Our Practice:
The Life Sciences department at HFN, recognised as the leader in the Israeli market, combines its expertise in the field with HFN’s vast resources to provide its clients with an integrated solution to all commercial aspects of the life sciences business. The department works closely with the Corporate and Intellectual Property departments to advise clients as needed in all stages of business development, from start-up through public offerings of shares.
Our Work:
Substantial resources are required to finance innovative projects in the life sciences field, frequently requiring young companies to enter strategic agreements with large multinational players. HFN’s Life Sciences department possesses a unique understanding of all aspects of the business and is the go-to firm for representing businesses in complex collaboration agreements with large global companies.
The department has significant experience working with all relevant parties including: biotech companies, pharmaceutical companies, medical devices and equipment companies, food supplement manufacturers, healthcare providers, medical and research institutions as well as consultants and investors within the industry. The department represents both small start-up companies from their inception to exit in either an IPO or M&A transaction, as well as large international pharmaceutical or medical device/equipment companies, advising on all aspects of their commercial, regulatory and transactional activities. HFN's adept corporate skills are coupled with a deep understanding of all the commercial and regulatory aspects of such companies' businesses.
The Life Sciences department is involved in addressing an extensive variety of agreements such as: founders’ agreements, consultancy, non-disclosure, license, collaboration, development, joint venture, manufacturing, distribution and M&A, as well as agreements pertaining to obtaining regulatory approvals for manufacturing, marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical and medical devices (e.g., agreements with clinical research organizations, investigators and hospitals) and with various service providers. The department has a unique specialty in representing biotech companies in connection with their collaboration agreements with large pharmaceutical companies.
IP and technology licensing play a key role in HFN’s Life Sciences department. The department is involved in all areas of intellectual property licensing, with expertise in drafting and negotiating agreements for the research and development, licensing, manufacturing, distribution, sale, branding, marketing, consulting and other forms of commercial exploitation of IP, as well as generating revenue and establishing strategic partnerships. HFN has a unique capability in Israel in advising on Share Purchase Agreements and joint developments/joint ventures with specific IP provisions.
Additionally, the department provides on-going legal services for all major commercial issues specific to the field of pharmaceuticals. This includes handling the legal aspects of the relationship between international pharmaceutical companies and local representatives, in addition to managing the legal issues arising between commercial pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers. HFN also acts for clients in patent related litigation and disputes relating to the importation of drugs.
HFN possesses a good working relationship with the Ministry of Health in Israel, including its legal advisor, and various other governmental authorities. The Life Sciences department regularly represents clients in front of such regulatory bodies.
Our Team:
The Life Sciences department is led by Alon Sahar and Maya Racine-Netser. Alon possesses broad knowledge of commercial issues and transactions and specialises in the particular legal requirements of co-operative societies and the Israeli pharmaceutical, food and health products sectors. Maya is in charge of technology licensing and maintains an intellectual property and corporate transactional practice with a focus on technology, life sciences, telecommunications and media companies.