Cynthia T. Mazareas

Leaders in Law endorses Cynthia Mazareas as our exclusively recommended Life Sciences Law expert in the USA – Massachusetts. If you wish to get in touch with Cynthia, please use the contact information provided above.

Cynthia Mazareas is a leading corporate attorney and trusted business advisor to companies in the life sciences, medical device and biopharmaceutical industries. She has more than 25 years of experience providing ongoing, strategic business counsel to boards, management teams and in-house counsel, representing both high-growth private and public companies in day-to-day corporate matters and helping these companies navigate through complex business transactions. She is a member of the firm’s Life Sciences Group and Corporate Governance and Disclosure Group.

Firm Overview:

Established in 1918, the WilmerHale Boston office has grown—throughout its more than 100-year history—from a five-lawyer office to a diverse practice of more than 300 lawyers who serve an ever-expanding national and international client base. Our clients range from established industry leaders to emerging companies that reflect the New England region’s strength as one of the premier technology and life science centers in the country.

Peter Homberg

Peter Homberg is a partner in the Dentons Frankfurt office. He specializes in IP, corporate law and M&A transactions in the life sciences and high-tech sector as well as in R&D and cooperation agreements, cross-border IP licensing and IP strategies. Peter advises inter alia companies in the pharmaceutical, diagnostics, biotechnology and medical device industry – from startups to large publicly listed companies. Furthermore, he has broad transactional experience in China and Southeast Asia. Peter is member of the Licensing Executive Society (LES), the German Association for Intellectual Property and Copyright (GRUR), the German Institution for Arbitration (DIS) as well as the Pharma-Lizenz-Club Deutschland e.V. He regularly holds lectures at seminars and conferences, and is also author of numerous professional articles and other publications regarding corporate or IP law in the field of life sciences.

Experience

  • Scil Technology GmbH: Advising regarding the out-licensing of certain intellectual property for the regenerative treatment of inter alia Osteoarthritis to Sanofi.
  • Scil Technology GmbH: Advising regarding the sale of its service and production division to Nanohale AG.
  • German biotechnology company: Advising regarding the sale of a certain IP-portfolio for the treatment of cardiac insufficiency.
  • German mid-size pharmaceutical company: Advising regarding the licensing and distribution of a certain API for the treatment of interstitial cystitis to a multinational US-based pharmaceutical company.
  • US-based pharmaceutical enterprise: Advising regarding the due diligence in connection with a certain technology portfolio for the manufacturing of vaccines prior to the in-licensing of the technology.
  • Swiss-based biotechnology company: Advising regarding cooperation with a French multinational pharmaceutical enterprise.
  • Priaxon AG: Advising regarding the out-licensing of a certain technology to Boehringer Ingelheim.
  • German-Singaporean biotech company: Advising regarding the in-licensing of a certain diagnostic technology from the National University of Singapore.
  • French venture capital fund: Advising regarding the acquisition of shares in a German-based biotechnology company.
  • German medium-size pharmaceutical company: Advising regarding the restructuring of its distribution channels in Portugal and in other European countries.
  • Various clients in the life sciences sector: Advising in all types of transactions, including technology transfer agreements, R&D agreements, M&A transactions, private equity transactions, arbitration proceedings and litigations.

Recognition

Peter Homberg is highlighted by Chambers Europe, 2014 as “a brilliant negotiator”, who “has huge experience with biotech companies and is really goal driven. He understands our needs very well.” JUVE Handbook German Commercial Law Firms, 2015/2016 mentions Peter Homberg as a highly recommended practitioner. The international directory Best Lawyers ranked him among the best lawyers for Health Care Law and Pharmaceuticals Law in Germany. Global Law Experts honor Peter Homberg as “Life Sciences Lawyer of the Year in Germany”.

Peter L’Ecluse

Peter is a partner in Van Bael & Bellis’ Brussels office where he co-heads the life sciences practice.

