Firms To Watch: Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences

Jointly led by María González Gordon, Mariano Bautista, and Ignacio Grangel, the team at CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo handles a broad range of matters, including medical device advertising and M&A.

Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences in Spain

Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance houses a ‘dedicated, attentive and competent‘ team, which is known for handling the full spectrum of intellectual property matters, including supplementary protection certificate (SPC) applications and appeals. The group also advises on a broad range of non-contentious issues, including reorganisation projects, and regulatory mandates concerning the advertising of medicinal products. The Barcelona-based practice is jointly led by: Miquel Montañá, a dispute resolution specialist who frequently acts for global pharma clients in patent infringement actions involving generics; Josep Montefusco, who is particularly adept in preliminary injunction applications; Guillermo Guardia, who regularly advises on acquisition and corporate financing transactions, with an emphasis on cross-border M&A; and Carme Briera, who focuses on administrative and public law-related matters. Adrián Crespo is noted for his deep knowledge of IP and unfair competition litigation, particularly in relation to pharma and biotech patents.

Responsables de la pratique:

Miquel Montañá; Josep Montefusco; Guillermo Guardia; Carme Briera


Autres avocats clés:

Adrián Crespo


Les références

‘The team is very professional. In the pharmaceutical area, they are very knowledgeable. They are also very good in procedural matters.’

‘Josep Montefusco has a lot of experience in this field.’

‘Josep Montefusco is friendly, supportive and easy to work with. He is also creative in his strategy. It was fun to work with him.’

Principaux clients

Exact Sciences


Illumina Cambridge Limited


Edwards Lifesciences


UCB Pharma


Esteve HealthCare


Bial Portela & Cª, S.A.


AstraZeneca


Pfizer Inc


Novartis


F. Hoffmann-Roche


GlaxoSmithKline


BioNtech


Theratecnologies


Grunenthal


Daiichi Sankyo


Menarini


Teva


Biogen


Boehringer Ingelheim


Astellas


Nutrition & Santé


Neuraxpharm


Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc


Pharma Mar, SA


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Pfizer Inc. on a reorganisation project (Project OFG- Organization for Growth) consisting in the separation of its consumer health and establishment division of the group.
  • Advised Theratecnologies on the regulatory aspects related to the advertising of medicinal products for professionals with respect to a specific medicinal product to be launched for the treatment of cancer.

Faus Moliner

Praised for its ‘specialist‘ knowledge of the pharma industry, Faus Moliner‘s Barcelona-based team acts for a diverse client base of major pharma companies and biotech startups. The team handles a broad range of sector specific issues, including product liability claims involving defective medical devices, in addition to appearing before the Spanish Transparency Council. Practice co-head Jordi Faus is noted for his longstanding expertise in handling compliance projects, commercial agreements, and pharma policy matters. Co-head Xavier Moliner is particularly skilled in disputes involving product liability and public procurement. Lluís Alcover‘s primary areas of expertise include market access, and pricing and reimbursement issues.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jordi Faus; Xavier Moliner


Autres avocats clés:

Lluís Alcover


Les références

‘A specialist practice with whom we have collaborated successfully for many years in a number of areas related to life sciences.’

‘Jordi Faus and Xavier Moliner are both responsive, knowledgeable experts in their respective fields.’

‘They have completely specialised knowledge of the pharmaceutical legal world, which differentiates them from other firms.’

