Pharma/Life Sciences: France

THE FIRM This magic circle practice has a clear focus on representing pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and is widely recognised for its prowess in litigation. The group benefits from the firm's global capacity and advises on related contentious and non-contentious IP matters, as well as M&A, capital markets, regulatory, dispute resolution and private equity. Recent highlights include assisting Merck Sharpe & Dohme with proceedings against two large generic manufacturers concerning the IP rights for a blockbuster drug. The group is also representing GlaxoSmithKline in a trade mark infringement case, and advising Novartis on the definition and implementation of IP strategy to prevent the unlawful market entry of generic products. Other key clients include Abbott Laboratories and Johnson & Johnson. 

Sources say: "The life sciences practice group delivers a quality product – it's very impressive in all areas."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Olivier Fréget leads the team on EU competition and dispute resolution matters, and is recognised by sources as "a real expert in competition for pharmaceutical matters." 

Eminent patent litigation practitioner Pierre Lenoir is noted for his profound knowledge of the life sciences industry.

Laetitia Benard heads the regulatory and litigation team and is regarded by sources as "a standout practitioner in this area."

THE FIRM This well-respected life sciences group advises a varied range of French and international pharmaceutical and biotech companies, as well as private equity and venture capital funds. It specialises in regulatory matters, particularly relating to M&A, tax and litigation. Headline matters include acting for Astellas Pharma on an agreement with Aveo Pharmaceuticals for the joint global development and marketing of a cancer treatment, worth USD1.3 billion. Further key clients include Cephalon, GlaxoSmithKline, Crédit Agricole Private Equity and Wyeth. 

Sources say: "The team is clearly present in this field and always produces good work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing partner Alain Decombe is widely recognised for his profound understanding of the corporate landscape, and excels in assisting leading international life sciences companies. He recently advised Air Liquide on its acquisition of Dinno Santé.

Dual US and French-qualified Jonathan Schur has a strong corporate and regulatory background. He regularly advises pharma and medical device clients on M&A and joint ventures.

Emmanuelle Trombe is highlighted for her corporate and commercial capacities in the life sciences sector. She advised Covance on the signing of agreements with Sanofi to become the latter's R&D partner, in a potentially billion-dollar deal. 

THE FIRM The life sciences group at this full-service French powerhouse is particularly esteemed for its advice on corporate, regulatory and product liability-related matters, and also handles M&A, IP, tax and competition and distribution issues. Headline matters of late include advising Stryker on a number of patent and corporate matters, and assisting with the reorganisation of its commercial network in France, including termination of contracts and the negotiation of new contracts. Other key clients include Bayer, Colgate-Palmolive, Johnson & Johnson and Servier.

Sources say: "Salans has great strength and capacity in the life sciences sphere." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources unanimously agree that Pascale Poupelin is one of the strongest regulatory lawyers in the pharma and life sciences area, as well as a fine litigator. She recently assisted GlaxoSmithKline with proceedings before the French National Authority for Health relating to the reimbursement of an oncology medicine.

Experienced practice head François Vignaud advises on corporate/M&A matters, contract law, and regulatory and pre-litigation aspects of life sciences law. He recently advised Johnson & Johnson on a regulatory analysis. 

Jean-Marc Grosperrin is playing an increasing role in the department, adding weight to the team's life sciences expertise. 

THE FIRM This 14-lawyer practice stands out for its activity in pharmaceutical product liability matters, and also handles commercial litigation, competition, regulatory and corporate work. It handled a number of high-profile matters of late, including major equity capital markets transactions, cross-border M&A, global licensing agreements, blockbuster patent infringements and competition authority raids. The team also advises on clinical trial agreements, medical advertising regulation, pharmaceutical trade marks, corporate governance, and tax and employment matters. Highlights include advising a global medical devices company on a tax-driven restructuring, which involved co-ordinating the transfer of shares and contributions of affiliates across ten jurisdictions. The group also advised an Asian pharma company on its auction bid for the acquisition of a worldwide portfolio of products, which required a multidisciplinary team formed from the corporate, competition, employment and IP departments.

Sources say: "It is clearly a top firm in this area, providing great quality work and internationally established experience – the best group in the market in terms of product liability."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Celebrated lawyer Jacques-Antoine Robert leads the firm's life sciences and litigation practice, and remains an incontestable market leader in pharmaceutical product liability. He is also recognised for his extensive work in regulatory, competition and commercial litigation, advising many of the top global pharma companies. Sources describe him as "a clearly outstanding litigator and lawyer – both famous and respected."

