The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are highly regulated and fiercely competitive. The sector is also undergoing rapid growth, with the number of new IPOs and listed biotech companies having risen steadily over the past ten years. The market cap of these organisations is currently $24 billion, and many have products in world markets. The pharmaceutical industry is one of Australia’s leading exporters in the manufacturing sector, with exports increasing from just over $100 million to more than $3 billion in the past two decades. Our Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical team has developed a strong base of experience working with operators across these sectors and can deliver a full range of cost effective services, whilst also offering innovative and commercial solutions.

Our lawyers assist in every aspect of our clients’ operations – including the management and protection of intellectual property, regulatory requirements, taxation, insurance, litigation and dispute resolution, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance, research and clinical trial agreements, capital raising, research documentation, venture capital and competition law issues.

We advise listed public companies, medical device and biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, venture capitalists, research and development organisations and start-up companies.

Key Services

We advise on a diverse range of issues affecting our clients across these sectors, including:

• Regulatory compliance
• Intellectual property, including patents, trade marks, copyright, confidential information, IP litigation, licensing and technology transfer, risk management and strategic advice
• Advising on industry specific legislation including the Therapeutic Goods Act and Trade Practices Act
• Mergers & acquisitions
• Venture capital raisings
• Joint ventures
• Agreements, including acquisitions, licensing, clinical trial, joint venture, supply and distribution, confidentiality, technology transfer, research and development, funding and service provision
• Labelling, branding and packaging
• Employment, industrial relations and OH&S
• Information technology
• Property, including leasing, redevelopment, building and construction
• Corporate structure
• Due diligence reviews
• Environment and planning issues
• Product liability
• Risk management
• Taxation issues
• Dispute resolution and litigation