Kestener e Vieira Advogados continues to be a leading force in the life sciences space, standing out for its capabilities in complex dispute resolution. Proceedings before the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) and cases before administrative and judicial courts are key areas of strength for the group, which is well positioned to advise pharmaceutical, food and beverages, cosmetics and healthcare players in the gamut of life sciences mandates. The firm is seen with great regularity assisting clients with pricing and reimbursement negotiations with the government, public tenders, and product liability issues; the team also fields strong credentials in mandates concerning the manufacturing and licensing of health and food-related products. Founding partner and renowned life sciences expert Beatriz Kestener is the trusted adviser to a number of healthcare clients. Fellow founder Fabio Alonso Vieira focuses on corporate transactions and commercial issues, while Flávio Spegiorin Ramos advises pharmaceutical, food, agriculture, cosmetics and medical devices companies on complex business law matters. Associate Guilherme Gieron Fonseca e Silva specialises in regulatory work related to healthcare and food.

A pioneer in the life sciences space in Brazil, Pinheiro Neto Advogados remains at the forefront of the market for its distinguished expertise in the sector and multidisciplinary approach. Covering the full spectrum of life sciences work, the group is instructed by a varied client roster comprised of leading companies in the pharmaceutical, medical devices, food, agribusiness and healthcare sectors. In addition to its solid transactional capabilities, the group also provides assistance in administrative litigation before ANVISA, clinical trials, licensing agreements and regulatory matters. The well-regarded Angela Kung is a specialist in transactional and regulatory work, acting for both established and emerging life sciences companies, namely pharmaceutical, medical devices, biotech, animal health and healthcare clients. Camila Martino Parise, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, advises domestic and international corporations on the regulation of medicines, as well as medical, food, agricultural and veterinary products. Senior associate Nicole Aun is heavily involved in healthtech matters, and possesses special expertise in technology transfer projects of strategic pharmaceuticals within the context of public and private partnerships. Associates Lucas Alexandre Hoeppers and Laura Oliveira Barboza assist with regulatory issues.

With a strong focus on regulatory matters and proceedings before ANVISA, Lefosse Advogados fields a growing life sciences practice that combines the firm’s previous healthcare expertise with the knowledge of head Rubens Granja, a renowned figure in the market who joined from Kestener e Vieira Advogados at the end of 2021 to kick-start the industry-focused team. The firm assists clients in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, medical devices, goods, biodiversity, and cosmetics segments, which often seek advice on transactions, civil law, clinical trials and public procurement. Counsel Natássia Misae Ueno specialises in administrative and regulatory law, offering advice to clients on negotiations with the federal government and compulsory bidding processes. Also noted, senior associate Júlia de Castro Kesselring focuses on regulatory matters in this space.

Noted for its 'prompt service, technical capacity and negotiation skills', Mattos Filho handles regulatory, contractual and litigation matters for a diverse group of life sciences and healthcare players. Pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthtech, food and beverages, and medical device companies regularly turn to the team for advice on the gamut of industry-related matters, including corporate transactions, clinical trials, product development and pricing. Practice head Ana Cândida Sammarco is singled out for her experience in life sciences regulatory issues; she regularly advises on the structuring of healthcare plan agreements, implementation of new technologies, and drafting and negotiating supply and distribution agreements. Fellow co-leader Gustavo Swenson Caetano utilises his IP and food law expertise to handle contractual, commercial and transactional work in the life sciences sector.

Entirely devoted to the healthcare, technology, food and life sciences sectors, boutique firm SPLaw works with both multinational and Brazilian companies in the full range of life sciences matters, from disputes to clinical trials, transactions, regulatory issues and IP. The ‘efficient, fast and objective‘ Benny Spiewak is recommended by clients for his 'vast knowledge of the life sciences market' and 'high technical expertise'. Co-head Pedro Carneiro focuses on industry-related environmental matters, while associate Daniela Jambor, who specialises in the regulation of genetically modified organisms, is a name to note for mandates concerning the cannabis industry.

A strong performer in strategic litigation, Fialdini Einsfeld Advogados is a go-to choice in Brazil for major international research companies engaged in civil, administrative and commercial proceedings before the lower and superior courts. Clients, including pharmaceutical companies, regularly seek the team's advice on clinical trials, distribution contracts, patent infringements and price regulations. The department is jointly led by Alexandre Einsfeld and Pedro Sergio Fialdini Filho, both of whom are key contacts for players from the pharmaceutical, consumer goods and animal health segments, and stand out for their regulatory expertise. Senior associate Ivan Fernandes De Cunha and associate Thiago Adorno Albigiante both take on complex litigation cases involving public contracts, consumer law and IP.

Combining expertise in IP, regulations and healthcare, Licks Attorneys brings together a group of specialised lawyers, pharmacists, chemists and scientists, which is well placed to assist domestic and international clients in a variety of life sciences matters. The department boasts an impressive track record in contentious matters, and is led by four practitioners: founding partner Otto Licks, who is particularly active in strategic litigation and policymaking matters involving small molecules, biologics, agrichemicals and medical devices; fellow founder Eduardo Hallak, a name to note for complex disputes and patents; Liliane Roriz, who utilises her former experience as an appellate judge to assist with IP-related cases; and Roberto Rodrigues, another expert in patent litigation.

