The dedicated Life Sciences industry group of BarentsKrans is a multi-practice industry group. The team operates across all relevant legal disciplines involved in supporting this sector. We provide comprehensive and tailored solutions for your legal needs.

The team is internationally highly respected and stands out for its extensive experience and knowledge of the regulatory, commercial, transactional, competition and intellectual property issues that impact the field of Life Sciences. The firm is a long-established player combining legal expertise with in-depth industry knowledge and an established international network of life science focussed law firms in all major jurisdictions.

Responses are swift and correct. Time is efficiently used and solutions are provided.

Legal 500, 2023

Pharmaceutical patent, regulatory and product liability litigation and advice

The profound expertise in multi-jurisdictional pharmaceutical patent and SPC litigation results in major pharmaceutical companies selecting BarentsKrans as the go-to firm in this field of expertise and that for many years. We have, for instance, successfully lead the charge in the EU-wide litigation between Viatris and Novartis regarding fingolimod (Gilenya®), for which we have received the LMG Life Sciences EMEA impact case of the year award, and we are currently involved in patent litigation on, inter alia, dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera®).

In our IP & Technology team, we also handle regulatory disputes regarding the granting of EU and national marketing authorisations and the enforcement of regulatory data protection and market exclusivity. In addition, we are involved in some major product liability cases for pharmaceutical companies, and both advise and litigate on the development and market introduction of medical devices and diagnostic products. The Life Sciences industry group further assists (inter)national clients in the industry with respect to:

1. Clinical trials and the Bolar exemption;
2. Advertising matters, such as disputes on misleading and/or comparative advertising;
3. Trademarks, copyright and design issues relating to medical devices;
4. Incentive programs for medical practitioners;
5. And negotiating and drafting all types of licenses, cooperation & (co-)development, supply & distribution and technology transfer agreements.

Corporate / M&A

The Dutch life sciences industry is amongst the world’s best. To stay ahead of the competition, forming the right alliances is essential. Our lawyers and civil-law notaries are frequently asked to execute and supervise transactions and to perform due diligence projects. The M&A members of our life sciences team assist in negotiating and structuring acquisitions and various forms of cooperation. In the sector, short and mid-term capital requirements remain a constant challenge. We are very experienced in assisting in venture capital, private equity, MBO and MBI transactions, the setting up of joint ventures and financing agreements.