Principaux clients

Advanced Accelerator Applications International


Advanz


Aguettant


Albireo


Alcon


Alere


Alexion


Alk-Abello


Alter


Amgen


ARM


Arnold & Porter


Ascendis


Aspen


Bayer


BBraun


Bial


Biofrontera


Biogen


Bio-Rad


Biosim


Blisscare


Boehringer


Chiesi


Comindex


Cryolife


CSL Behring


Dentsplysirona


Edwards


Establishment Labs


Esteve Group


Fardi


Farmafluid


Forveter


Fidia


Galderma


Gedeon Richter


Genmab


Gilead


Google


GSK


Grünenthal


Hans Rüth


Hansa Biopharma


HDI-Gerling


Hipra


Impress


Incyte


Insmed


Kelly Dunlap


Kern


Kimberly Clark


Komtur


Laboratorio Reig Jofré


Laboratorios Thea


Laboratorios Lorien


Lacer


Leadiant


Leo Pharma


Medsir


Mentaal Beter


Midas Pharma


MSD


Natac Pharma


Natur Import


NFL Biosciences


Norgine


Novacos


Novartis


Novocure


Orchard Therapeutics


Otsuka


Pfizer


Pharma Mar


Pharmanovia


Philips


Pierre Fabre


Plixxent


Preu Bohlig


PTC Therapeutics


Qualigen


Reckitt Benckiser


Recordati


Remab


Ropes & Gray


Samsung


Sandoz


Sanofi


Shionogi


Sinclair


Staar Surgical


Stemline


Swedish Orpham Biovitrum


Synformulas


Takeda


Teva


Theratech


TMRW Life Sciences


Towa Pharmaceutical Europe


UCB Pharma


Valgosa


Vapotherm


Vertex


Vifor


White Case


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Novartis and Pfizer in connection with rulings of the Spanish Transparency Council regarding the publication of confidential information related to the price of various products.

Fieldfisher

The team at Fieldfisher is known for exhibiting broad expertise across the entire spectrum of life sciences and healthcare matters, including data protection, competition-related issues, and compliance programmes. Practice head Héctor Jausàs has longstanding experience in pricing and reimbursement issues, advertising matters, and product liability cases. Regulatory expert Gemma Colomer, who regularly assists clients with the implementation of their internal codes of conducts, is well versed in market access mandates relating to medical devices and medicinal products. Gerard Ramo left the team to join the European Medicines Agency in May 2023.

Responsables de la pratique:

Héctor Jausàs


Autres avocats clés:

Gemma Colomer


Les références

‘Héctor Jausàs and Gemma Colomer stand out for their great knowledge of the sector and ability to advise on practically any branch of law and landing said expertise specifically for the problems of the pharmaceutical sector.’

‘Jausàs knows the pharmaceutical environment perfectly and handles a wide range of matters. Colomer is very professional in her arguments and quick in responding.’

‘The team is very specialised in pharmaceuticals and health.’

Principaux dossiers


Uría Menéndez

The ‘highly specialised‘ team at Uría Menéndez maintains its stellar reputation for handling the full gamut of issues within the healthcare and life sciences spaces. In addition to assisting clients with their internal public procurement policies, the group advises investors on their public-private relationships, and regulatory issues surrounding the promotion of medicines. Teresa Paz-Ares and Montiano Monteagudo co-lead the team from Madrid and Barcelona respectively. Paz-Ares has extensive expertise in corporate and M&A transactions in the life sciences sector, while Monteagudo acts for numerous global pharma laboratories in disputes involving copyright and patents. Beatriz Cocina in Madrid regularly advises medtech, healthcare, and biotech clients on a broad range of mandates, including pricing and market access, promotional disputes, and financing. Working out of the Barcelona office, Francisco Javier García is noted for his deep knowledge of IP issues, with particular emphasis on privacy, unfair competition litigation and drug advertising.

Responsables de la pratique:

Teresa Paz-Ares; Montiano Monteagudo


Autres avocats clés:

Beatriz Cocina; Francisco Javier García; Ingrid Pi


Les références

‘Highly qualified and updated professionals.’

‘The Uría Menéndez team is highly specialised in life sciences sector. They know perfectly all the regulations that apply to the technical and legal context and study matters in great detail and depth. They also collaborate closely and directly with the client, in real time, maximising the chances of success. Compared to other firms, they are much more rigorous, thorough and efficient.’

‘Ingrid Pi stands out for her knowledge of the subject, and the general and specific regulatory framework, as well as her detailed and precise analysis of the situation, working with professionalism and honesty.’

Principaux clients

GSK


Novartis


PharmaMar


Lilly


Laboratorios Rovi


Janssen-Cilag


Sanofi


Farmaindustria


Gilead Sciences.


