Life sciences

Developments in pharmaceuticals, biotech and MedTech are reshaping healthcare, offering new possibilities alongside complex legal and regulatory demands. Our work spans M&A and IP licensing, antitrust, litigation and international arbitration, data protection, product liability, and regulatory matters – supporting clients as they navigate this rapidly changing environment.

To deliver this, Freshfields provides a fully connected global team, helping clients with their most critical matters. We are deep-rooted in the industry with experience that informs everything we do. Many of our lawyers have scientific backgrounds and bring first-hand life sciences industry experience.

We have supported companies at various stages of growth, from early stage biotechs to large multinationals and investors.

Amid rapid global change, we are positioned to advise clients with new and ever-changing challenges. AI is driving rapid change in the way the life sciences industry approaches research, development and regulatory challenges.  It is creating significant opportunities, alongside data and oversight concerns. Environmental considerations are prompting new reporting obligations. Competition authorities are becoming more rigorous in assessing life sciences and healthcare transactions. By tracking and anticipating these shifts globally, we help clients adapt to—and anticipate—change.

As China’s role in the life sciences ecosystem grows increasingly important, Freshfields remains at the forefront of the sector’s shifting landscape. As one of the few global firms with a dedicated life sciences team in China, we advise multinational companies on investments and local transactions, as well as commercial and regulatory matters across the full product lifecycle. We also have extensive experience advising on licensing and collaboration arrangements and commercial agreements involving Chinese companies.