Dr. Zackory Burns advises clients across the life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, digital health and med-tech sectors on a broad range of complex commercial, intellectual property, and research-driven transactions.

With dual training as a scientist and a lawyer, Dr. Burns brings a distinctive interdisciplinary perspective to structuring and negotiating strategic collaborations, licensing arrangements, research and development agreements, clinical and commercial supply deals, and manufacturing and distribution transactions. His practice spans the entire life sciences lifecycle—from early discovery through clinical development, regulatory approval, and commercialization—and is informed by deep familiarity with industry-standard practices and evolving regulatory and market expectations.

Dr. Burns is known for his ability to translate scientific and technical subject matter into legally precise, commercially sound agreements. He regularly counsels clients on the intellectual property, diligence, publication, data use, and confidentiality considerations that arise in complex R&D partnerships, and has advised on transactions involving cutting-edge platforms in mRNA therapeutics, gene editing, cell therapy, diagnostics, and digital health technologies. He also frequently negotiates transactions related to companion diagnostics, combination products, and synthetic biology tools.

Prior to joining Freshfields, Dr. Burns practiced at leading life sciences law firms, where he represented public and private companies, research institutions, and academic medical centers in a wide array of domestic and cross-border transactions. He also served as in-house counsel at a major biotechnology company, where he supported global discovery and research teams in structuring collaboration agreements, complex licensing arrangements, and other operational agreements with academic institutions, government agencies and industry partners.