Expertise
"An excellent legal partner, they look at every assignment from the client's perspective."
International Law Office, Client Choice Award — Ireland
Our Life Sciences Group advises organisations in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical technology, agri-chem and healthcare sectors on the full range of legal issues that affect them.
The Life Sciences Law Group is structured on a cross-departmental basis, drawing specialist members from the firm's corporate, taxation, litigation, intellectual property, competition, commercial, environmental and property groups.
We advise our clients in relation to:
- research collaborations between industry and publicly funded organisations
- regulatory issues: the life sciences group regularly advises on complex regulatory issues regarding the research, manufacture, marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical, biotech and related products
- mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, joint ventures and other corporate transactions
- venture capital, private equity and other fundraising structures
- development of strategies for protecting and exploiting intellectual property
- intellectual property disputes
- data protection, e-commerce issues and website vetting
- product liability, environmental issues, health and safety issues
- EU law and competition issues affecting the industry, including parallel imports
- transfer pricing
- taxation issues
- commercial property and projects
- licensing and other industry commercialisation and research and development agreements.
Our Team
- Advising a leading global pharmaceutical corporation on the establishment of its Protein Discovery and Optimisation Laboratory in Dublin
- Advising multinational pharma/bio companies on their establishment of new premises in Ireland
- Advising on the worldwide reorganisation of a multinational pharmaceuticals group
- Advising a global pharmaceutical corporation on the approval by the European Commission of a large aid package from the State
- Multiple restructurings relating to an Irish multinational biotechnology business venture portfolio, and acting as lead counsel to an Irish multinational biotechnology company in the termination of its joint ventures with various biotechnology corporations
- Advising a leading global pharmaceutical corporation on research, clinical trial and service agreements
- Acting for a biotechnology company in its spin-out from Trinity College Dublin, including the licensing of technology from TCD, and an $8 million financing and subsequent licensing agreement with a global pharmaceutical company and various collaboration agreements
- Acting for a medical technology company in its spin-out from Trinity College Dublin and advising on the subsequent promotion, sale and distribution of its products
- Advising a US biotechnology company on the promotion, sales and distribution of their first product
- Advising a Japanese pharmaceutical company on pre-clinical research
- Advising a Spanish pharmaceutical company on their proposed importation, promotion, sale and distribution of medicinal products
- Advising a German pharmaceutical company on the regulatory requirements relating to unlicensed medicines
- Advising an Italian company on borderline cosmetic / medicinal products
- Acting as advisors to the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT)
- Acting for German medical solutions company in their acquisition of a medical diagnostics division
- Advising a Japanese medical device company on the acquisition of an Irish medical devices manufacturer
- Advising large healthcare company in relation to its takeover
- Acquisition by a Swiss technology company of an Irish healthcare company
- Acting for a Fortune 20 healthcare company in an Irish acquisition
- Acting for a Swiss pharmaceutical company on their acquisition of the research bio-products business and the microbial biopharmaceutical business of a US pharmaceutical company
- Advising a multinational biotechnology company on regulatory, employment and competition law issues relating to a proposed activity
- Technology transfer arrangements between multinational and domestic healthcare groups
- Advising French medical device company on corporate restructuring and equity fund raising
- Advising a German pharmaceutical company on the regulatory impact of their acquisition of a pharmaceutical company
- Advising private equity investors in relation to an investment in an Irish life sciences company
- Acting for the largest general contracting company in Ireland on their acquisition of a medical products distributor
- Representing a blood product manufacturer in respect of ongoing product liability litigation and regulatory hearings
- Representing manufacturers of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, vaccines and tobacco products in ongoing litigation
- Advising a provider of clinical trials services on regulatory and liability issues
- Advising on the parallel importation of agri-chem products and representing the importer in a patent infringement dispute.
Matheson is “the go-to practice for complex, high-profile and sensitive cases” with “an agile team with exceptionally strong insight into clients' needs”.
European Legal 500 2019
The Matheson Life Sciences team is "very well plugged into the life sciences sector".
Chambers Europe 2019
"In terms of service and value, it’s first rate on all accounts."
Chambers Europe 2019
Matheson "is our go-to firm for complex matters".
Chambers Europe 2019
"They’re highly professional and always available."
Chambers Europe 2018
The team was highly active in the life sciences sector.
European Legal 500 2018
"The best firm in Dublin for this type of work: they have unrivalled knowledge and expertise, are quick to react and user-friendly."
Chambers Europe 2017
Matheson provides "excellent advice in a timely and professional manner".
European Legal 500 2015
"Matheson's strengths are its commercial approach and understanding of our business."
Chambers Europe 2014
Matheson "identifies issues and cuts to the chase".
European Legal 500 2014
"An excellent legal partner, they look at every assignment from the client's perspective."
International Law Office, Client Choice Award 2013 — Ireland
"The firm provided excellent service with excellent response times under tight deadlines."
International Law Office, Client Choice Award 2012 — Ireland