Nordic Pharma


Galenicum Health


Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare


Grandvision Spain


Laboratorios Servier


Astrazeneca


Bioibérica


Nador Cott Protection


Ecología y Protección Agrícola


Laboratorios ViiV


NextChance Invest


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising various pharmaceutical companies and the Pharmaceutical Industry Association (Farmaindustria) on matters related to the possibility of promoting medicines pending a resolution on price and reimbursement, which has traditionally been banned in Spain.

Baker McKenzie

Praised by clients for its ‘endless experience and care‘, the team at Baker McKenzie displays deep bench strength across a wide variety of matters, including pharmacovigilance, product registration, pricing, reimbursement procedures, and the implementation of patient support programmes. Montserrat Llopart leads the team from Barcelona, utilising her longstanding regulatory expertise to advise on compliance audits, the drafting of codes of professional ethics, and clinical trial contracts. In Madrid, ‘excellent‘ practice head Cecilia Pastor acts for healthcare companies in a host of matters, including corporate restructurings and global supply chains, while Ester Navas assists medical device and pharma companies with the regulatory aspects of their promotional activities, price discounting issues, and contractual matters involving third parties.

Responsables de la pratique:

Montserrat Llopart; Cecilia Pastor


Autres avocats clés:

Ester Navas


Les références

‘Baker has a multidisciplinary and diverse team that I can count on at any time for any issue. They know my business and my business model and they give me security and confidence. They work very well. The differentiating element that distinguishes them from the rest of the market is their hands-on approach. They bring together the best of local and international practices.’

‘Cecilia Pastor is excellent, one of the best lawyers I know. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her. She has great analytical skills, market knowledge, practical vision and a lot of experience. She brings a lot of value.’

‘They have a business-oriented approach.’

Principaux clients

Abbott


AbbVie


Almirall


Alnylam


Archer Daniel Midlands


Asphalion


Astellas


Bacthera AG


Baush+Lomb


Baxter


Becton-Dickinson


Beigene


Boehringer Ingelheim


Boston Scientific


Bristol Myers Squibb Company


Carestream Health Spain


Chiesi


Exactech


Ferrer Internacional


Galapagos


GSK


Hansa Biopharma


Hologic


ICU Medical


Indivior


Insud Pharma


ISDIN


Johnson & Johnson


KD Pharma


Laboratorios Farmaceuticos Rovi


Medtronic


Menarini / Menarini Diagnostics


Merit Medical


MSD


Neuraxpharm


Neurotoc


SD Biosensor


Seqirus


Stryker


Sunrise


Symprove


Takeda


Teladoc Health International


Towa


Unilabs


Vifor


Zimmer Biomet


ZimVie


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Medtronic plc on its plans to sell or spin off two large divisions, Patient Monitoring and Respiratory Interventions businesses.
  • Assisted Ferrer Internacional in the drafting and negotiation of its license agreement with Asceneuron in which Ferrer obtained the exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise ASN90 in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), an orphan, tau-related disease with a high unmet medical need.
  • Advised Bacthera AG on its acquisition of a manufacturing site in León from 4D Pharma.

Cuatrecasas

Cuatrecasas provides support to a diverse client base of biotech corporates, hospitals, and research institutes. Leading the team from Barcelona, Elena Cuatrecasas acts for a multitude of clients within the biotech and pharma sectors in M&A and contractual matters, while Ariadna Casanueva regularly assists with clinical trial, co-promotion, and distribution agreements, as well as pricing and reimbursement matters. Málaga-based Jorge Robles, a key contact for public law issues, is known for his deep knowledge of the regulations governing medical devices and medicinal products.

Responsables de la pratique:

Elena Cuatrecasas


Autres avocats clés:

Jorge Robles; Ariadna Casanueva; Irene Moreno


Principaux clients

Alexion (Astrazeneca Group)


Theriva Biologics


Hipra


Hartmann


Angelini


Bayer


Ribera Salud


Spanish Federation Of Healthcare Technology Companies (Fenin)


Faes Farma


DrSmile


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Theriva on research and development contracts and clinical trials.
  • Advised Faes Farma on the acquisition of NovoSci Healthcare, a commercial platform based in Dubai.

