Life Sciences & Healthcare

William Fry is recognised internationally as a leading advisor to the Life Sciences and Healthcare sectors.

Against a backdrop of increasingly complex regulatory regimes and an understanding that timely on-target advice is critical, our multi-disciplinary team of lawyers assists our clients in gaining and maintaining a competitive edge.

Explore our areas of expertise: 

medical_devices_technologies
  Pharmaceuticals_Biotechnology
  healthcare_services

 

Our Life Sciences and Healthcare team is privileged to work with: 

  • start-ups;
  • the world’s largest pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies including GlaxoSmithKline, Eli Lilly and Edwards Lifesciences;
  • finance providers/venture capital investors;
  • healthcare providers, pharmacies, health insurers and related professionals; and
  • government agencies; and academic institutions.

Our range of services spans the entire development cycle of life science companies and their products. We advise on mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions (including licensing and collaborations), IP (contentious and non-contentious), capital markets and finance, taxation and dispute resolution and every phase of a product's life cycle from product development, clinical trials, regulatory approval to commercialisation, infringement disputes and product safety/recall/liability. 

We are recognised by the major global directories as a top-tier Life Sciences firm.  

 

Examples of recent matters on which we have acted include advising:

Intellectual Property & Product Liability Litigation /Regulatory

  • Genentech in its Commercial Court SPC patent infringement proceedings against Amgen in respect of an anti-VEGF antibody used in the treatment of cancer. 
  • Eli Lilly in complex Commercial Court patent revocation proceedings in respect of a patent owned by Eisai Pharmaceuticals relating to the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease, 
  • GlaxoSmithKline in Commercial Court patent infringement proceedings against Pfizer and in defence of Pfizer's counterclaim for invalidity, relating to GSK's MenB vaccine technology and their MenB vaccine, BEXERO.  
  • Boehringer Ingelheim in its defence of two sets of Commercial Court proceedings brought by Teva Pharmaceuticals seeking the revocation of a Boehringer Ingelheim patent and an SPC relating to Boehringer Ingelheim’s bestselling respiratory pharmaceutical product, SPIRIVA.
  • MSD Corp. in the defence of Irish Commercial Court patent infringement proceedings brought by Bristol-Myers Squibb/Ono Pharmaceuticals / Tasuko Honjo relating to anti-PD-1 antibodies in the treatment of cancer and MSD's product, KEYTRUDA.
  • GlaxoSmithKline in its trade mark and passing off action against Rowex Limited and related companies involving the Seretide Inhaler, one of the all-time best-selling prescription drugs.
  • ResMed relating to its range of cloud-connectable medical devices for the treatment of sleep apnoea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other respiratory conditions.

Corporate / M&A & Inward Investment / FDI / Tax

  • Sublimity Therapeutics on ongoing fundraising and general corporate and regulatory matters in relation to creating new therapies in gastrointestinal and immunological diseases.
  • AbbVie / Allergan Acquisition on applicable provisions of the Irish Takeover Rules, and other relevant corporate and takeover law, to a significant shareholder of Allergan plc, in the context of AbbVie's c.$60 billion takeover of Allergan by scheme of arrangement under Ireland's Companies Act 2014.
  • Life Sciences Partners, the leading European life-sciences venture investor, on a series of equity investments in several promising Irish MedTech companies, including Atlantic Therapeutics (focused on the development of products for pelvic floor strengthening and nerve stimulation), Vivasure Medical (specialising in arterial and venous closure devices) and OneProjects Design Innovation (developing a connected platform technology to revolutionise the treatment of atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmias).
  • Uniphar PLC, one of two full line pharmaceutical wholesalers operating in the Irish market, on its €150m IPO and admission to the Euronext Growth and AIM markets of Euronext Dublin and the London Stock Exchange.
  • Edwards Lifesciences on corporate, tax structuring, construction, planning, employment and regulatory issues in relation to the establishment of new facilities in Ireland.   

Reality Bites as Industry Forces Postponement of MDR Implementation

European Parliament votes to extend MDR transition periods to avoid supply shortages of medical devices while NSAI joins the IVDR club.


Court of Appeal Decision Awaited in Biogen Appeal on Interlocutory Injunction

Biogen has appealed a High Court decision, delivered on 26 October 2022, in which Mr Justice Twomey lifted an interlocutory injunction secured by Biogen against Neuraxpharm and Laboratorios Lesvi (which order has been stayed pending appeal) in a patent dispute about a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis.


CJEU Issues Guidance On When Parallel Importers Can Rebrand Generics As Branded Medicines

New CJEU guidance on rebranding parallel imported medicines.


