Services

Life Sciences

Bonaccord Bio is the part of the business focused on the needs of the life science industry, an industry in which founder, Patricia Barclay, held responsible positions for 18 years and so this sector is very much at the heart of the firm.

The life science industry differs from most others in the extent of its regulation, its internationalism, the complexity of its product development and the high risk profile of most investments in the sector. We truly understand the sector from traditional small molecule pharmaceuticals to medical devices, animal health products, vaccines, biotechnology and the many technical services needed by the industry.

Our services are tailored to specific client need. Large established companies may be looking for work on a specific project or an extra pair of hands to support a hard pressed in house function during a busy period while a start up may be looking for, in effect, a general counsel without the overhead who can help them with major initiatives such as licensing or restructuring but also with more basic matters such as developing administrative templates and processes, day to day contracts and advice, risk management and training.

Young companies in particular look to us for more general support. We can supplement our own expertise with introductions to a wide range of professionals around the world covering all aspects of development from project design through to market access. Many of our collaborators have also held senior positions in substantial companies in the sector. As an independent company we do not enter into exclusive arrangements so clients can be confident that when we make a recommendation it is based on our assessment of a good fit for that client's particular needs. An important element of our extended service is our membership of Greyfriars an alliance of trusted collaborators who can work seamlessly together to offer ambitious companies a "one stop shop" to take their ideas through to market and help established companies move into new markets and of the East Coast Pharma Network, a group of consultants that offer specialist support primarily in aspects of pharmaceutical development.

We also support the work of other law firms. Some may have only a few life science clients and so may not wish to staff a specialist department but we may be able to help. Other firms may have an established reputation in life science and so attract requests for help that they are unable to meet in a cost effective manner or may simply want a commercial view on an issue. We would be pleased to collaborate in any of these situations.

Investors too can benefit from our services. We can help with due diligence, provide interim management or board membership and support and work with the investors and management team to facilitate strategic change.

We are also keen to help companies from overseas expand into Europe whether they are looking to set up clinical trials, a distribution chain or even establish overseas subsidiaries. We can assist with an expansion across the whole of Europe but for some companies we do believe that Scotland has much to offer and would be very happy to discuss the opportunities on offer here too. For those who might be tempted we invite you to follow our blog Scottishliving which carries occasional articles on the life sciences in Scotland as well as life in general here.