Eversheds Sutherland

Kiko Carrión, Marta González, and Alberto Dorrego jointly lead the ‘excellent‘ Madrid-based practice at Eversheds Sutherland, which acts for a variety of biochemical companies and drug manufacturers. Carrión regularly advises on SPC, trade mark, and patent disputes within the pharma and biotech industries, while González has a great deal of expertise in product liability claims and patent infringement actions. With extensive experience in proceedings before the Constitutional Court, Dorrego is noted for his extensive knowledge of public-private partnerships and public contracts. Eduardo Buitrón frequently assists global pharma companies with licensing, supply and e-health tech agreements.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kiko Carrión; Marta González; Alberto Dorrego


Autres avocats clés:

Eduardo Buitrón


Les références

‘Great experts in pharmaceutical practice. The team’s flexibility stands out when studying topics and adapting to the client’s needs. ’

‘Close treatment and very flexible when addressing topics. Kiko Carrión, Marta González, and Eduardo Buitrón are recommended.’

‘A fully formed team exploring different paths in relation to the field of genetics and its study in order to help their clients.’

Principaux clients

Cefi Fundación


ION Beam Applications


Principaux dossiers


Garrigues

Garrigues‘ ‘extraordinary‘ practice handles a broad range of matters for medical device and healthcare product manufacturers, pharma and biotech companies, and both public and private hospitals. Practice head José Fernández-Rañada is known for his extensive corporate expertise, regularly advising on M&A, spin-offs, and corporate restructurings. Carolina Pina is the main contact for IP-related matters, while Javier Manchado primarily advises public authorities and private companies on public procurement issues, particularly in relation to the award and performance of public sector contracts.

Responsables de la pratique:

José Fernández-Rañada


Autres avocats clés:

Carolina Pina; Javier Manchado; Juan Manuel Cabeza


Les références

‘Extraordinary, long-term and successful experience makes this firm a benchmark in the life sciences sector.’

‘Their knowledge of the pharmaceutical sector, culture and the client’s business is excellent, which makes us real partners when it comes to facing the issues and challenges that arise.’

‘We have been working with Garrigues for many years. They have always responded quickly, successfully and with quality work. The team is very synchronised, offering constant support in different areas and friendly treatment.’

Principaux clients

Noucor Group


Sanofi


Eisai


Roche


IVI RMA


Farmaindustria


Shockwave Medical


GSK (Glaxosmithkline)


Baxter, S.L.


Astrazeneca Farmaceútica Spain, S.A.


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised IVI RMA on its sale to KKR.
  • Advised Centene Corporation on the sale of its Spanish and Central European businesses (including the Valencian group Ribera Salud) to Vivalto Santé.
  • Advised Fluidra Finco on the cross-border merger by absorption of French company ZPNA Holdings, S.A.S.

Pérez-Llorca

Praised for its ‘phenomenal coordination‘ and ‘excellent‘ experience, the team at Pérez-Llorca regularly assists clients with the assessment of dosing regiment, second medical use, and compound patents, in addition to handling multijurisdictional disputes concerning SPCs. Eduardo Castillo, noted for his vast, longstanding knowledge of IP and unfair competition litigation within the pharma and biotech industries, and Juan Rodríguez Cárcamo jontly head up the Madrid-based team. Rais Amils is an IP litigator in Barcelona with expansive expertise in the intersection between IP right enforcement and antitrust law. Álvaro de Castro maintains an IP and unfair competition-focused practice, regularly acting in cases concerning the infringement and validity of copyrights and patents.

Responsables de la pratique:

Eduardo Castillo; Juan Rodríguez Cárcamo


Autres avocats clés:

Rais Amils; Álvaro de Castro


Les références

‘Great professionals in the team, highlighting the phenomenal coordination between them that provides 360 vision and analysis of each matter, which contributes to their successful management.’

