The Cambridge office of Goodwin has a specialist technology and life sciences team that is 'very engaged, pragmatic and creative, and so able to solve more complex issues'. It is part of a global practice that acts for biotechnology companies across the entire corporate lifecycle, as well as advising major venture capital and investment firms. The key practitioners are David Mardle , who has extensive experience in M&A and capital markets; commercial IP specialist Malcolm Bates, who is a key adviser to pioneering small activating RNA (RNAa) therapeutics company MiNA Therapeutics; and contracts expert Tim Worden , who handles licensing and partnering deals, R&D agreements, clinical trials agreements and distribution agreements. Up-and-coming partner Elizabeth Rhodes is also highly recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Goodwin have been following our business journey almost since inception and be part of our expanded team. They are both very knowledgeable, committed to help the client and always available to prioritise work to get things over the line quickly.'
'They know the sector well and have undertaken numerous similar transactions and know the major players in the field.'
'David Mardle and Malcolm Bates are exceptional partners. They have been following our business journey almost since inception and be part of our expanded team. They are both very knowledgeable, committed to helping the client and always available to prioritise work to get things over the line quickly.'
‘Very capable and diligent. A wide range of experience that they bring to engaged matters. ’
‘Tim Worden is excellent and meticulous. Very responsive and thorough with reviews and advice.’
'We have a longstanding relationship going back many years with Malcolm Bates which means he knows our company. His science background enables him to see potential issues and provide solutions.'
'The team has a really good understanding of things that need to be considered in relation to IP licensing. Extensive experience of the biotech space as well as issues relating to JVs, acquisitions and establishment of new companies. They have coverage in jurisdictions other than England and Wales (eg US), which is helpful. They recognise the importance of a pragmatic, commercial approach to contracting.'
Key clients
- CMR Surgical
- Gimv
- Cambridge Innovation Capital
- Panakes Partners
- Seroba Life Sciences
- Hadean Ventures
- Oxford Science Enterprises plc (“OSE”)
- SV Health Managers LLP (“SV Health”)
- Sofinnova Partners (“Sofinnova”)
- Longwood Fund IV LP (“Longwood”)
- Chemify
- Evonetix
- Synaffix
- MiNA
- WuXi Biologics
- Renaissance Pharma Ltd.
- Tay Therapeutics
- Traverse Biotech
- Polpharma Biologics
- Stalicla
- Closed Loop Medicine
- Calypso Biotech
Work highlights
- Advised Synaffix on a number of licensing and collaboration agreements with MacroGenics Inc., ABL Bio, Inc. SOTIO Biotech and Innovent Biologics.
- Advised CMR Surgical on their recent US$165 million fundraising. The funding round was led by all of its major existing investors, including Ally Bridge Group, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Escala Capital, LGT and its affiliate impact investing platform Lightrock, RPMI Railpen, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Tencent and Watrium.
- Advised Closed Loop Medicine in a global co-development partnership with Pharmanovia, to provide dose optimised personalised therapies.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Malcolm Bates, David Mardle, Tim Worden