Franziska Katterbach
Franziska Katterbach is a Partner in Fieldfisher’s Frankfurt office and advises national and international companies in the Life Sciences and Healthcare sectors.The healthcare industry is undergoing a transformation. New technologies, digital care, and innovative therapies are changing the way medicine is conceived and delivered. She is passionate about supporting companies on this journey – in a pragmatic, entrepreneurial manner and with a clear understanding of the regulatory framework.Her focus lies on pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, digital health and innovative care models. She advises companies throughout their entire life cycle – from regulatory issues and the development of new business models, through complex corporate transactions, to strategic partnerships and company law matters.A particular focus of her work is advising regulated businesses at the intersection of Life Sciences regulation and transactional practice. She supports domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, joint ventures, venture capital and private equity investments, as well as restructurings within the Life Sciences sector. She advises investors, founders, family-owned businesses, and strategic market participants at every stage of a transaction, from structuring and due diligence through to closing and post-merger integration.Franziska Katterbach also has many years of experience in pharmaceutical law, medical devices law, healthcare advertising law, and broader healthcare regulation. She supports clients in developing new business models, entering the German and European markets, and addressing complex regulatory challenges across the entire value chain.Another key area of her practice is the legal structuring of innovative healthcare ecosystems. She assists businesses in the development of telemedicine platforms, integrated care models, and digital platform and distribution concepts. This includes advising on regulatory requirements, collaborations between healthcare providers, industry participants, and payers, as well as the legally compliant implementation of innovative models of care.She has expertise in medical cannabis and cannabinoid-based medicinal products. For many years, Franziska Katterbach has advised manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, pharmacies, investors, and innovative healthcare companies on regulatory, corporate, and transactional matters. She has been involved in numerous market-shaping projects and transactions in this field and possess extensive knowledge of the German and European regulatory framework governing medical cannabis.Through her previous role as Chief Legal Officer and Managing Director of an international Life Sciences company, she has gained first-hand insight into the commercial and operational challenges faced by regulated businesses. This combination of legal and executive experience allows her to provide practical, commercially focused, and strategic advice.PublicationsSpeaking engagements, interviews and events“Patchwork to Pathway: The Case for a Regulatory Accord”, Global Cannabis Regulatory Summit, London, 20 April 2026“The Future of German Cannabis Policies – Where Are Germany’s Cannabis Laws Headed?”, International Cannabis Business Conference, Berlin, 14 April 2026“Mine or Yours?” (Interview), Laborjournal, 19 February 2026 (in German)"Science4Life Venture Cup", coach on financing, legal, patent, and marketing topics during the Digital Academy Day, 14 November 2025“From Controlled Substance to Telemedicine Product? Cannabis Law in Transition – A Legal Journey Through Prohibition, Access and Future Perspectives”, German In-House Counsel Conference, Berlin, 6 November 2025“Building a Successful Cannabis Company: How to Attract Investment and Achieve ROI”, PTMC25, Lisbon, 25 September 2025“Medical Cannabis: How the Business of Prescription Cannabis Works” (Interview), heise online, 24 September 2025 (in German)“Storm in a Teacup? Germany’s Proposal to Tighten Telemedicine Cannabis Rules” (Interview), CannIntelligence, 1 September 2025"U.S. Builds Momentum, Germany Shows Caution on Cannabis", Part 1 und Part 2, The Dales Report vom 16. Juli 2025 (Interview)“Cannabis in Germany and the EU – Market and Regulatory Overview”, ATB Expert Speaker Series, 9 July 2025“Medical Cannabis as a Solution – What Are the Current Challenges?” (Interview), Mary Jane Berlin, 21 June 2025 (in German)“Germany’s Medical Cannabis Market” (Interview), The Dales Report, 4 June 2025“Cannabis Regulation in Transition: Between International Treaties and Modern Science”, Global Cannabis Regulatory Summit, Washington, D.C., 26 March 2025“The European Medical Cannabis Supply Chain: Navigating Challenges, Innovation and Growth Opportunities”, International Cannabis Business Conference, Barcelona, 13 March 2025“Legalisation in Europe” (Interview), World Class Business Leaders, 22 January 2025“Regulatory Issues Relating to Personalised Medicine Products – The Legal Framework for Companion Diagnostics”, Marburg Healthcare Discussions, Nomos Publishing, 2017Articles, publications and media mentions“Cannabis Europa London 2026 – Key Insights Day 1”, Business of Cannabis, 26 May 2026“The Hangover of German Legalisation” (German translation from Hebrew), 26 May 2026“Federal Court of Justice: Online Portal May Not Advertise Cannabis Treatment”, Legal Tribune Online, 26 March 2026“Cannabis Providers Remain Relaxed”, Apotheke Adhoc, 15 April 2026“Medical Cannabis in Europe: Recognised – Yet Still Held Back?”, Cannabis Law Report, 9 February 2026“Medical Cannabis in Europe: Recognised – Yet Still Held Back?”, Krautinvest Online, 9 February 2026 (in German)“Rules for Cannabis Patients: CDU/CSU Seeks to Amend Lauterbach’s Law”, Legal Tribune Online, 19 January 2026“Telemedicine in Transition – Framework, Boundaries and Perspectives”, PharmaR, 15 November 2025, co-authored with Dr Nadine Müller“Telemedicine and Cannabis: EU Law Could Thwart German Health Ministry Plans”, Legal Tribune Online, 10 September 2025 (in German)“Cannabis & Telemedicine: Dr Zoom – How Far Can Digital Healthcare Go?”, Hanf Magazin, 11 June 2025 (in German)“Cannabis for Medical Purposes: Are Pharmacies the New Coffee Shops?”, Legal Tribune Online, 4 December 2024 (in German)“Cannabis as Medicine: Legalisation Through the Back Door”, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 2 December 2024“The German E-Health Act as Goal Tracker for the German Government’s Commitment to E-Health Innovation”, Digital Health Legal, 2018“The (Virtual) Data Room as a Conditio Sine Qua Non for a Successful Transaction”, Science4Life Anniversary Publication, 2018“The Future of the Healthcare Industry?!”, Transkript, 2018“The Use of Telemedicine Has Been Liberalised in Germany”, Digital Health Legal, 2018“Crowdfunding for Biotech Companies”, Transkript, 2017“The Purpose and Content of the (Virtual) Data Room”, Transkript, 2016“Biotechnology and Big Pharma – Success Factors in Exit Transactions”, Biotechnologie, 2016, co-authored with Peter Homberg (in German)“Competition Restrictions in Technology Transfer”, Transkript, 2015