‘Excellent experience and practice in life sciences, mainly in the litigation procedure and ​​competition law. This expertise and good professional work, together with the great results obtained, make this firm stand out as being above other law firms.’

Principaux clients

BMS


MGI


Spanish General Board of Official Pharmaceutical Colleges


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for BMS in a revocation action brought by Teva against the client’s patent and supplementary protection certificate concerning apixaban.
  • Represented MGI in a patent dispute against Illumina.

Andersen Tax & Legal

Andersen handles a varied range of mandates, including M&A, the data protection aspects of clinical trials and pharmacovigilance-related matters. The group is also adept at advising on criminal risk management systems and information exchanges. Working out of the Madrid office, Isabel Martínez Moriel has broad knowledge of data protection and privacy issues. Morial assists with numerous international data transfers and privacy shields, and regularly appears before the Spanish Data Protection Agency.

Autres avocats clés:

Isabel Martínez Moriel; José Ignacio Olleros


Principaux clients

Institut Marqués


MySphera


INSUD PHARMA GROUP


MEDINSA and ARISTO PHARMA IBERIA


Medical Fomento Industrial (MFI)


FarmaIndustria


Aurovitas


Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Madrid


Colegio de Farmacéuticos de Valencia


Colegio de Farmacéuticos de Málaga


LABORATORIOS BABÉ SL


RNB Cosméticos SL


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Institut Marquès on the strategic agreement with Czech clinic FutureLife for its entry into the Spanish market.
  • Advising Medical Fomento Industrial on the sale of the group companies Ibervisión, Medop and Elaboria to Fielmann.
  • Advising MySphera on a fundraising led by the European Commission’s EIC Fund.

DLA Piper

The team at DLA Piper assists a variety of global pharma and technology companies in regulatory mandates involving market access, distribution agreements, and awareness programmes. Practice co-head Paula González De Castejón, a name to note for pharma and medical device clients, excels in market access issues, clinical trial agreements, pricing and reimbursement matters. Diego Ramos combines his knowledge of IP, technology, and data protection to assist clients with outsourcing issues.

Responsables de la pratique:

Paula González de Castejón; Diego Ramos


Principaux clients

Pfizer


Stryker


Gilead Sciences


Genesis Cancer Care


Amicus Therapeutics


Asklepios BioPharmaceutical


ResMed


Enliven Therapeutics


Banco Santander


General Electric


Lenus Capital Partners


Prim Group


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Pfizer on all matters related to advertising, market access of new treatments, privacy and heath-tech projects.
  • Advised Stryker on public procurement, compliance matters, and the drafting and negotiating of relevant commercial contracts.
  • Assisted Gilead with the designing of programmes to create awareness and promote early diagnosis initiatives for HIV diseases.

DWF-RCD

DWF-RCD‘s practice exhibits broad expertise in the drafting of agreements concerning the use of genetic material, pharmacovigilance issues, and data protection matters relating to treatments. Noted for his deep knowledge of venture capital-related matters, Ignasi Costas leads the team which is primarily based in Barcelona. Corporate specialist Alejandro Griffiths advises tech companies on research collaboration contracts and internal regulations. Oscar Alegre is well versed in advising biotech companies on technology transfers and R&D issues, while Judith Saladrigas in Madrid regularly assists research centres and universities.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ignasi Costas


Autres avocats clés:

Oscar Alegre; Judith Saladrigas; David Pintos; Alejandro Griffiths


Principaux dossiers


Gómez-Acebo & Pombo

Primarily based in Madrid, the robust team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo maintains its focus on innovation within the sector, primarily concentrating on R&D and commercialisation issues. Regulatory expert Irene Fernández Puyol leads the team, advising on the full range of issues relating to medicinal products, promotional materials, and medical devices. Jesús Muñoz Delgado has ample expertise in IP and unfair competition mandates, particularly within the biotech space. Dual qualified in California and Spain, Rick Silberstein handles corporate governance mandates from the Barcelona office, while Alex Carbonell is known for his deep knowledge of M&A and tech transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Irene Fernández Puyol


Autres avocats clés:

Jesús Muñoz-Delgado; Rick Silberstein; Alex Carbonell


Les références

‘The firm is multidisciplinary; there are experts in all sectors and practice areas that one needs. Serves clients very quickly, practically and politely. They also provide you with newsletters and workshops with news from the legal world.’

