Sidley Austin LLP‘s team is noted for its ’deep bench strength‘ and its experience in acting for companies developing gene therapy products and digital health tools. Praised by clients for her ’confidence and ability‘, Maria Isabel Manley heads up the practice with her vast expertise in damages actions concerning generics, regularly appearing before the CJEU and the Committee of Orphan Medicinal Products. The ’exceptional‘ Robert Darwin maintains a transactional practice, frequently assisting clients with strategic collaborations, private equity buyouts, and investment deals. Noted for his ’in-depth and practical‘ expertise, senior managing associate Chris Boyle is adept at handling both contentious and non-contentious issues surrounding paediatric regulations and supplementary protection certificates, while managing associate Zina Chatzidimitriadou is noted for her broad knowledge of product life cycle management, with an emphasis on pricing and reimbursement issues.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Robert Darwin is an exceptional lawyer with a thorough understanding of his client's commercial requirements. Tough and determined but realistic and deft at getting the deal done in the end.’
‘The team excels at dealing with novel regulatory challenges, they have holistic treatment of product life cycle issues including market access, pricing and reimbursement, while maximising IP and data protection rights. Deep understanding of digital, data and the convergence of drug and medical devices.’
‘Sidley boasts deep bench strength headed by Marie Isabel Manley, with associates Zina Chatzidimitriadou and Chris Boyle. Marie is a leading figure, and Zina and Chris have in-depth and practical subject matter expertise, enabling them to navigate pharma regulations and provide pragmatic solutions.’
‘A deep understanding of the regulatory systems at UK and EU levels, with broad experience in the way companies operate. The team has a very engaging approach in its interactions with other, non-legal, functions in the business and this makes it much easier for advice to be explained and accepted.’
‘Marie Isabel Manley exudes confidence and ability, and this comes across in a very persuasive way. I value her ability to focus in on the key questions and to always have a solution that provides a successful outcome for the company.'
'Chris Boyle has a very reassuring presence, and is calm and reflective, and always appreciates the priority of the client. His advice is concise and always provided with the realities of the business environment in mind.’
‘The Sidley Life Sciences team is great to work with and has a wonderful network of colleagues across the globe who are always ready to support their clients in their needs. They are knowledgeable while always providing "plain English" and clear advice. They are also not afraid to take a view and position when providing advice.’
‘Zina Chatzidimitriadou provides practical, pragmatic, and commercially aware legal advice, always listening to the client. She is approachable and reactive which demonstrates fantastic customer care.'

Key clients

Arat Health, Inc.
Juniper Life Sciences
Perspectum Group Ltd.
Les Laboratoires Servier
Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
Huma Therapeutics Limited
BeiGene
Aperion Capital Limited
Immunocore

Work highlights

Representing Servier in three cases before the High Court and the Supreme Court. This concerns parallel proceedings brought by the health authorities in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland seeking damages for an alleged breach of competition rules in relation to Servier’s drug Perindopril.
Advising Juniper Life Sciences on the negotiation of the licensing and acquisition of the Middle East, African, Asian, and Australasian rights to a number of pharmaceutical products.
Represented Immunocore before the EMA’s Committee of Orphan Medicinal Products against its refusal to recommend Immunocore’s product for an orphan designation.