Team size: Eight

What are the most significant cases, transactions or projects that your legal team has recently been involved in?

Our legal team has been involved in our company’s ongoing efforts to partner with the healthcare ecosystem to increase access to healthcare as well as evidence-based outcomes for patients. The company recently shared its collaborative initiatives which look to improve preventative measures in cardiovascular disease, which has been a prominent issue in Japan. We presented this evidence at the recent G7 event in Nagasaki in May 2023. The team has been involved in legal advisory work, for example data privacy, which has provided a solid foundation for our projects with multiple stakeholders.

Our legal team has also played a significant role in the transaction that enabled us to develop the innovative approach, Radioligand Therapy (RLT), for the benefit of patients and customers in the Japanese market. Due to the complexity of regulations, the legal team has been expected to provide creative solutions to deliver RLT to patents and to address unmet medical needs.

Could you share an example of a time when your team came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?

We implemented cross-functional workshops to refine our contract templates with user-friendly drafting tips. We incorporated boilerplate provisions that reflect our internal policies. This enables business owners to efficiently make a first-draft contract for legal review and allows them to easily follow the internal policies. Furthermore, based on our practical observations and a risk-based approach, we have removed legal review processes for certain type of contracts, high volume but low risk, by providing drafting tips in the template it allows business owners the ability to draft and execute themselves. Apart from contracting, legal approval has been significantly decreased and removed from various internal processes. This means that our legal team can commit to the role of legal advisors rather than us simply approving processes as they come.

How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values?

When we engage with external lawyers, expertise, objectivity, and timeliness of delivery are all important considerations. Most importantly, we are running a business in an evolving and uncertain world therefore decisions need to be made in line with our company’s core value. We expect our lawyers to understand our goals and their legal advice should be aligned with our values so that business leaders and employees are confident in their duty. The importance of engaging external lawyers who are aligned with our values is increasing as we aim to be accountable, transparent, and build trust with society.

How do you suggest in-house lawyers build strong relationships with business partners?

In-house lawyers are required to be accountable and must show their rationale in their decisions and discuss all issues with business partners. We will have common priorities with business partners as well as a common understanding of the business environment. In-house lawyers play a navigational role as they suggest multiple business scenarios, relevant risks, as well as proposed actions to drive business for the benefit of patients, customers, and stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem. Legal is also in the position to identify lessons within the organisation and to proactively provide strategic advice to help overcome these lessons.