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Life Sciences

Partnering with life sciences companies to navigate innovation, regulation and growth

With one of the largest dedicated life sciences legal teams in Australia, McCullough Robertson provides strategic, commercial and regulatory advice tailored to the unique challenges of this fast-evolving and innovation-driven sector. Our team includes specialist lawyers with science qualifications, giving us deep industry understanding and the ability to deliver practical, commercially focused solutions. We partner with life sciences companies across the full product lifecycle, from early-stage research and development, to clinical trials, regulatory approvals, commercialisation and market entry.

Comprehensive legal support across the entire life sciences ecosystem

We work with biotech and life sciences companies, emerging start-ups, scale-ups, universities and research institutes to provide seamless, multidisciplinary legal support across all areas of their operations, including:

Commercialisation and growth

Structuring collaborations, strategic partnerships, licensing arrangements, technology transfer and commercial agreements to maximise innovation, market success and revenue growth.

Clinical and regulatory compliance

Advising on Australian (TGA and APVMA) regulatory frameworks, clinical trial requirements, and product classification including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, agtech, nutraceuticals and other regulated products.

Intellectual property

Strategising, safeguarding and defending high-value innovations through patents, trade marks and copyright protection.

Data privacy and security

Advising on data privacy frameworks and security considerations regarding personal and sensitive information as well as the storage, use and sharing of that information.

Corporate and investment

Supporting founders and stakeholders with establishment and structuring advice, capital raising (venture capital, private equity, IPOs and public grants), mergers and acquisitions (M&A), corporate governance and equity incentives to secure funding and drive expansion.

Employment and workplace strategy

Advising on workforce optimisation, employment contracts and compliance with workplace regulations in a complex, highly regulated industry.

Our life science specialists support companies across the entire life sciences ecosystem. With deep regulatory knowledge, transactional experience, and commercialisation expertise, we simplify complexity and deliver practical solutions.

Embedded in the life sciences industry and aligned with your goals

As a foundation member of Life Sciences Queensland and an active participant in leading industry associations, including AusBiotech, we stay at the forefront of emerging trends, regulatory developments, and sector innovation. Our strong international connections allow us to support clients with cross-border clinical trials, expert research collaborations and global expansion strategies.

A trusted legal partner delivering results for innovators, entrepreneurs and investors

Whether guiding an early-stage biotech start-up through regulatory approvals, advising on complex licensing deals or partnering transactions, or supporting cross-border M&A and investment, our team delivers outcomes that mitigate risk, ensure compliance and unlock commercial opportunities. Partner with us to navigate the complex legal, regulatory and commercial landscape of the life sciences sector with confidence.

Key areas of expertise

Drug development
Diagnostics
Medical devices
E-health
Agtech & supplements
Animal health
Wearable devices
Regulated products

To find out more about our life sciences capability, contact Reece Walker or Naomi Omundson.

Contact us

Our legal expertise

Viralytics Limited

Advising on the $502 million acquisition of Viralytics Limited by Merck by scheme of arrangement. Managing Viralytics’ intellectual property portfolio.

Pharmaceutical Product Recall

Advising multinational pharmaceutical company on licensing, resale, distribution and logistics arrangements for the re-supply of a key pharmaceutical product. Advising on the withdrawal of pharmaceutical products from the Australian market, including with respect to Competition and Consumer Act and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme considerations.

Chimeric Therapeutics

Advising Chimeric Therapeutics (ASX:CHM) in raising in excess of $100 millions, including $35 million IPO, $4.3 million pre-IPO funding round, $20.3 million via an ANREO, share purchase plan and strategic placement, $30 million facility with L1 Capital, and a $18.1 million institutional and retail entitlement offer.

Imugene Limited

Advising Imugene Limited (ASX: IMU) in raising in excess of $270 million, including $46 million via convertible notes and up to a further $26 million in warrants, $53.2 million via a placement and share purchase plan, $80 million institutional placement with $66 million in attached options, and a $90 million placement.

Regulatory and clinical issues

Supporting a range of clients with key legal, regulatory and insurance requirements in establishing Australian clinical trials for products including an oncology drug for advanced melanoma and an investigational product for migraine prevention.

Radiopharm Theranostics

Advising Radiopharm Theranostics (ASX: RAD) in raising in excess of $150 million, including its $70 million placement, in parallel with supporting its NASDAQ listing, its $12.5 million capital raise with US institutional investor, Lind Partners, and its acquisition of Pharma15 Corporation.

Therapeutic Goods Act compliance

Regularly engaged by both domestic and international life sciences clients (through international referring law firms) on a number of complex TGA compliance, regulatory and food standards matters in Australia, including advertising requirements for therapeutic goods.

Provet and Covetrus

Advising on Provet’s $13 million takeover of Westralian Holdings Limited, and its acquisitions of Vision Software (NZ), Monsoon Veterinary Supplies and Digivet.com, and its $93.2 million acquisition under scheme of arrangement by Fortune 500 company, Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein

Advising Fortune 500 company, Henry Schein, Inc. on its strategic acquisition of Hayes Handpiece Australia, Adam Dental Supplies, Pacific Dental Specialties, Regional Health Care Group and Medical Dental Solutions (MDS).

University research and commercialisation

Advising leading Australian universities on research and development contracts, the commercialisation of IP in health and medical technologies, and data protection and privacy matters.

Start-up support

Supporting a range of medtech and biotech start-ups with advice on IP considerations in preparation for investment, including preparing template IP assignment and consultancy agreements, and preparing a range of commercial agreements for IP development, manufacturing and supply.

News and insights

Your life sciences team

Reece Walker

Partner

Naomi Omundson

Partner

Alex Hutchens

Partner

Natalie Kurdian

Partner

Melissa Miller

Partner

Tom Reaburn

Partner

Amber Sharp

Partner
Peter Stokes Partner photo

Peter Stokes

Partner

Ben Wood

Partner

Reece Walker

Partner

Naomi Omundson

Partner

Alex Hutchens

Partner

Natalie Kurdian

Partner

Melissa Miller

Partner

Tom Reaburn

Partner

Amber Sharp

Partner
Peter Stokes Partner photo

Peter Stokes

Partner

Ben Wood

Partner

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