‘They have expert lawyers in all areas in the same office, respond promptly and in a very practical manner. I especially thank Irene Fernández Puyol, who has always served us very well.’

Principaux clients

Kaneka /AB-Biotics


Altan Pharma


Moderna


Danaher Group (USA)


Sigre


Fresenius Kabi


Oryzon Genomics


Atrys Health


DKV SEGUROS Y REASEGUROS S.A.E.


Laboratorios Fidia Farmacéutica


Biotechnology Assets, S.A.


Labiana Health, S.A.


Principaux dossiers


  • Advises Moderna Pharmaceuticals on various issues related to its ongoing business in Spain, including its distribution model and other organisational matters, such as the new laboratory to be opened in Madrid.
  • Advised on the merger of the Spanish company Alifarm, S.A. with AB-Biotics, s.a.
  • Advised Fresenius’ Spanish subsidiary on a number of matters, including public procurement, regulatory and competition issues.

HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER

Powerhouse‘ IP boutique HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER leverages its European network to assist clients with the full gamut of IP matters. Luis Fernández Novoa leads the team in Madrid, and is noted for his knowledge of IP disputes across the pharma and biotech industries. IP litigation specialist Laura Cantero regularly represents clients in patent, trade mark, and copyright cases, while Álvaro Velázquez frequently appears before commercial and administrative courts in disputes involving advertising and labelling issues.

Responsables de la pratique:

Luis Fernández-Novoa


Autres avocats clés:

Álvaro Velázquez; Laura Cantero


Les références

‘I have a very good opinion of partner Luis Fernández-Novoa, and also of Laura Cantero and Álvaro Velázquez. They have extensive knowledge in different areas of law and working with them is fluid and productive.’

‘Excellent technical skill as well as personal service.’

‘Niche expertise, friendly service. Álvaro Velázquez and his team are highly recommended.’

Principaux clients

Essity


Syngenta


4Basebio


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing biotech group 4BASEBIO in litigation against several Spanish companies (Tyris Therapeutics SL, Columbus Venture Partners SGEIC et al) and individuals bringing actions for patent entitlement and for disclosure of trade secrets.
  • Defending and enforcing ESSITY’s IP rights on its hygiene products and dispensing systems.
  • Representing SYNGENTA in patent litigation relating to an insecticide-based trapping system for fruit fly control.

Ramón y Cajal Abogados

Ramón y Cajal Abogados‘ Madrid-based team advises clients on the financing of medications, the advertising of medicines, and the direct supply of medication to hospitals. Practice co-head José Ignacio Vega maintains a public law-focused practice, frequently assisting clients with public procurement issues. Co-head Norman Heckh is noted for his knowledge of commercial law, cybersecurity and data protection matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

José Ignacio Vega; Norman Heckh


Les références

‘José Ignacio Vega has knowledge of the law and jurisprudence, and the ability to draw up an effective strategy. All of this together with a pragmatic and realistic vision when explaining the possibilities and expectations to the client. He never promised what he could not deliver and delivered more than what we expected.’

Principaux clients

Personal Healthcare National Association


Spanish Generic Medicines National Association


Kern Pharma


Biogen


Asociación Española Nutrición Enteral


Viatris Pharmaceutical


Farmaindustria


Vithas


Promofarma Ecom SL


Laboratorios Alter


General Óptica


UPSA Pharma SA


Zimmer Biomet


ZS Associates


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Promofarma Ecom SL on the development of a cross-border online sales model for medicines and other BTC products.
  • Defending Farmaindustria in the contentious-administrative process against the Ministry of Health as a consequence of the tendering of an important contract for the supply of medicines.