Field Fisher Waterhouse Becomes OBN Corporate Sponsor Supporting UK Life Sciences

LONDON and OXFORD, England, April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

OBN, the UK membership organisation supporting emerging life sciences companies, corporate partners and investors, is pleased to announce that Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has joined its growing list of Corporate Sponsors.

Through their sponsorship of OBN's activities, thirteen best-in-class companies are now actively supporting the UK life sciences sector. As Corporate Patrons, these are Shire and Johnson & Johnson Innovation; and as Corporate Sponsors, MEPC Milton Park, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, James Cowper LLP, World Courier, Oval Insurance Broking, J A Kemp, EY, Penningtons Manches LLP, Horton Ruston Poole, Interea International, and Citigate Dewe Rogerson.

Dr Jon Rees, CEO of OBN, said: "The evidence suggests that the UK life sciences industry is enjoying one of its strongest fundraising periods for years. However, with opportunities come risks. Companies entering complex fundraising processes require expert advisors and therefore we are delighted that Field Fisher Waterhouse have made their significant commitment to support OBN and its Member companies. Field Fisher Waterhouse have continued to actively expand their Life Sciences and Healthcare sector experience, having acted on PolyTherics Limited's fundraising and acquisition of Antitope Limited in July 2013 and more recently for Panmure Gordon in connection with Horizon Discovery plc's admission to AIM, in what was one of the biggest fundraisings on AIM this year. Their extensive public markets, corporate and commercial licensing experience will be an asset to our Members."

Field Fisher Waterhouse consultant, Bradley Theobald, will chair one of ten expert panel discussions at this year's BioTrinity (http://www.biotrinity.com) - OBN's flagship event and Europe's Leading Biopartnering and Investment Conference. Joining Bradley to debate Trends and Deal Structures in Early Stage Partnering will be senior industry executives from Takeda, Astellas, MSD and Johnson & Johnson Innovation. Field Fisher Waterhouse is also sharing its considerable experience negotiating IP licensing rights through a workshop exploring best practices in securing the maximum benefit and certainty from deal terms and conditions.

BioTrinity 2014 takes place from 12-14 May at the Novotel London West.

Alison Dennis, a Partner at Field Fisher Waterhouse and head of Life Sciences and Healthcare, commented: "Field Fisher Waterhouse is delighted to sponsor OBN which has shown itself to be a cornerstone of the UK life sciences sector, focusing on activities that give emerging R&D companies a competitive edge in the fundraising and deal-making arenas. We are pleased to formalise our support of OBN's work and will be lending our support to two OBN Senior Executive Dinners this year, the first in Cambridge on 3 June, the second in London later in the year. These invitation-only events will provide company decision-makers with that all-important, closed environment to network with their peers."  

Notes to the Editor 

ABOUT OBN 

OBN (http://www.obn.org.uk) is the membership organisation supporting and bringing together the UK's emerging life science companies, corporate partners and investors within the Golden Triangle biocluster (formed by the cities of Oxford, Cambridge and London) and beyond, providing networking, partnering, group purchasing, advice and advocacy. OBN produces BioTrinity (http://www.biotrinity.com), Europe's largest annual Biopartnering and Investment conference for emerging companies. BioTrinity 2014 will be held 12-14 May at the Novotel London West. It is expected to attract more than 1000 delegates from more than 30 countries, generating more R&D company-to-investor interactions than any other similar European event.

To become a Corporate Sponsor, contact Jon Rees (Tel-+44-(0)7795-233883: email Jon.Rees@obn.org.uk) or, to join OBN, contact Stephen Barton (Tel +44-(0)845-504-9720): email Stephen.Barton@obn.org.uk).

ABOUT Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP 

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP (http://www.ffw.com) is a European law firm with market leading practices in many of the world's most dynamic sectors including, Life Sciences, Real Estate, Energy, Financial Services, Government & Public Services, Hotels & Leisure,Media, Telecoms and Technology.

Clients choose to work with Field Fisher Waterhouse because it delivers commercial, pragmatic and innovative solutions through its exceptional legal expertise and experience, on time and on budget.

Field Fisher Waterhouse has more than 400 lawyers working with large and medium sized global and national businesses as well as with smaller enterprises, particularly those operating in highly regulated and/ or technology or R&D based business.  The firm fields a life sciences and healthcare team of more than 60 lawyers.  Field Fisher Waterhouse's life sciences specialists include recognised experts advising on the regulatory and compliance issues that affect almost every aspect of operation and product commercialisation of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device businesses in each of the countries in which we operate.

The Firm operates across international offices in Brussels, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Paris, London, Munich, Manchester, Palo Alto and Shanghai.

CONTACTS

OBN
Jon Rees, CEO
Tel: +44(0)845-5049-722 or email jon.rees@obn.org.uk

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Janine Hagan
Tel: +44(0)20-7638-9571 or email Janine.Hagan@citigatedr.co.uk

Field Fisher Waterhouse
Ibrahim Kamara
Tel:  +44(0)20-7861 4120