Peter’s practice focuses on the life sciences industry and covers a wide range of areas involving medical devices and pharmaceuticals. His expertise includes advising on antitrust matters, information and advertising, licensing, patents, pricing and reimbursement, and registration matters. He also has deep experience representing clients in administrative proceedings and before industry boards.

Peter has been recognised as a leading practitioner in his fields of practice by many legal directories. He is recommended by Chambers & Partners, The Legal 500, IAM Patent 1000 and European Legal Experts. In addition, he is a sought-after speaker who regularly lectures and writes on matters involving life sciences, intellectual property and competition law.

Peter completed his master’s degree in comparative law at The George Washington University in the USA. He also studied at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium and holds degrees in both law and philosophy. Peter practises in Dutch, English and French.

Van Bael & Bellis:

Van Bael & Bellis was named Belgium Firm of the Year at the LMG Life Sciences Awards in 2014 and is regularly ranked as one of the two leading law firms in Belgium specialising in the field of life sciences regulatory law. The firm is also highly recommended by leading directories for intellectual property matters in the life sciences sector.

Van Bael & Bellis is a leading independent law firm based in Brussels, with a second office in Geneva exclusively dedicated to WTO matters.

We are known for our client-centred approach, commitment to excellence and extensive expertise in EU competition law, EU and international trade law, EU regulatory law as well as Belgian business law. With nearly 70 lawyers coming from 20 different countries, we offer our clients the support of a highly effective team of professionals with multi-jurisdictional expertise and an international perspective.

 

Ana Cláudia Akie Utumi

Leaders in Law endorses Ana Cláudia Akie Utumi as our exclusively recommended Life Sciences Law expert in Brasil. If you wish to get in touch with Ana please use the contact information provided above.

Ana is consistently recognized as a leading tax specialist in national and international legal publications such as Chambers Global, Chambers Latin America, Latin Lawyer 250, Legal 500, PLC Which Lawyer?, Who”s Who Legal, Expert Guides, World Tax, Analise Advocacia 500, and others. She was chosen by Latin Lawyer Magazine as being among the “40 best Brazilian lawyers under 40,” among the “Best Latin American Tax Lawyers,” and among the most prominent Latin American women lawyers who have excelled in their chosen area of practice. Ana Claudia is LACCA Approved 2016: Best Lawyers to work with for Tax in Latin America. Americas Women in Business Law Awards 2015 – Award for Best lawyer in tax law in Latin America – promoted by Euromoney Legal Media Group.

Languages:
  • English
  • Spanish
  • French
Education:
  • Doctor of Laws degree in Economic Law from the Law School of Universidade de São Paulo (USP), 2006.
  • Master”s in Tax Law from the Law School of Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP), 2001.
  • MBA in Finance and Capital Markets from Instituto Brasileiro de Mercado de Capitais (IBMEC), 1996.
  • Graduate of the Law School of Universidade de São Paulo, 1994.
  • Graduate in Business Administration from Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), 1992.
Additional activities:
  • Member of the Permanent Scientific Committee (PSC) of the International Fiscal Association (IFA).
  • Member of the Practice Council of the New York University School of Law International Tax Program.
  • Professor in charge for legal subjects at Foundation Institute of Accounting and Financial Researches (FIPECAFI)´s Graduation Course in Accountancy.
  • Professor in the MBA courses maintained by FIPECAFI.
  • Visiting Professor at post-graduation courses in different Brazilian universities.
  • Director of the Brazilian Association of Financial Law (ABDF-IFA Brazil).
  • Member of the Brazilian Institute of Tax Law (IBDT).
  • Member of the Brazilian Association of Tax Law (ABRADT).
  • Member of the Tax Research Institute (IPT).
  • Member of the Brazilian Institute of Financial Professionals Certification (IBCPF).
Publications:
  • Co-author of Practical Law – Tax in Finance Transactions. London: Thomson Reuters, 2015
  • Co-author of the chapter “Private equity, venture capital and investment funds”, published at Brazilian Commercial Law: A Practical Guide 2nd edition. London: Kluwer Law International, 2015.
  • Co-author of the publication Estrutura Legal dos fundos de Private Equity e Venture Capital no Brasil (Legal Structure of Private Equity and Venture Capital funds in Brazil), from Associação Brasileira de Private Equity & Venture Capital (ABVCAP),February, ed. 2014.
  • Brazil – Brazilian Taxation on M&A Transactions chapter from the International Financial Law Review, 2012.
  • O Não-Residente na Legislação do Imposto de Renda (The non-resident in the Income Tax Act) chapter from the book Direito Tributário Internacional Aplicado – Volume V (International Tax Law Applied – Volume V), coordinated by Heleno Taveira Tôrres.  São Paulo: Quartier Latin do Brasil, 2008.
  • Brazil chapter from the publication International Employee Equity Plans – Participation Beyond Borders Handbook.  London: Kluwer Law International, 2003.
  • Contributed to the book Planejamento Tributário & A Norma Geral Antielisão (Tax Planning and the General Anti-avoidance Rule).  Curitiba: Juruá, 2003.
  • Contributed to the book Impuestos Sobre el Comercio Internacional (Taxation on International Trade), coordinated by Victor Uckmar.  Buenos Aires: Editorial Ábaco de Rodolfo Depalma, 2003.
  • Contributed to the book Direito Tributário Internacional Aplicado (International Tax Law Applied), coordinated by Heleno Taveira Tôrres.  São Paulo: Quartier Latin, 2003.
  • Contributed to the book Tributos e Preços de Transferência Vol. 2 (Tax and Transfer Pricing Volume 2), coordinated by Luís Eduardo Schoueri.  São Paulo: Dialética, 1999.
  • Contributed to the book Planejamento Tributário – Teoria e Prática Vol. 2 (Tax Planning – Theory and Practice), coordinated by Valdir de Oliveira Rocha.  São Paulo: Dialética, 1998.
  • Contributed to the book Tributos e Preços de Transferência (Tax and Transfer Pricing), coordinated by Valdir de Oliveira Rocha.  São Paulo: Dialética, 1999.

Neil Kirby

Neil Kirby is a director of Werksmans Attorneys and currently heads the firm’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice.

He has significant litigation and dispute resolution expertise in the specialities of healthcare, constitutional and environmental law. Neil regularly advises on the provisions of the Promotion of Access to Information Act and the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, as well as on healthcare legislation including the National Health Act, the Medicines and Related Substances Act, the Pharmacy Act and Health Professions Act. He also has a strong understanding of the Consumer Protection and National Environmental Management Acts.

Neil is a member of the World Association of Medical Law and the International Bar Association (IBA). He was Chair of the Healthcare & Life Sciences Law Committee of the IBA from 2008 to 2012, Co-Chair of that Commitee in 2013 and is currently Co-Vice Chair of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee of the IBA.

He is named as a leading lawyer in the categories of healthcare and regulatory by Best Lawyers International and in dispute resolution by Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

Neil has published numerous articles on healthcare, environmental, administrative and constitutional law matters.

Neil has LLB and LLM degrees and a Certificate in Environmental Law from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Life Sciences Law Practice:

Few matters cut deeper into the pockets of both individuals and businesses than healthcare costs. Medical scheme fraud, reported to be widespread, has added substantially to these costs, as has the onslaught of HIV/Aids. Legislative change has also been dramatic in the healthcare industry, resulting in a rash of disputes over dispensing fees, medicine pricing and the advertising of health products.

In this context, the firm is at the cutting edge of legal developments in the health, pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. For instance, the Werksmans Healthcare & Life Sciences team has helped to clamp down on fraudulent medical claims by representing medical schemes and administrators against erring healthcare service providers. We have also assisted employers in implementing workable, cost-effective HIV/Aids workplace programmes.

