Known for its ability to handle regulatory issues relating to orphan drugs, cell and gene therapy products, and digital health tools, Sidley Austin LLP is additionally active across areas including product liability, cybersecurity, M&A, and collaborations and licencing. Maria Isabel Manley leads the life sciences team for Sidley's office in London and frequently brings her knowledge of EU and UK regulatory and competition law to bear when representing clients before regulatory authorities. Robert Darwin is a key contact for global life sciences and healthcare corporations looking to do transactions. James Wood is well-placed to handle M&A work in the sector. Solicitor advocate Chris Boyle, and Zina Chatzidimitriadou, who excels in market access strategy matters, are further recommended.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Chris Boyle is a vet as well as lawyer, so he understands the animal health industry first hand and speaks our language! Chris has instigated an Animal Health Legal Forum, bringing together others in he industry, which is a great innovation.’

  • ‘Marie Manley and Chris Boyle are both stand out lawyers. They are approachable, straight-talking and pragmatic. They are clearly both experts in their areas, and we trust and value their advice. ’

  • ‘The team represeents the wide range of practices required to thrive in the Pharma industry.’

  • ‘Besides knowing their in-house expertise and specialists, they are themselves very effective in rapid problem-solving. No fuzz, just effective, concise answers and solutions. In this aspect it is especially worth mentioning Robert Darwin as an example.’

  • ‘I find their approach to be innovative and comprehensive. Their reputation and also their approach shows a significant depth of knowledge of market / sector knowledge, as well as engaging with key opinion leaders and innovators.’

  • ‘I have worked closely with Robert Darwin for a number of years. He has deep knowledge of the life sciences sector, as well as of the key influencers and trends.'

  • ‘Sidley has one of the top three life sciences and healthcare practices, with an excellent combination of regulatory, licensing and M&A transactional and capital markets experience. ’

  • ‘Exceptional knowledge and understanding of the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. The lawyers navigate the regulatory challenges with considerable ease.’

Key clients

  • Les Laboratoires Servier
  • Arat Health, Inc.
  • Perspectum Group Ltd.
  • Savillex Corporation
  • Carlin Consumer Health
  • Redmile Group LLC
  • Immunocore

Work highlights

  • Supported and represented Immunocore in its successful appeal against a NICE decision to refuse to recommend a life-extending cancer therapy available to patients with rare eye cancer.
  • Representing French pharmaceutical company Les Laboratoires Servier as co-lead counsel before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in appeals by Servier (Case C-201/19 P) and the European Commission (Case C-176/19 P) against a General Court judgment (Case T-691/14).
  • Advising Arat Health, Inc. on establishing the Roha Medical Campus, a groundbreaking hospital and medical complex in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
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.

Maria Isabel Manley

Other key lawyers

Robert Darwin, James Wood, Chris Boyle, Zina Chatzidimitriadou