Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences

Farrer & Co is a trusted legal partner in the healthcare and life sciences sector. With regulatory pressures increasing against an ever-advancing backdrop of medical and technological developments, our team of professionals provides tailored legal solutions to help our clients navigate legal complexities, and foster innovation and growth. Our expertise spans our IP, contract, data protection, regulatory, corporate, not for profit, banking, employment, dispute resolution and real estate teams.

Our work in the healthcare, pharmaceuticals & life sciences sector

Our clients include universities (both in the UK and internationally based), investors (including venture capital and international investors), debt providers, founders, healthcare providers, not for profit organisations and operators.

Our expertise in life sciences includes advising on spin outs, initial structuring, joint ventures and collaboration agreements and fundraisings and in healthcare includes advising on business establishment, property and corporate acquisitions, private equity and debt investment, commercial agreements and ultimately exit.

Recent client highlights include advising:

A developer of thermostable vaccines on its cornerstone supply, manufacturing and distribution agreements and clinical trial arrangements.
A spin-out company focusing on antibiotic resistance breakers on a range of matters including fundraising, co-development and joint venture arrangements, clinical trials and licence agreements.
A spin out company which specialises in the 3D printing of orthopaedic surgical aids on terms of supply and data protection compliance.
The founder of a pharmaceutical company supplying products to the NHS and internationally, on the potential sale of the business.
A major US investor on its investment in UK's first NHS-anchored venture capital fund investing in the UK MedTech and digital health space.
A UK venture capital fund on a potential investment in a leading AI drug discovery platform.
A world-renowned cancer research institute on a suite of documents, ranging from collaboration agreements, licences and revenue shares to clinical trial, human tissue transfers and equipment access agreements.
A leading research organisation on its partnership with its clinical partner hospital to enable greater efficiencies and better research.
A well-known international private hospital group on the establishment of a new London-based clinic.
A nationwide UK human tissue bank on their legal arrangements, deposit arrangements and data protection.
A number of Russell Group universities on the establishment of new medical schools and nursing colleges in the UK, Singapore and the People’s Republic of China.
A major medical research organisation on its obligations to provide disclosure of confidential information in high value pharmaceutical litigation in multiple foreign jurisdictions.
An elite Higher Education Institution on a dispute over a patent following the inadvertent publication of proprietary information.
A medical professional in a dispute with his joint venture partners over patent rights to a medical device;
A healthcare product supplier in preventing the distribution of counterfeit products in China;
A university on a legal claim by the manufacturer of a medical device following the publication of research data concerning the device.
A Canadian Biotech manufacturer in a branding dispute with a UK based start-up.

Our transactional services

Investment in Life Sciences: We advise on investment transactions in life sciences including by way of venture capital funding, licensing and revenue sharing or through start-up or grant based funding.
Healthcare Transactions: We specialise in structuring and negotiating healthcare transactions, leveraging our understanding of both the industry and private capital transactions. ’We help clients secure capital needed for strategic growth and development whether by through private equity or senior or mezzanine debt funding.
Assisted Living and Senior Care: We provide legal support on the development and ongoing operation of assisted living sites. This advice includes property, construction and planning advice, advice on joint venture or equity backed structures with funders and operators, management agreements and debt funding (whether asset or cash flow backed or development finance).

Our advisory services

Life Sciences Innovation and Intellectual Property: We assist with transactions relating to the development, exploitation and transfer of IP rights, including R&D, collaboration, joint venture and licensing arrangements to ensure our clients maximise the value of their intellectual assets. With deep experience advising universities, research institutions and spin outs, the team is well placed to advise on R&D in an academic or industry context.
Telemedicine and Digital Health: Embracing the future of healthcare, we offer legal guidance on telemedicine and digital health initiatives. Our team ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, data protection laws, and the integration of technology to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.

Our dispute and regulatory services

Dispute Resolution in healthcare and Life Sciences: When legal challenges arise, our experienced litigators advise our healthcare and life sciences clients. From contract disputes to regulatory matters, we navigate disputes with a focus on protecting our clients' reputations and business interests.
Regulatory Compliance in healthcare and Life Sciences: Navigating the ever-evolving healthcare regulatory landscape is central to our services. Working with regulatory compliance specialists where required, we provide comprehensive legal counsel to healthcare providers, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations, privacy and data protection laws, and industry standards, allowing them to focus on delivering intelligent quality care.
Employment and immigration: We advise clients on their day to day employment matters as well as providing immigration advice to UK and internationally based businesses in the sectors. This includes advising on recruitment and immigration matters, preparing and negotiating employment contracts for founders and senior management, preparing work-place policies and advising on business IP creation.

How can we help?

Contact the team about services for businesses: