HealthTech and Life Sciences
The legal framework of life sciences, health research and medical activities is constantly evolving, facing regulatory, technological, and commercial challenges. In the face of these issues, it is essential to have a strategic and multidisciplinary legal partner, familiar with the sector’s challenges, and capable of supporting each stakeholder in all their projects and defending them in case of disputes.
Our expertise in the healthcare and life sciences sector is based on a multidisciplinary team that stands out for its ability to support all sector stakeholders at every stage of their development: entrepreneurs, growth companies, pharmaceutical laboratories, public or private research centres, financial investors, and banks, in both transactional matters and litigation.
Our support covers all areas of the industry, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technology, digital health, diagnostics, healthcare services, and veterinary care.
Our HealthTech & Life Sciences team, consisting of over 40 highly experienced lawyers, provides comprehensive legal assistance, covering everything from regulatory matters to dispute resolution, mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions and contracts, intellectual property and technology, data protection, and capital markets.
This cross-disciplinary approach and our ability to operate internationally are further strengthened by our extensive network of top-tier partner law firms, enabling us to provide informed advice tailored to local realities, addressing complex cross-border issues effectively.
Moreover, our HealthTech & Life Sciences team maintains close relationships with the relevant French authorities, such as the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products, the Competition Authority, the Financial Markets Authority, and the National Commission on Informatics and Liberty. This provides us with a deep understanding of the regulatory framework in which our clients’ activities are integrated.
Drawing on this experience, we have a deep understanding of the current challenges faced by players in the sector, from biotech/medtech startups to large pharmaceutical multinationals, enabling us to provide our clients with strategic and insightful support.
Areas of intervention
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We handle fundraising operations from seed stage to growth capital, as well as public offerings on financial markets (Euronext Paris and Nasdaq), including both debt and equity.
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We manage acquisitions, sales, joint ventures and restructuring operations in France and internationally.
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We draft and negotiate contracts with significant technological interests: patent and know-how licences, research and development agreements (collaborations, consortia, CROs, etc.), NDAs, contracts with consultants, and more.
We carry out audits and provide strategic advice on fundraising and acquisitions, in collaboration with our alliance partner Regimbeau, for all technical aspects (portfolio analysis, FTO, etc.).
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We deal with issues relating to software and applications, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and compliance with ANS (National Health Agency) standards.
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We ensure compliance with the GDPR and the French Data Protection Act (requests for authorisation, adherence to CNIL reference methodologies, preparation of DPIAs and privacy notices); qualification and management of the roles of parties in the context of complex contracts; issues related to health data hosting (HDS), and cross-border transfers outside the EU.
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We manage disputes related to intellectual property and know-how issues: infringement, nullity, claims of rights, contractual disputes, etc., before French courts and the Unified Patent Court (UPC).
We undertake actions in the field of competition law before the European Commission, the French Competition Authority, and civil or commercial courts.
We handle disputes related to product liability, public health safety, risk prevention, and compensation for damages. -
We advise on the regulatory implications of the authorisation, distribution, promotion, pharmacovigilance, transparency and compliance of healthcare products.
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We handle ethical issues relating to biomedical research, clinical trials and bioethics, data protection and social and environmental responsibility.
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We assist with merger control, anti-competitive practices, State aid and distribution law.
Awards
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Chambers Global/France 2025
Intellectual Property
Band 1
Gide is able to manage the most complex issues, thanks to their in-depth knowledge of the sectors in which their clients operate and their extensive legal expertise. They are extremely reliable.
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Juve Patent - France 2024
4 stars
The renowned patent practice of Gide enjoys an exceptional reputation for litigating pharma cases. Long-standing clients including Sanofi, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical frequently entrust the team with disputes concerning high-volume blockbusters.
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Legal 500 EMEA - France 2024
Intellectual Property: Patents
Tier 1
‘‘High quality team. Excellent advocates. Thorough in their review of cases and creative in their development of arguments.
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Legal 500 EMEA - France 2024
Industry Focus: Healthcare & Life Sciences
Tier 2
Gide is known for its ‘very good’ knowledge of a broad spectrum of issues, advising a varied client roster of dedicated funds, pharma, and medtech and biotech companies. The group exhibits expertise in a whole host of areas, including distribution and marketing, and dealings with the FCA.