Sector · Life Sciences

Life Sciences & Biotech.

Commercial legal support for life sciences, biotech and research-driven businesses across the Oxford and Cambridge corridor.

How we help

Commercial legal support for life sciences businesses.

We work with life sciences and biotech businesses on the commercial documents that sit alongside the science — collaboration agreements, supply contracts, services agreements with CROs and CDMOs, IP-touching consultancy terms, and the disputes that occasionally arise. We work alongside specialist regulatory and IP counsel where the matter calls for it.

Commercial agreements alongside the science

Research-driven businesses enter relationships in which technical milestones, access to materials and intellectual property boundaries all affect commercial value. We help translate the operating arrangement into clear responsibilities, payment triggers, governance and exit provisions. The work can include services agreements with research organisations, development partners or specialist manufacturers. Patent prosecution and specialist regulatory questions remain with the appropriate advisers, while we make sure the surrounding commercial contract is coherent and usable.

Managing dependencies in research and supply chains

A delayed study, unavailable material or failed batch can have consequences beyond the immediate contract. Agreements therefore need a realistic account of dependencies, change control, quality responsibilities, records and escalation. We help businesses test whether proposed remedies and liability positions reflect the actual project and bargaining strength. Where several suppliers or collaborators contribute to one programme, we also look for gaps between contracts that could leave responsibility unclear when delivery does not go to plan.

Working with specialist advisers

Life sciences matters often cross legal disciplines. A collaboration may require patent advice, a promotional question may call for specialist regulatory input, and an international arrangement may need local counsel. We identify those boundaries early and can work alongside the client's existing advisers. Radcliffe Enterprise Law's focus is the commercial relationship: scope, governance, confidentiality, payment, risk allocation, termination and the practical resolution of disagreements between organisations.

Typical legal needs

What life sciences businesses typically need from us.

  • Collaboration and research agreements (alongside specialist IP counsel)
  • CRO, CDMO and clinical services contracts
  • Supply, distribution and material transfer agreements
  • Consultancy agreements with IP and confidentiality teeth
  • Commercial disputes on supply, services and IP-adjacent matters
  • Pragmatic regulatory advice including ABPI Code-related questions
Locations

Life Sciences solicitors by location.

Talk to a solicitor who works with life sciences businesses.

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