Younger partner Alexandre Regniault maintains his market position and is highlighted for his growing visibility in this field. He advises pharma and biotech names on a range of matters, including contentious, regulatory and transactional issues. 

THE FIRM The life sciences team at this international firm is made up of practitioners from the litigation, regulatory, contracts, corporate, IP, competition and employment groups. It is increasingly focusing on regulatory, compliance and product safety issues, but is perhaps best recognised for its prowess in product liability and IP matters. Key clients include Abbott Laboratories, Bayer, Wright Medical and Servier. The team recently represented Baxter in a range of product liability cases, and assisted Eli Lilly with a patent and supplementary protection certificate validity dispute and an infringement counterclaim against Teva.

Sources say: "Good cross-border capacity and undeniable strength in life sciences." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Cécile Derycke specialises in product liability and commercial litigation, with a particular focus on pharmaceuticals and medical devices. According to sources, she is "unafraid of new challenges or of taking the time to fully educate the client in the unique elements of a case, delivering positive results." 

THE FIRM This highly sought after French firm concentrates on regulatory and competition-related pharmaceutical matters. Market commentators recognise it as a leading boutique in the field, and praise its experience. The compact team also focuses on product liability work, and is noted for its ability to advise on high-end or sophisticated matters.  

Sources say: "A wonderful French boutique with excellence in this field." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Much of the group's reputation can be credited to lead partner Christophe Hénin, who stands out for his leading competition and regulatory expertise. Clients describe him as "a true expert in regulation and community law – he is one of the country's strongest specialists."

THE FIRM The relatively compact dedicated team at this international powerhouse concentrates on a range of pharmaceutical matters, focusing mainly on regulatory advice. The group benefits from the firm's extensive resources and international capabilities, and is active in defending and promoting the pharmaceutical industry's interests when it comes to the development and adoption of legislation and regulations. Recent highlights include representing a large pharmaceutical company in a claim to the French Ministry of Health, to obtain the withdrawal of a Ministerial Order in the field of products reimbursement.

Sources say: "As a client, you appreciate the firm's ability to guide you cohesively and provide support on a worldwide basis."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Regulatory expert Thomas Devred is "a highly reactive and receptive adviser," say sources.

THE FIRM The ten-strong team at this magic circle firm enters the rankings this year following positive market feedback. It acts for an enviable client base in the life sciences sector, with key highlights including advising Pfizer on the USD3 million acquisition of assets, and assisting Novartis with proceedings before the civil courts relating to an alleged defective product. The team also advised GE Healthcare on legal issues surrounding the promotion of medical devices.

Sources say: "The team has a very good style, significant experience and total transparency."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jean-Frédéric Gaultier is the key client contact here.

THE FIRM This highly visible life sciences practice maintains a strong market position, largely thanks to its strength in regulatory matters. It acts for some high-profile clients, including GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Eli Lilly. It recently handled a litigation matter before the state council regarding the annulment of decisions relating to reimbursement rates of several products, and advised Takeda on its USD9.6 billion cross-border acquisition of Nycomed.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Prominent partner Bernard Geneste has notable experience in a range of life science and healthcare matters, with a strong focus on regulatory work. Sources highlight his "excellent technique and capacity for administrative matters," calling him "an impressive lawyer."

THE FIRM This full-service independent firm handles a wide range of both contentious and non-contentious life sciences and pharmaceutical matters. The 13-strong team is recognised for its regulatory capacities, and is praised for its responsiveness and strength in advising on pan-European issues in both French and English. 

Sources say: "The lawyers are simply very good to work with, giving absolute value for money." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS The standout Jean-Marie Job has profound experience in the pharma industry and health law, informed by his previous in-house position at a major pharmaceutical company. Clients praise him as "an excellent lawyer with good commercial knowledge and a strong understanding of the dynamics. He always applies his sharp common sense to matters."

Sources hail recent arrival Valerie Lafarge-Sarkozy for her experience in complex litigation and mass suits. She typically advises clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech, food product, cosmetics and agrifood industries. 

THE FIRM The life sciences team at this relatively young firm concentrates on product liability and regulatory matters. The firm has a significant focus on competition law as well as litigation and arbitration, and it represents several major names in the international pharma sector.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Widely recognised practice head Etienne Gouesse is applauded for his close involvement in cases and for his problem-solving abilities. Sources describe him as "a rising star with a talent for litigation and a good life sciences practice."