Spotlight on: Innovations within legal and successful collaborations

Working as the head of legal and compliance at Juniper Biologics which is a pharmaceutical start-up I have had to optimise our legal and compliance function to meet the business needs as well as our limited budget. I wanted to have the same ‘best in class’ legal and compliance program as a big company but I didn’t have the same resources or budget. I investigated how I could leverage artificial intelligence (AI), looked at our existing systems like Teams and decided what processes and procedures were a ‘must have’. A key part of my idea was how to get the business to buy into my plan to make many of our processes automated and make the business the owner of these matters.

For example, I targeted contract management. Using AI and Teams, I created templates and contract process flow. I then collaborated with our business team that they will draft and finalise their contracts. The business generates and amends the template with a final review by me. This has saved me hours of time. AI has also been very useful for generating compliance processes and approval forms.

Gaining the business support was easier when I worked with them to establish clear processes and procedures. In a start-up working with people from the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Australia as well as our licensors from Japan and Korea understanding cultural differences has also been essential to ensure communication is effective.

With implementation and training and giving the business accountability for many processes that previously Legal & compliance would own such as fair market value, third party diligence as well as establishing data rooms. I have created an environment where the business team has the ownership, and I oversee and answer questions.

This methodology started out as a trial to see if I could fit more into my day particularly when I was busy negotiating deals or managing board issues and as I became more proficient, I saw more opportunities. It does rely on the business also being accountable and asking for help when necessary, as there is clearly more of a risk that things can go wrong without constant oversight but so far it’s been amazing journey.

What is a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about, and why?

I am passionate about developing the junior members of the profession and am an active member of the Singaporean legal and compliance team, being a mentor with the SCCA as well as on the Committee of the APAC Legal, Ethics and Compliance Group. I also informally mentor young lawyers who reach out for help and advice. Its real privilege to give back and then watch these people fly.