Team size: Nine

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

We have been involved in highly complex and innovative transactions with the most relevant players of the pharmaceutical industry around the world. Hovione is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) dedicated to helping pharmaceutical customers bring new and off-patent drugs to market. The customers’ profile include both big pharma and biotech’s. Hovione is the world leader in spray drying (it has become one of the most successful particle engineering technologies for improving drug bioavailability through the amorphous solid dispersion platform) and is gradually evolving into an IP-centered business model. The legal team reporting to the general counsel is responsible for legal, IP and compliance at Hovione. The team is spread worldwide and includes two chemical engineers.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

Being an in-house lawyer in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry demands a comprehensive understanding of various legal disciplines, including contract law, intellectual property law, regulatory compliance, corporate law, labor and employment law, and litigation. This role requires the ability to draft and negotiate contracts, protect IP, ensure regulatory compliance, manage corporate governance, handle employment disputes, and mitigate litigation risks. Mastery in these areas is essential due to the highly regulated nature of the pharmaceutical industry and the need to safeguard proprietary innovations and maintain compliance with international standards. In addition to legal expertise, an in-house lawyer must possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, effective communication abilities, adaptability, problem-solving skills, and ethical judgment. They must navigate complex legal environments across multiple jurisdictions, including, in our case, the US, Switzerland, Portugal, Ireland, Macau, India, Japan, and China, each with unique regulatory frameworks and legal requirements.

How have you fostered a closer collaboration between the legal department and your business counterparts?

Such collaboration requires building a foundation of mutual understanding and proactive communication. We have weekly cross-functional meetings with our main internal clients, reviewing the work done during the previous week and prioritising work for the following week. All of this is captured through KPIs that we measure weekly. This can help bridge knowledge gaps, allowing the legal team to gain insights into business objectives, while business units better understand legal constraints and opportunities. The other relevant action that we take is embedding legal representatives in key business projects from the onset, ensuring that legal considerations are integrated into the planning and decision-making processes, minimizing risks and fostering a more cohesive strategy. We also attribute what we designate as primary responsibilities of each Legal Counsel, so that we establish open and direct channels for ongoing dialogue, enhancing accessibility and responsiveness, and ensuring that business teams feel supported and informed. Additionally, we promote a culture of collaboration through joint training sessions which strengthen relationships and trust between the legal department and business counterparts. Educating business teams on fundamental legal concepts and the importance of compliance can empower them to identify potential legal issues early and seek timely advice. Conversely, equipping the legal team with a deeper understanding of the business’s strategic goals, market conditions, and operational challenges can enable them to provide more relevant and practical legal solutions.

Do you have a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

If I mention one cause, I will mention the support to refugees, as a profoundly impactful cause that aligns with humanitarian values and offers substantial opportunities for positive change.