Praised for its ‘outstanding’ work, the team at Pestalozzi acts for a variety of clients, including service providers, financial investors, and manufacturers of medical devices. The group has deep bench strength across a broad range of issues involving import and export regulations, the application of medicinal products, and the distribution of cannabis products. Practice co-head Franz Schubiger is noted for his vast expertise in M&A, private equity and venture capital transactions, and restructurings. Lara Dorigo co-leads the team, and is known for her expansive knowledge of disputes within the life sciences sector, with particular emphasis on small molecules, biosimilars, and monoclonal antibodies. Co-head Christian Roos leads the firm’s employment and pensions practice, advising on social plan negotiations and restrictive covenants within the pharma and medical device industries. Sarah Drukarch regularly assists both domestic and overseas companies on R&D project negotiations, and post-marketing set-ups.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Pestalozzi is a small firm with very knowledgeable attorneys. They are very responsive and provide very good, concise advice. They understand the pharmaceutical industry well, and provide practical advice on operating and structuring work in Switzerland to be compliant with the regulatory requirements in the market. ’
‘Franz Schubiger is great at putting together the right resources and subject matter experts for each matter to provide advice quickly and efficiently. ’
‘Highly professional and skilled team.’
‘Knowledge of the market, ability to handle complex cases.’
‘Franz Schubiger and his team delivered outstanding work in a very efficient way and always on time.’
‘Always a pleasure to work with Franz Schubiger.’
Key clients
- Akorn Pharmaceuticals
- Akorn Operating Company
- Akorn AG
- Astellas Pharma Europe
- European Investment Bank
- GE Healthcare
- GE Medical Systems (Switzerland)
- Kite Pharma
- DePuy Synthes division
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV
- Johnson & Johnson
- JJDC, Inc.
- Kenvue Inc.
- Lanxess Deutschland GmbH
- MGI Tech.
- Newron Pharmaceuticals SpA
- Nutriathletic AG
- Merck KGaA
- SSP Deutschland GmbH
- Select Service Partner (Schweiz) AG
- University Hospital Zurich
- Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.
Work highlights
- Advising The European Investment Bank on a cross-border EUR 25m venture debt transaction with GeNeuro SA, a biopharmaceutical company with operations in Switzerland and France.
- Represented Newron Pharmaceuticals in proceedings before the Federal Administrative Court and the Federal Supreme Court regarding the grant of an SPC forsafinamide, a compound used in the treatment of the Parkinson disease. The dispute involved the novel legal question whether an SPC can be granted if the marketing authorisation covers a single compound, but indicates that the compound is to be used in combination with a second compound, and the basic patent covers the combination therapy.
- Advising Johnson & Johnson on Swiss legal and tax matters relating to its subsidiaries operating in and from Switzerland, and the different franchises of the group (pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer healthcare and consumer goods).
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Franz Schubiger, Lara Dorigo, Christian Roos