Pinsent Masons consolidates Dublin presence with hire from Novartis

Life sciences transactional lawyer Michael Stewart has joined the Dublin office of Pinsent Masons from an in-house position at innovator drug company Novartis, as part of the firm’s move to consolidate its life sciences expertise across the UK, Europe and now Ireland. According to the firm, his appointment will bolster the firm’s pan-European Technology, Science and Industry (TSI) capabilities.

Stewart, who specialises in corporate transactional projects including M&A, assets sales and purchases, corporate finance and licensing and collaboration deals, was most recently global head of legal, strategic transactions in the Novartis group transactions team.

Michael Stewart

From Novartis to Pinsent Masons

During his time at Novartis, Stewart was involved in the high-profile spin-off of the pharmaceutical company’s eyecare division, Alcon, in 2019. He also worked on the acquisition of generic division Sandoz, following its proposed spin-off from Novartis, by Japan-based generics business, Aspen Pharmacare Holdings, as well as Novartis’ sale of drug Xiidra to Bausch + Lomb. Xiidra is a product for the treatment of dry-eye disease.

Prior to his role at the innovator drug company, Stewart spent a decade at Hogan Lovells in London, during which he spent time at Novartis on secondment.

Michael Stewart says, “After seven years in-house I am very excited to move back to private practice and continue my career at Pinsent Masons.

The firm’s reputation as a leader in life sciences legal services, its stellar client base and depth of expertise will be an excellent platform that will enable me to build a thriving cross border practice.”

Partner moves in Dublin

Stewart’s move comes off the back of a recent blow to the firm. In early July 2023, Ann Henry announced her move to the Bird & Bird team in Ireland, becoming the firm’s second patent-specialist partner in the capital city of Dublin. She had been a partner, and the Pinsent Masons head of office, since 2018.

Following the departure of Henry, the Dublin office of Pinsent Masons had no official patent partners. Legal director Karen Gallagher led the team in the interim. Furthermore, seven of the firm’s London-based partners are also Irish-qualified, with each partner working in Dublin once a month.

Clare Tunstall, head of IP and life sciences at Pinsent Masons, says, “Michael has acted on some of the biggest transactions in the sector. His in-house and private practice expertise will have a significant impact on our multinational life sciences capabilities and in particular will enhance our on-the-ground sector offering in Dublin. High-growth biotech and medtech start-ups play a pivotal role in the pharmaceuticals industry and we are confident that Michael’s expertise will enable us to further tap into this vibrant market.”

Building life sciences in London

In the past year, Pinsent Masons has specifically focused on developing its partnership – especially in the life sciences sector. Last week, JUVE Patent reported that the firm had bolstered its ranks in London through the hire of James Marshall from Taylor Wessing.

In March 2023, the London office announced that highly regarded patent attorney Kristina Cornish had moved to the firm. She is a partner in its life sciences team. Cornish was one of the first patent attorney partners at the firm in London, with the move coming just months before the UPC opened its doors.

The addition of patent market stalwarts Marshall, who had spent 26 years at his previous firm, and Cornish, who had spent 25 years at Kilburn & Strode, means Pinsent Masons’ UK-based IP partnership is now 13-strong. This includes twelve litigators and Cornish, as the only patent attorney, in the firm’s move towards a mixed-firm model.