While the March 2024 departure of former practice co-head Adrián del Paso was a blow, Ibarra, del Paso y Gallego's life science practice remains active under what is now the sole-leadership of Juan Manuel Álvarez del Castillo. An IP-specialist, Álvarez del Castillo primarily handles the patent-side aspects of life science matters, but is also experienced in judicial and administrative proceedings before administrative, civil and criminal authorities. His expertise extends across the pharmaceutical, chemical, technological and food and beverage industries, among others. More broadly the practice handles both transaction and regulatory matters relating to biotech products, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and the animal and human health sectors, including authorisations and representation before the Ministry of Health and COFEPRIS.

'Capable of handling very complex issues', Galicia Abogados S.C.'s offering across life sciences is bolstered by the firm’s broad full-service offering, while remaining underpinned by dedicated expertise in the field, clients appreciating it as a 'highly specialised team in the health sciences and economic competition industry'. The full spectrum of life sciences stakeholders in the Mexican market are present on the team’s client roster, including international and local pharmaceutical companies, biotech businesses, medical device manufacturers, hospitals and healthcare services, along with industry trade associations and think-tanks. Recent work has included technical matters such as new drug distribution agreements and regulatory compliance involving various ruling bodies, but also leverages expertise in other practice areas to advise on M&A and litigation for life sciences clients. Co-leaders of the practice Bernardo Martínez-Negrete and counsel Lisandro Herrera are noted as examples of the team’s 'ability to translate complex topics into simple language'; Martínez-Negrete being a veteran of various innovative healthcare projects for leading pharmaceutical companies, and Herrera a recognised figure of the next generation of Mexican experts in this area. Former senior associate Luis Marin Tijerina moved in house as general counsel at 3M healthcare spin-off Solventum in May 2024.

Hogan Lovells fields a life sciences department of considerable experience and reputation in the area, commended for its 'complete knowledge of the industry' and the counsel of choice for a plethora of major multinationals operating or investing in the Mexican market. Its impressively broad coverage -both domestically and abroad- includes work in pharmaceuticals and biotech, genetic engineering, medical devices, digital health, cannabis, cosmetics, food technology and general regulatory compliance. Recent work has included sensitive regulatory audits, major incident response in the chemicals industry, and litigation in the food industry. 'Leaders in the industry' Ernesto Algaba Reyes and Cecilia Stahlhut Espinosa co-lead the practice. Algaba Reyes draws on two decades of experience in the area and focuses his practice on health law and regulatory compliance for the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries. Raised to the partnership in January 2024, Stahlhut Espinosa has extensive experience in drug regulatory law, as well as in structuring regulatory strategy in a range of other industries.

Around a core strength in pharmaceutical sector IP, Olivares has built a substantial and wider-reaching practice across life sciences in Mexico, representing an outstanding choice in rights protection, but also being reliable counsel for a range of commercial matters in the related industries. On the regulatory side, life sciences research and development projects are a standout strength, and the practice has been a fixture in matters that have shaped Mexico’s pharmaceuticals regulatory framework. The aforementioned IP expertise of the firm bears fruit in its patent work, including patent term corrections and patent linkage, while on the trade mark side, the firm has innovated a database system of the Mexican Trademark Office and regulatory agency COFEPRIS that predicts whether a drug will gain the authorisation of its commercial name. Administrative compliance is a further strength, while in transactional matters the team has become increasingly well versed in assisting with the development, consolidation, and expansion of its clients' Mexican operations. Gustavo Alcocer oversees the corporate, transactional and financing aspects of the practice; Alejandro Luna excels in litigation, with standout expertise in patent matters; Armando Arenas heads the anti-piracy/counterfeiting practice in medicines, while also leading on civil litigation matters; and Rommy Morales is a specialist in patent prosecution, IP litigation, and plant variety protection. The above-mentioned lawyers jointly coordinate the life sciences practice as a whole. Further names to note include senior associates Ingrid Ortiz and Karla Olvera, who both excel in litigation; and Mauricio Samano, a patent expert.

In the complex, heavily regulated Mexican pharmaceuticals market, Solórzano Linaldi stands out as a specialist boutique advising on the full spectrum of matters and constituting a go-to destination for disputes. Court appeals at the highest level are one of the hallmarks of the team, which acts in amparo cases as well as disputes against the health authority COFEPRIS. Major client Investigación Farmacéutica is one beneficiary of the firm’s expertise in navigating the Mexican drug marketing authorisation landscape, and alongside its client base of domestic and multinational market-leaders, the team is also frequently sought out by international law firms needing specialist Mexican counsel for their clients. Head of the department and co-founding partner Guillermo Solórzano has comprehensive knowledge of regulatory and pharmaceutical matters, but also assists with patent and trade mark litigation, along with administrative litigation - particularly in relation to sanitary issues. Fellow name-partner Luis López Linaldi is one of the foremost administrative and amparo litigators in the life sciences space, and also has strong knowledge of the sector’s import/export procedures. Senior associate Eréndira Frias is well versed in advising pharmaceutical and biotech companies on pharmaceutical, sanitary, and administrative litigation issues; and more junior associate Alan Osorio Aragón has strong regulatory and IP knowledge to support clients with product launches in Mexico.

