An opportunity has arisen for an Associate to join a highly regarded intellectual property practice with an established international client base across the life sciences and technology sectors. The firm is recognised for the quality of its legal expertise and its ability to advise on complex, commercially significant matters involving some of the most innovative businesses in the market. Offering a genuinely collaborative working environment, the firm places considerable emphasis on professional development, technical excellence and providing its lawyers with the opportunity to build long-term careers. With a strong reputation in the market and a diverse range of high-quality work, this is an excellent opportunity to join an established and growing team.

You will join the Commercial & IP Transactions team, primarily supporting its established life sciences practice. Working with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and wider healthcare clients, the role will involve advising on a broad range of commercial and intellectual property transactions relating to the development and commercialisation of innovative products and technologies. The position will offer exposure to strategically important domestic and international matters, alongside opportunities to work across other sectors within the wider commercial and IP practice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advise pharmaceutical, biotechnology and wider life sciences clients on a range of commercial and intellectual property transactions.
• Draft and negotiate research and development, collaboration, licensing and partnering agreements.
• Advise on the commercialisation of intellectual property, including patented technologies, know-how and other valuable assets.
• Support clients with manufacturing, supply and distribution arrangements.
• Advise on patent settlement agreements and other commercial arrangements relating to intellectual property disputes.
• Assist with the intellectual property and commercial aspects of corporate and joint venture transactions.
• Manage complex transactional matters, identifying key legal and commercial considerations and providing practical advice to clients.
• Work closely with clients and other stakeholders, including legal, scientific and commercial teams.
• Contribute to cross-border transactions and collaborate with colleagues across the wider practice.

Skills and Experience:

• Approximately 2–4 years' post-qualification experience.
• Experience within intellectual property, commercial and transactional matters, ideally within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or wider life sciences sector.
• Experience drafting and negotiating life sciences research and development, collaboration or licensing agreements.
• Strong understanding of intellectual property rights, particularly patents and know-how, and their role in the commercialisation of life sciences products and technologies.
• Broader commercial contracts experience alongside specialist IP transactional expertise.
• Excellent drafting, analytical and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail.
• A commercially minded approach, with the ability to identify key issues and provide practical, solutions-focused advice.
• Confidence engaging with scientific and technical subject matter and communicating complex issues clearly.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to take ownership of matters while working collaboratively as part of a team.

Desirable Experience:

• A scientific or technical academic background, or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience advising on international or cross-border transactions.
• Exposure to the commercial IP aspects of corporate or joint venture transactions.
• Experience advising on patent settlement agreements or agreements relating to patent disputes.
• Previous in-house experience or a client secondment within a life sciences business.
• An interest in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and wider life sciences industries.
• Qualification to advise on agreements governed by US law would be advantageous but is not essential.

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