novartis unveils panel designed to build 'long-term partnerships'
Novartis has announced the results of its first panel review since the company’s $40bn takeover of Alcon, with three magic circle firms – Allen & Overy, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Linklaters – securing spots on the global roster along with two US firms.
Royal Pharmaceutical Society invites tenders for first panel
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is looking to put together its first legal panel, with the move coming shortly after the arrival of its first general counsel.
HogLove boosts life sciences team with NautaDutilh hires
Hogan Lovells has boosted its global life sciences practice with the hire of partner Carla Schoonderbeek and her team of five associates from NautaDutilh.
Camerons and Freshfields lead on £8bn pharma deal
CMS Cameron McKenna and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer secured prize mandates on the €9.6bn (£8.4bn) sale of Swiss drug company Nycomed to the Japanese Takeda Pharmaceutical Company.
Weil and Ropes lead on Sanofi's £12bn Genzyme acquisition
A quartet of international firms has scooped lead roles as French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis finalised its $20.1bn (£12.47bn) acquisition of US company Genzyme.
Pharma buy
Despite global economic conditions, deal-making by large pharmaceutical companies has remained relatively buoyant, say Daniel Pavin, Grant Castle and Alexandra Pygall.
Life investing
The UK life sciences industry is a world leader, but the lack of appetite from domestic investors is potentially threatening the development of life-saving medicines, says Simon Wallwork
Beachcroft hire paves way for health practice
Beachcroft is to install a healthcare consultancy unit after appointing the former chair of the Healthcare Commission Sir Ian Kennedy as a consultant.
Kurt Geiger counsel steps back into pharma
Kurt Geiger general counsel Suzanne Smith is to leave the company to return to the pharmaceuticals sector, joining global biotechnology corporation Genzyme.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher scores role on £2.5bn pharma M&A job
Willkie Farr & Gallagher has advised US dermatology company Stiefel Laboratories on its $3.6bn (£2.5bn) takeover by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
