Welcome to the 2012 edition of our Life Sciences and Healthcare e-zine.

I am the Consultant of the Clinical Advisory Group here at William Fry and work alongside associates Sinéad Keavey, Aimée Lenehan, Mark O’Shaugnessy, and solicitor Ruth Finnerty. We specialise in advising healthcare professionals on their practice, including the defence of claims and at disciplinary hearings.  There are reports at the moment that the Government is considering ways of reducing costs in medical negligence cases. In this edition, Aimée Lenehan and I look at the proposals understood to be before the Government and highlight a number of alternative cost-saving measures already in place.

Also included in this edition are updates on developments of interest in the IP, competition law and regulatory fields, including reports on a number of decisions of the European Court of Justice. We also continue to update you on life sciences transactions in which William Fry has advised and in this regard we include a report on BioMarin’s acquisition of Pfizer’s plant in Co Cork, making it the first time the company has located biopharmaceutical production outside of the United States.
 
We hope you find this e-zine informative. If you have any queries or comments, please let me or your usual William Fry contact know.

Margaret Muldowney
Consultant

To view the articles, please click the relevant link below:

• Acquisition of Pfizer Plant by BioMarin
• Proposal for a Medical Injuries Assessment Board
• European Court Rules on Patentability of Stem Cells
• The Highs and the Lows – What Happens When Drug Patents Expire?
• Name of Repackager Not Required on Pharmaceuticals
• European Court Decision Underlines Strict Approach to Bans on Internet Sales
• Supplementary Protection Certificates: A Positive Spin on a Negative Term
• January 2012 Pharmaceutical Regulatory News