‘Always willing to help and meet the interests of its clients’, Souto Correa Advogados established its life sciences practice in February 2022 and has continued to show its dedication to this field by recently expanding the team to 8 professionals, all focused on life sciences and healthcare. The group 'provides technical and strategic advice from a local regulatory perspective' to a diverse client base, with a particular focus on the pharmaceutical and food segments. Department head Anderson Ribeiro maintains a broad practice focused on regulations, government contracts, compliance, clinical trials, transactions and litigation. Key names below partner-level include: Matheus Montecasciano, who has considerable experience in administrative proceedings before ANVISA and other regulatory health authorities; Paulo Rosito, who often acts for pharmaceutical companies in non-contentious matters and litigation; and Lucas Calabria, who possesses in-depth knowledge of sanitary regulation, food and drug law.

Rated for its ‘extensive experience‘ and ‘established presence‘ in the life sciences space, full-service firm TozziniFreire Advogados offers multidisciplinary advice to companies across multiple segments, though its primary focus lies on pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food and healthcare. The group, which has recently acquired new clients in the emerging field of pet health and food, is adept at handling a combination of regulatory, transactional, litigation, IP and tech-related matters, and is also skilled in advising on the import and export of health products. Department head Marco Aurélio Torronteguy, ‘an extremely prepared, well-educated, pragmatic, skilled and collaborative professional’, has a wealth of experience in administrative proceedings before ANVISA; clinical trials and regulatory issues involving medical devices are also among his key areas of expertise. Associate Victor Hugo Callejon Avallone offers key support in the context of administrative proceedings, M&A concerning the health sector and clinical trials.

Trench Rossi Watanabe is home to a team of dedicated life science practitioners, who work closely with pharmacists, engineers and other legal specialists in tax, public law and IP to advise clients on a variety of industry-related matters, from regulatory issues to counterfeiting and corporate transactions. Henrique Frizzo, who is singled out for his in-depth knowledge of healthcare regulations, is especially active in mandates involving ANVISA and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA). He oversees the department alongside Marcela Trigo, who takes the lead on patent litigation and non-contentious matters (including transactions) involving life sciences. Recently promoted partner Felipe Zaltman acts for pharmaceutical companies in strategic disputes, while associate Carla Moraes specialises in sanitary and regulatory law.

The 'highly qualified and experienced team' at Demarest Advogados acts for domestic and international companies from the pharmaceutical, consumer goods, animal health, medicine, healthcare and biochemical industries. With a multidisciplinary approach, the practice is well positioned to handle the full array of life sciences mandates, including interactions with ANVISA. Showcasing notable strength in biotech work, Claudio Mattos is particularly skilled in regulatory matters involving bio-controlled substances and genetically modified organisms. Bruno Aurélio, a key contact for tobacco and healthcare companies, and senior associate Monique Guzzo, a name to note for the pharmaceutical, food and supplementary health segments, stand out for their regulatory and public law capabilities. Ana Paula Pinheiro Schedel is experienced in pharmaceutical and biotechnology contracts, while Camila Biral often handles high-profile disputes in this space.

Demonstrating 'great knowledge of the Brazilian regulatory landscape', the life sciences practice at Felsberg Advogados provides domestic and international clients with 'efficient and business-oriented legal advice', with a particular focus on contractual and regulatory matters involving ANS, ANVISA and MAPA. Other areas of activity include assisting clients in public bids and in the licensing and registration of products and medication. Chairing the practice, Marianne Albers is skilled at representing clients in proceedings before regulatory agencies. Key support is offered by associate Thais Fernandes, who frequently acts in administrative and judicial cases involving the life sciences and healthcare sectors.

Domestic and international clients, including companies from the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, tobacco, cannabis, food and beverage sectors, regularly turn to Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados' life sciences team for advice on issues related to Brazil’s complex regulatory framework, clinical trials, licensing of products and technology transfer agreements. The group is under the joint leadership of Ana Karina Esteves de Souza and Laura Garcia De Freitas Souza, both of whom specialise in infrastructure and regulatory matters. Gláucia Mara Coelho acts in litigation, while associate Nicole Borges de Carvalho Ura specialises in regulatory issues. The firm was strengthened by the arrival of life sciences, digital health and healthcare partner Renata Rothbarth in June 2023 from Mattos Filho.

Noted for its 'thorough knowledge of the industry', the life sciences and healthcare practice at Veirano Advogados is a popular choice for Brazilian clients seeking assistance in administrative proceedings and matters related to ANVISA. Corporate, transactional and regulatory matters, including clinical trials and commercial arrangements, are other areas of expertise for the group. The 'brilliant and outstanding' Renata Fialho de Oliveira 'is an expert in the life sciences and healthcare sector', and a key contact for pharmaceutical and medical devices companies. She oversees the team with Lior Pinsky.

A popular choice for pharmaceutical companies, the life sciences team at XVV Advogados is seen with great regularity handling regulatory and administrative matters before ANVISA and the National Regulatory Agency for Private Health Insurance and Plans (ANS). The practice, which is also sought out by clients from the petcare, food and healthtech industries, is jointly led by Beto Vasconcelos, who specialises in public health and regulatory issues, Felipe de Paula, a key contact for policymaking matters in the technology and life sciences spaces, and Ivo Corrêa, who draws on his public law background to advise on complex regulatory mandates.

Singled out for its considerable experience in food law matters, Zeigler Advogados is sought out by a number of food industry companies and supermarket chains. Knowledgeable of federal, state and local laws, the group advises these companies in regulatory, consumer and compliance matters. The firm’s client roster also features pharmaceutical labs and bioscience clients, which retain it in proceedings involving health surveillance authorities. Silvia Zeigler, who advises on commercial issues, chairs the practice alongside Gerardo Figueiredo, a name to note for international food law, and Bruno Rocha Nagli, who focuses on healthcare matters