What We Do

"It is prompt in its responses and the partners are readily available to help.”
Dispute Resolution: Chambers Global 2011

Our Life Sciences Group advises organisations in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical technology, agri-chem and healthcare sectors on the full range of legal issues that affect them.

The Group is structured on a cross-departmental basis, drawing specialist members from the firm's corporate, taxation, litigation, intellectual property, competition, commercial, environmental and property groups.

We advise our clients in relation to:

Recent experience includes:

• advising a leading global pharmaceutical corporation on the establishment of its Protein Discovery and Optimisation Laboratory in Dublin
• advising multinational pharma/bio companies on their establishment of new premises in Ireland 
• advising on the worldwide reorganisation of a multinational pharmaceuticals group 
• advising a global pharmaceutical corporation on the approval by the European Commission of a large aid package from the State 
• multiple restructurings relating to an Irish multinational biotechnology business venture portfolio, and acting as lead counsel to an Irish multinational biotechnology company in the termination of its joint ventures with various biotechnology corporations 
• advising a leading global pharmaceutical corporation on research, clinical trial and service agreements 
• acting for a biotechnology company in its spin-out from Trinity College, Dublin, including the licensing of technology from TCD, and an $8 million financing and subsequent licensing agreement with a global pharmaceutical company and various collaboration agreements 
• acting for a medical technology company in its spin-out from Trinity College, Dublin and advising on the subsequent promotion, sale and distribution of its products 
• advising a US biotechnology company on the promotion, sales and distribution of their first product 
• advising a Japanese pharmaceutical company on pre-clinical research 
• advising a Spanish pharmaceutical company on their proposed importation, promotion, sale and distribution of medicinal products 
• advising a German pharmaceutical company on the regulatory requirements relating to unlicensed medicines 
• advising an Italian company on borderline cosmetic/medicinal products 
• acting as advisors to the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) 
• acting for German medical solutions company in their acquisition of a medical diagnostics division 
• advising a Japanese medical device company on the acquisition of an Irish medical devices manufacturer 
• advising large healthcare company in relation to its takeover 
• acquisition by a Swiss technology company of an Irish healthcare company 
• acting for a Fortune 20 healthcare company in an Irish acquisition 
• acting for a Swiss pharmaceutical company on their acquisition of the research bio-products business and the microbial biopharmaceutical business of a US pharmaceutical company 
• advising a multinational biotechnology company on regulatory, employment and competition law issues relating to a proposed activity 
• technology transfer arrangements between multinational and domestic healthcare groups 
• advising French medical device company on corporate restructuring and equity fund raising 
• advising a German pharmaceutical company on the regulatory impact of their acquisition of a pharmaceutical company 
• advising private equity investors in relation to an investment in an Irish life sciences company 
• acting for the largest general contracting company in Ireland on their acquisition of a medical products distributor 
• representing a blood product manufacturer in respect of ongoing product liability litigation and regulatory hearings 
• representing manufacturers of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, vaccines and tobacco products in ongoing litigation 
• advising a provider of clinical trials services on regulatory and liability issues 
• advising on the parallel importation of agri-chem products and representing the importer in a patent infringement dispute 

Sources remark that “it is prompt in its responses and the partners are readily available to help.”
Dispute Resolution: Chambers Global 2011

Matheson Ormsby Prentice“sets the benchmark for standards in Ireland”.
Corporate and Commercial: European Legal 500 2011

The Matheson Ormsby Prentice team is lauded as ‘first class’.
Employment: European Legal 500 2011

"Matheson Ormsby Prentice has real clout in the Irish legal market, and if you have a tough case they have the resources to assist you,” say interviewees. Clients praise the level of support they receive from the disputes lawyers: “They are never fazed and act incredibly fast, which is of paramount importance in litigation. We get round-the-clock support from them and are never left in the lurch.” Major commercial litigation is very much the order of the day, although the firm's breadth of experience is extensive.
Dispute Resolution: Chambers Global and Chambers Europe 2010

This firm is held in high regard for its corporate M&A expertise, and has been involved in some of the biggest transactions in the market. Matheson Ormsby Prentice is a major player in the international arena. Sources say:“It is an outstanding law firm with some first-class corporate lawyers and a great book of clients.” “The group is incredibly creative, responsive and attentive.”
Corporate M&A: Chambers Global and Chambers Europe 2010

Matheson Ormsby Prentice's life sciences practice draws on the firm's capabilities in corporate, taxation, litigation and intellectual property to offer a full service to pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients.
Life Sciences: European Legal 500 2008