The life sciences department at Baker McKenzie Abogados, S.C. is now led by senior associate Carla Calderón, following the departure of practice area veteran Christian Lopez- Silva in June 2024, to establish his own boutique. The practice group remains specialised in multiple areas of law crucial to businesses in the life sciences, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, and clients include a number of global market leaders. Recent highlights have included business separations in a variety of sectors, as well as some of the standout M&A in the Mexican life sciences sector. Complex regulatory assessments and IP litigation are further areas of strength for the team. Calderón has ‘deep knowledge of regulations‘, regularly advising on matters at the intersection of regulatory, data privacy and IP for a diverse client portfolio. A multi-disciplinary team assists Calderón with different issues: Marina Hurtado-Cruz is the name to note for patent matters; Roberto Macias is a transactional lawyer with experience in life sciences; Jorge Ambriz adds foreign trade and customs knowledge; and Roberto Cardona is the contact for administrative litigation in this area, following the departure of Fernando Robles-Pesqueira to a freelance role in February 2024.

Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C.‘s dynamic and diverse life sciences practice is a product of the firm’s efforts to develop this area from a transactional-focused ancillary group into a fully-fledged industry group with capability across a variety of areas. In relation to pharmaceuticals, healthcare, cosmetics, medical devices, biotech, and food and beverages, the team advises on regulated activities that are relevant throughout the full product cycle, from clinical trials, to manufacturing, through packaging, advertising and marketing, to commercialisation and the export of products and services. As a substantial full-service domestic firm, significant M&A in the sector is also a notable strength. The ‘pragmatic and helpful‘ counsel Guillermo Govela specialises in health regulation and administrative law, and co-leads the life sciences department with Leonel Pereznieto, who has more of a transactional focus and is also an insurance law expert. Former senior associate David Campos left the firm in April 2024.

Stakeholders across the life science space value the 'extensive knowledge in the field' of CMS Woodhouse Lorente Ludlow's practice in this area, which acts in a host of regulatory matters, including audits, lawsuits and day-to-day compliance advice. Mauricio Gomez heads a small team at the firm’s Mexico City office but the department is also a part of the wider CMS global life sciences group, facilitating access to a number of multinational clients with operations in Mexico, particularly in the pharmaceuticals space. Gomez himself is one of the notable young partners when it comes to regulatory law in the pharmaceuticals industry and draws on professional experience at the drug regulatory body COFEPRIS. César Lechuga adds corporate and M&A expertise and has experience in the sector, while tax partner Ángel Escalante is also often involved in multi-faceted matters for life sciences clients. Senior associate Manuel Ferrara provides crucial support as regards constitutional and administrative litigation concerning life sciences' matters.

Now constituting the Mexican arm of Pérez-Llorca following their merger, the legacy life sciences practice from Gonzalez Calvillo has a strong regulatory offering across a variety of market segments. In the medical sector, the team is well versed in compliance matters concerning both test procedures and medical devices, while in food and beverages the department enjoys broad market coverage. Reflecting the historical anomaly of a common regulatory root in Mexico's environmental and life sciences legal framework, the firm’s environmental team also collaborates closely with the life sciences group. Leading the team are counsels Enrique Muñoz Guizar and Carlos Fernando Castilla, with associate support primarily provided by senior Georgina Zavala, who is adept across environmental, agrarian matters and life sciences law.

Sánchez Devanny's life sciences practice has a prestigious client list across pharmaceuticals, chemicals, cosmetics, tobacco, and the food and beverage industry. The practice assists businesses (both domestically and abroad) from the manufacturing stages through to the preparation of products for sale in Mexico or for exportation. The department is co-led by José Alberto Campos-Vargas, who has strong experience in this area, particularly as regards regulatory matters, international trade and administrative litigation; and Juan Luis Serrano, who acts in IP matters for life sciences clients, as well as on government procurement matters. Senior associate María Luisa Mendoza stands out for international trade matters in the life sciences space. Significantly, the firm is currently involved in a merger process that would see it become part of Garrigues Mexico.

Centred primarily around a strong IP offering, Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C.'s life sciences group also has capabilities in adjacent compliance and regulatory law. Clients include a strong cohort of businesses from the pharmaceutical sector and patent work stands out as a notable strength of the department. On such matters, co-head of the team Claudio Ulloa is the primary contact, while fellow practice head Adolfo Athié has a broad practice covering IP consulting and administrative litigation, as well as IT and data privacy law. Corporate law matters for life sciences clients often involve experienced figures Jesús Colunga and Juan Carlos Serra, with Mariana González adding further depth on the IP side.