Philip Lee is an internationally recognised firm in the Life Sciences industry. In this highly specialised sector our clients choose us not just for our sound technical grasp of the issues, but also because we can respond so effectively across a wide range of projects.

We work with globally acclaimed medical technology companies as well as multinational pharmaceutical companies, and are proud of our work with start-up and early stage companies too.

Healthcare Law

Years of experience in healthcare issues means that we have a clear and comprehensive knowledge bank to draw on for our clients. We regularly advise on the statutory powers and duties under the Health Acts and on the impact of all statutes, directives and regulations across the healthcare sector. We have also advised on the drafting of secondary legislation of certain healthcare acts and developed invaluable relationships with those working to better the healthcare system.

In addition, Philip Lee has been involved in the drafting and negotiation of contracts in this sector, successfully defending actions claiming breach of contract, and have also represented clients in actions relating to pharmacy contracts.

We also advise on care of the elderly and on hospital developments as well as all aspects of health legislation and its application to providers, healthcare patients and the industry as a whole.

Pharmaceuticals

The firm’s expertise in this exciting sector has developed rapidly, and we now advise many of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies on clinical trial arrangements and pharmaceutical-regulatory issues. We work on exclusive distribution agreements in the Irish market, including the reviewing, drafting and negotiating processes. Intellectual Property rights are a key factor in this area and clients seek our advice on patent issues relating to third party competitors wishing to warehouse medicines in non-patent protected countries in anticipation of entering markets immediately upon patent expiry.

In 2008 – 2009, we advised a billion dollar pharmaceutical company on its roll-out of a proposed clinical trial across Europe. Our role involved advising the client on a number of complex patent issues, including whether and to what extent, third party patent rights might impact on the conduct of the clinical trial in any of the many jurisdictions.

As with our other core areas, we work to ensure that we have the expertise and market knowledge to exceed our clients’ expectations.

Life Sciences

Philip Lee has a very active life sciences practice; we advise a number of leading international pharmaceutical & medical device companies on a wide range of matters including: 

• their dealings with the IMB;
• distribution arrangements; 
• drug research & development; 
• clinical trials in Ireland and the related indemnities for these; 
• dealing with adverse drug reactions; 
• obligations under data protection - particularly to patients;
• parallel importation of medicines; and 
• patent & other intellectual property assets.

Our lawyers have litigated some significant pharmaceutical patent disputes in Ireland, as well as having extensive experience in advising and acting for private health insurers.