Cavelier houses a comprehensive life sciences offering, which encompasses patent, regulatory, and compliance matters. Significantly, the core legal team is supported by a strong band of non-lawyer professionals with specialist expertise across various life sciences fields, including chemistry, chemical engineering and biotechnology. Key contact Andrés Rincón is highly regarded for his focus on patents, plant breeding rights and regulatory affairs. The group also draws on the experience of Jorge Chávarro, who heads the international department, and senior associate Carolina Vargas, who holds an MA in both chemistry and IP law. In July 2022, former regulatory affairs and healthcare compliance head Adriana Durán left to establish her own firm in mid-2022.

‘A study of excellence in both life sciences and intellectual property’, Lloreda Camacho & Co. scores highly with sources for its ‘fast lawyers who are knowledgeable about the life sciences environment and industry’. The firm acts for many of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, including Gilead, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi, for which it provides interdisciplinary advice on patents, regulatory matters, competition and data privacy, among other issues. Go-to sector specialist Ana María Castro possesses ‘deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology area’ and co-heads the practice together with regulatory-focused partners Enrique Álvarez (who also heads the competition, labour, and data protection teams) and Daniel Cardona.

OlarteMoure’s premier intellectual property offering supplies the firm with a steady stream of complex life sciences-related engagements. Most notably the group provides ongoing advice to global pharmaceutical corporations such as Pfizer, Novartis and Merck & Co on patent portfolio management throughout Latin America. The team’s signature patent offering is supplemented by strong regulatory and technical expertise, where it can lean on a multidisciplinary team of professionals experienced in chemistry, biology and pharmaceutical chemistry, among other specialisms. High-profile patent specialist Carlos Olarte has a strong record in the pharma and life sciences fields. Other key contacts include patent partner Alexander Agudelo, who holds an MA in pharmaceutical sciences.

Baker McKenzie S.A.S.’ global platform is reflected in its life sciences client roster, which includes multinational names in the medicines, medical devices, diagnosis tests and dietary supplements sectors, among others. The group is particularly active in transactional support matters, while it also handles IP, and regulatory and sanitary issues. IP specialist Juan Pablo Concha Delgado fronts the team and is experienced in commercialisation and advertising regulation, as well as sanctioning processes before relevant regulatory bodies. Intermediate associate Andrés Hidalgo demonstrates ‘extensive experience in regulatory matters’. IP-focused associates Maria Ximena Guavita and Sara Merizalde are also noted.

Gómez-Pinzón Abogados (GPA)’s regulatory affairs practice stands out for its ‘relationships with regulatory entities’, which sources say, ‘speeds up the necessary processes’. The group routinely represents domestic and multinational life-sciences' clients on a wide range of industry-specific matters, including regulatory filings, health legislation, drug pricing strategy, and patent applications, among other issues. Experienced senior associate Andrea Pieschacón specialises in healthcare and IP law and co-heads the department alongside Mauricio Jaramillo, who advises on a mix of IP, competition, and data protection.

The life sciences team at Posse Herrera Ruiz acts for clients across a broad range of industries, with strong recent showings in the medical devices and food and beverage spheres. It also records growing activity in work related to the emerging cannabis sector. The group is co-led by IP specialist Helena Camargo, whose practice focuses on patents, trade marks, copyrights and health registrations and permits. Fellow co-head and senior associate Mónica Bonnett handles a range of IP and health registration issues, with notable expertise in the developing cannabis field. Since research concluded, Bonnett has left the firm - effective as of September 2023.

Aristizabal Abogados Consultores’ focus on the life sciences, regulatory and patent fields is reflected in its impressive client roster, which is dominated by major multinational food and beverage companies, including Mars, Unilever Andina Colombia and Campbell Soup Company. The boutique firm, which also acts for companies in the pharmaceutical, healthcare and technology sectors, advises on the full range of IP, compliance, and regulatory matters. Founding partner Ricardo Aristizabal is the key contact and brings to bear broad experience in IP, regulatory issues and life sciences registrations. Associate Julieth Gutierrez specialises in regulatory and health law.

IP specialist Brigard Castro fields a robust life sciences practice that acts for a mix of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and food and beverage companies, among others. The team is equipped to advise on the full life cycle of matters, from R&D-related issues, through to regulatory compliance, IP and administrative litigation; while it also stands out for its ability to team up with its sister firm, Brigard Urrutia, on transactional support work. Managing partner Juan Pablo Cadena co-heads the practice alongside trade mark specialist Martín Torres. IP and healthcare senior Laura Ángel Jaramillo is the key contact at associate level. Former group co-head María Fernanda Castellanos left the firm in May 2022.

Buriticá Abogados SAS.’ firm-wide focus on health law pays dividends in a strong client list, which is primarily comprised of entities operating in the pharma, medical devices and cannabis spheres. Combining extensive experience in IP and consumer law matters, the team specialises in advising life sciences companies — particularly pharmaceutical laboratories — on regulatory and compliance issues. Department head Raúl Buriticá is a regulatory specialist, with a solid record in advising international life sciences clients on local matters.

CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s life sciences team ‘provides legal decisions with a high degree of business sense’, according to sources. The group’s emphasis on regulatory work ensures that it is well versed across a range of intellectual property and consumer law, including marketing approval processes, as well as labelling and advertising matters. Life sciences and healthcare head Karl Mutter combines strength in regulatory and IP issues. The practice also draws on associate director Luz Helena Vargas, who is ‘attentive to queries’. In November 2022, associate María Ximena Castellanos left to join Consultoría Regulatoria.

Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas’ interdisciplinary life sciences group sits within the firm’s wider regulatory law practice and focuses on IP, sanitary registrations, health permits,and other regulatory matters. Distinguished by its ability to plug into its extensive international network, the team is a popular choice to advise multinational clients, including companies in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food and beverage sectors. The department is led jointly by Luz Helena Adarve — who also heads the intellectual property, and privacy and cybersecurity practices — and Juanita Acosta, who specialises in  IP, privacy, and consumer protection. Since research concluded, the practice has been strengthened with the September 2023 hire of former Posse Herrera Ruiz senior associate Mónica Bonnett as a partner

Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría advises its life sciences industry clients on a range of IP and regulatory matters, including IP portfolio management, sanitary matters and consumer protection law. Practice co-head Mauricio Patiño is an IP specialist with complementary expertise in competition, TMT and dispute resolution. Fellow co-head Gerardo Flórez, who was elevated to the partnership in January 2023, is noted for his experience in regulatory and advertising law issues. Camilo Suárez, who was promoted to director in January 2023, provides IP-focused support.