Life Sciences Disputes & Pharma Regulatory

We advise and represent pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, and healthcare companies in complex contractual and IP disputes, litigations and arbitrations, in regulatory matters and before Swissmedic. We offer tailored solutions, leveraging deep industry knowledge and longstanding in-house experience within the pharmaceutical sector to navigate its complexities. With in-depth expertise in the drug development life cycle, our services encompass civil and administrative litigation, arbitration (incl. interim relief), company representation before authorities (e.g., Swissmedic), handling of product liability claims, and contractual disputes arising from a wide range of areas, such as licensing, co-promotion, manufacturing, distribution, joint ventures, supply agreements, M&A transactions.

Our approach to Pharma Life Sciences Disputes & Pharma Regulatory

Our interdisciplinary approach and deep understanding of the pharmaceutical sector enable us to achieve our clients’ goals reliably and efficiently. Our teams are designed to be lean yet effective, with our partners actively involved at every stage, ensuring our clients receive top-tier service. We prioritize innovation and collaboration, working closely with our clients to develop tailored solutions that address their unique legal, regulatory, compliance, and operational challenges, driving success in a highly competitive and regulated environment.

We are independent and conflict-free

As an independent law firm based in Switzerland, we have the liberty to collaborate with any advisor globally and serve as the central coordinator for all legal representatives involved in a strategy that spans multiple jurisdictions. Our lack of affiliation with any international networks or global offices allows us to partner with the most suitable experts and lawyers for each specific matter and work alongside our clients' existing advisors worldwide.

Our firm's independence and focus solely on dispute resolution and investigations enable us to take on cases that many other firms cannot, due to conflicts of interest. We are a preferred firm for conflict referral work, trusted by some of the world's largest law firms to protect their clients' interests. This trust cements our status as premier specialists in life sciences disputes and pharma regulatory.

Track Record

  • Representing a Swiss pharma multinational company in a high-stakes distribution dispute, involving claims for compensation for clientele and damages.

  • Representing an Italian pharmaceutical company against a Swedish subsidiary of a global leader in the generics sector in connection with claims arising from the termination of a distribution agreement and the decision not to launch products.

  • Representing and advising a Swiss pharma multinational company in a complex contract dispute arising from the decision not to launch products, encompassing claims of breach of contract, financial losses, failure to meet performance obligations, disputes over termination clauses, and allegations of bad faith and unfair dealing.

  • Representing a US biotechnology company in high-profile product liability disputes, involving claims for injuries caused by defective products, insufficient warnings, and seeking compensation for related damages and losses.

  • Representing a Swiss multinational company operating in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and nutrition sectors for several claims against employees following internal investigations into data theft and theft of trade secrets.

  • Advising and representing foreign pharma companies in relation to operational licenses (manufacturing, wholesale, import, export, foreign trade), including in proceedings before Swissmedic concerning the lack of these licenses.

  • Representing a Swiss branch of a Spanish pharma company in proceedings before Swissmedic regarding the allegation of marketing expired products and GMP-violations, including conducting an internal investigation to ascertain the facts.

  • Advising a multinational foreign pharma company concerning healthcare and regulatory compliance regarding interactions with healthcare providers and patient organizations.

  • Advising foreign pharma companies concerning the permissibility of sponsoring educational congresses and events under the Ordinance on Integrity and Transparency in the Healthcare Sector (VITH) and industry regulations in Switzerland.

  • Advising pharma companies on the distribution of their products to wholesalers and healthcare providers, especially regarding monetary benefits (e.g. discounts, kickbacks).

  • Advising pharma companies in professional and consumer advertising.

  • Advising pharm and healthcare companies on contracts specific to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry (research agreements, clinical trial agreements, contract manufacturing agreements, distribution agreements).

Her knowledge is first class and she is really on top of developments in the space. We appreciate her key strategic insights and combination of in-depth knowledge and strategic thinking.

CHAMBERS EUROPE & CHAMBERS EUROPE - LIFE SCIENCES 2025

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Claudia Götz Staehelin is an exemplary lawyer. She is responsive, knowledgeable, pragmatic, business-focused and keenly aware of the political landscape and external factors.

CHAMBERS EUROPE & CHAMBERS EUROPE - LIFE SCIENCES 2025

Go to Chambers & Partners

Claudia Götz Staehelin has superb experience in litigation as well as regulatory matters.

CHAMBERS EUROPE & CHAMBERS EUROPE - LIFE SCIENCES 2025

Go to Chambers & Partners

Claudia Götz Staehelin is a real pleasure to work with. She is highly intelligent, client-focused, insightful and pragmatic. I truly value the collaboration we have with her and her team.

CHAMBERS EUROPE & CHAMBERS EUROPE - LIFE SCIENCES 2024

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Claudia Götz Staehelin possesses the – for external counsels – rare combination of business experience and significant company insights and broad and long-term dispute resolution expertise. (...) has also extensive experience in handling large internal investigations in an international context.

LEGAL 500 - HEALTHCARE & LIFE SCIENCES 2022

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Claudia Götz Staehelin is a highly experienced litigator and a superb advocate with excellent strategic skills. She is a sharp tactician, always looking a few steps ahead strategically. (...) She has particular experience in handling large compliance investigations and cross-border proceedings, and Claudia is excellent in including not only the legal aspects in the case strategy, but also aspects beyond that, such as reputation and real crisis management.

LEGAL 500 - HEALTHCARE & LIFE SCIENCES 2021

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