The diversified knowledge of the team is complemented by in-depth insight into South Africa’s evolving legislative and regulatory environment. This includes the black economic empowerment requirements of the Health Charter and the legal implications of the National Health Act, Consumer Protection Act and foodstuff laws as well as the proposed National Health Insurance Scheme. Other sought-after skills of the team include know how in product liability matters, consumer protection, licensing, distribution agreements and compliance with clinical trials regulations.

Expertise in these fields is sharpened by extensive international involvement, which includes representation at the World Association of Medical Law and the World Congress on Public Healthcare Law & Ethics. Team members are often speakers at local and global conferences, covering topics ranging from stem cell research and euthanasia to traditional African medicine.

The Healthcare & Life Sciences practice works closely with other practice areas within the firm in order to provide a holistic service to clients. Practice areas with which the Healthcare & Life Sciences practice works include but are not limited to the following: Environmental, Dispute Resolution, Mining & Resources and Competition.

Werksmans Attorneys:

Established in the early 1900s, Werksmans Attorneys is a leading South African corporate and commercial law firm serving multinationals, listed companies, financial institutions, entrepreneurs and government.

Operating in Gauteng and the Western Cape, and connected to an extensive African legal network through LEX Africa, the firm’s reputation is built on the combined experience of Werksmans and Jan S. de Villiers, which merged in 2009.

LEX Africa was established in 1993 as the first and largest African legal network and offers huge potential for Werksmans’ clients as it provides a gateway to Africa to companies seeking to do business on the continent. Each LEX Africa member firm specialises in corporate and commercial law and dispute resolution combined with intimate knowledge of the local customs, business practices, cultures and languages of each country.

With a formidable track record in mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, and commercial litigation and dispute resolution, Werksmans is distinguished by the people, clients and work that it attracts and retains.

Werksmans’ more than 180 lawyers are a powerful team of independent-minded individuals who share a common service ethos. The firm’s success is built on a solid foundation of insightful and innovative deal structuring and legal advice, a keen ability to understand business and economic imperatives and a strong focus on achieving the best legal outcome for clients.

Alexey Aronov

Leaders in Law endorses Alexey Aronov as our exclusively recommended Life Sciences Law expert in Russia. If you wish to get in touch with Alexey please use the contact information provided above.

Alexey Aronov’s area of focus is customs law and he deals with a wide range of customs issues including valuations, disputes, classifications, tariffs, IP protection and exemptions, including issues which arise when structuring a transaction.

He regularly acts for clients before customs authorities in relation to proving initially declared customs values which have been rejected by the customs authorities. He has advised a number of manufacturers on the import of production equipment, obtaining customs classification under a single tariff code, achieving zero customs duty and VAT relief.

Alexey also advises clients on the development of supply chains, including spare parts delivery related to production equipment.

He has also successfully represented numerous clients in administrative disputes and appeals to customs authorities in relation to a wide range of customs matters.

Firm Overview:

As the legal matters confronting our life science clients are varied, so are the skill sets we employ. DLA Piper’s life sciences team comprises lawyers with legal, scientific and medical knowledge who understand the complexity of the business and regulatory environments in which our clients operate.

The challenges facing today’s biotechnology and medical device companies are greater than ever. For companies to take promising therapies from the laboratory to the market, they must protect those therapies from IP, regulatory and reputational risks. Furthermore, the last few years have seen increasing pressure from many sides: demand for greater shareholder return, loss of key revenue streams due to patent expiration or generic challenges, fierce competition in key therapeutic areas, pricing pressures from health care payors, increased government regulation beyond core safety issues, rising costs of R&D, challenges in maximizing return in emerging markets and aggressive government enforcement action.

Our life sciences sector team is one of the largest and most active of any law firm. Operating as one team across more than 30 jurisdictions, we combine subject matter experience with considerable knowledge of the sector, including the scientific, medical, regulatory, commercial and enforcement environments facing our biopharmaceutical, medical device, research and diagnostics clients.