Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences

Dechert LLP

Dechert LLP houses a ‘dynamic’ team which advises a number of notable clients, including Roche and Sofinnova. The group displays ’great’ expertise when handling a broad range of issues, including financings, cases against the French Competition Authority, and the IP aspects of transactions. Alain Decombe and Mélanie Thill-Tayara jointly head the practice. Decombe is known for his deep corporate expertise which spans the negotiation and structuring of share deals, and corporate reorganisations. Thill-Tayara has ample knowledge of antitrust and competition issues, having acted in numerous abuse of dominance and cartel disputes before both EU and French courts. Regulatory specialist Sophie Pelé frequently assists clients with public law-related issues, including contentious market access matters before the administrative supreme court in France.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'A dynamic team, which is up-to-date with the latest news. They have great expertise and strive to satisfy the needs of its customers.'
'Perfect understanding of the sector and its environment. Very easy contact and mutual trust with the customer.'

Key clients

ArchiMed
Abivax
Cathay Capital
Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA
Havéa Group
HRA Pharma
Mayoly Spindler
Roche
Sofinnova

Work highlights

Represented Roche in its appeal before the Paris Court of Appeal against the €400+m fine initially imposed by the French Competition Authority for an abuse of collective dominance with Novartis. The fine was completely canceled.
Advised Abivax on its biotech private placement.
Advised Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA on its US$1.4 bn acquisition of Amryt Pharma Plc.