Court of Appeal Gives Stark Warning to Legal Practitioners and Expert Witnesses

A recent decision from the Court of Appeal has considered the role of expert witnesses, with Collins J describing the case as "disturbing" and expressing the hope "that its like will not be seen again". The leading judgment was delivered by Noonan J, with Collins J delivering a separate concurring judgment. Collins J also issued a word of warning to legal practitioners in relation to costs where they fail to comply with their duties concerning expert evidence.


Industry Impacts? Council of the EU publishes new compromise text for the Artificial Intelligence Act

The new compromise text published by the Council of the EU for the Artificial Intelligence Act contains some interesting new additions that may significantly impact industry.


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Team

  • Sources laud the team's "strategic thinking" in complex cross-border disputes, going on to say: "The firm is very efficient and has a lot of depth of talent." Another client adds that "the lawyers find practical solutions to complex and sensitive legal problems." Chambers Europe 2020
  • One client describes the lawyers as "incredibly responsive" and "very easy to deal with" adding that they provide "succinct and well-delivered advice". Chambers Europe 2019
  • One client admires the "width and depth of expertise within the firm" and lauds the department as a "strong practice that understands the minutiae of the life sciences sector." Sources appreciate the "first-rate access and availability" of the team and describe its advice as "considered, pragmatic and clear." Chambers Europe, 2017

Laura Scott

  • Laura has been described as an "expert in all areas of IP." One client reports they have worked with Laura "on a number of cases in the last 12 months ranging from SPC validity proceedings to copyright. We are awaiting judgment in one case where I expected we would lose at the proofs stage but now believe that we will likely win because of the work put in by the team. On the IP side I would rate Fry as the leading firm in Ireland." Another client adds that Laura "stands out for her technical know-how and is an excellent drafter." Legal 500 2020
  • Laura has been ranked in IP Stars 2019 as one of the Top 250 Women in IPglobally.  
  • Laura Scott  is a highly respected IP practitioner with significant expertise in patent litigation. Sources praise her client-oriented approach, highlighting her "commitment and attention to detail" and adding that "she's a pleasure to deal with." Chambers Europe 2019
  • "Outstanding and a real pleasure to work with...Laura is a highly experienced litigator with intimate knowledge of all areas of intellectual property."  WTR1000 2019
  • “She is calm under pressure and has a depth of knowledge and experience which inspires confidence in her clients,” observes one source. Chambers Europe 2018
  • Laura is "on top of the technical detail...strategic and practical" and is praised for her "attention to detail and drafting skills". Legal 500 EMEA 2018 
  • Laura Scott receives plaudits for her trade mark and patent litigation practice, with particular knowledge of the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. Clients say: "She is very hard-working, responsive and dedicated to leaving no stone unturned in considering and communicating all available options. She is also extremely pleasant to work with." Chambers Europe 2017
  • Laura Scott has the ‘Midas touch with clients’. Legal 500 EMEA 2017

Fiona Barry

  • According to Chambers Europe 2020, clients appreciate that Fiona Barry is "very careful and thorough," while market commentators highlight her ability to "efficiently find her way to the core of the case." Another clients add that Fiona is "very timely and clear in her advice."
  • Sources say Fiona Barry is "knowledgeable, practical, clear, concise and not afraid to express an opinion." She is widely esteemed for her contentious experience, including acting on defamation suits. One source says: "She is excellent: confident, careful and easy to get on with."  Chambers Europe 2019
  • Fiona is particularly noted for her work on matters related to medical negligence and for acting for insurance companies on personal injury claims and is well regarded by market commentators for her media expertise. Chambers Europe 2018 
  • Fiona Barry is "straightforward and clear". Legal 500 EMEA 2018
  • According to Chambers Global 2017, Fiona holds a commanding position in the medical negligence and healthcare litigation sphere, including regulatory and insurance matters where clients praise her as being "responsive, knowledgeable and pleasant." 
  • Fiona Barry is ‘responsive, calm and considered’. Legal 500 EMEA 2016

Mark Quealy

  • Mark regularly acts for companies on cross-border disposals to private equity funds. Clients value Mark's knowledge and experience, with one source reporting: "He is very knowledgeable in terms of the market and gives good guidance." Chambers Global 2020
  • Mark progresses in the rankings, with one client describing him as "very proactive and pragmatic," and another saying that "he is very focused on commercial outcomes." He has particular experience of transactions involving private equity and venture capital elements. Chambers Europe 2019
  • Mark Quealy is "well-prepared." Legal 500 2018
  • Clients appreciate that he is "very quick to determine what to do from a practical point of view to get the deal over the line quickly." He has played a key role on numerous recent acquisitions. Chambers Global 2018

Charleen O'Keeffe

  • Charleen is ranked as a 'Rising Star' with Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars 2020.
  • Charleen is described as ‘an original thinker’. Legal 500 EMEA 2018

Key Contacts

Laura Scott Partner

Mark Quealy Partner

Fiona Barry Partner

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