Arnon, Tadmor-Levy provides ‘‘high-quality and solution-oriented advice, with very good knowledge and great experience in the biotech industry’, and its deep bench of lawyers handles all aspects of the healthcare and life sciences sector. Efrat Shapira-Orren ‘possesses a unique understanding of the very complex nature, structure and challenges of the Israeli healthcare market’. Barry Levenfeld is vastly experienced in M&A and investment transactions in the sector, having acted for prominent Israeli and foreign private equity and venture capital funds in fund formation and portfolio investments. He recently worked with Yoheved Novogroder Shoshan (who is ‘a seasoned top professional, who can explain the core issues to the business people’) to handle numerous commercial matters for an incubator dedicated to nurturing early-stage medical device companies. Daniel Green frequently acts for leading technology transfer organisations at universities and medical centres. Newly promoted partner Miriam Friedmann also plays a key role in the team.

The ‘super-talented, professional and kind’ practice group at FISCHER (FBC & Co.) is known for its ‘proactive approach and dedication’ to technology transfer matters, IP licensing, regulatory issues, privacy and data protection, M&A deals, investments, financing, litigation, and more. Led by corporate partners Raz Tepper and Eran Yaniv, and ‘exceptional’ hi-tech and VC specialist Sharon Gazit, the practice is the first port of call for numerous private and public life sciences companies, medical device manufacturers, research organisations, HMOs, and hospitals. Gazit and Judy Amidor, who handles M&A, IP, licensing, and finance transactions, recently assisted the local subsidiary of a leading global pharmaceutical company with the registration and management of IP developed in clinical trials, as well as data sharing agreements.

Goldfarb Gross Seligman & Co. has broad exposure to the life sciences and healthcare industry, having maintained a key role in large M&A transactions, among them a $671m going private transaction for a major pharmaceutical company, as well as handling complex regulatory and licensing matters. Head of life sciences Hili Cohen is a key adviser to technology-based companies in the life sciences, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, digital health, telemedicine, diagnostics, and medical cannabis sectors. Corporate and commercial partner Danny Kleinhendler, emerging talent Shir Shalev, and Ofir Goldstein, who handles technology licensing agreements, investments, capital, and development agreements, are the standout practitioners in a diverse, multidisciplinary team.

At Herzog Fox & Neeman, ‘complex problems are always solved’, and clients appreciate the ‘incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, and proactive’ group of lawyers. Dan Sharot, who predominantly handles IP and technology matters in the healthcare sector, co-leads the practice with regulatory and commercial specialist Neta Dorfman-Raviv, Zohar Yahalom, who is a member of numerous national committees on major healthcare policy issues, and Orit Hipsher, as a member of several national committees on major healthcare policy issues. Yaholom is highly regarded for his extensive regulatory knowledge, and he recently worked with Dorfman-Raviv to assist Israel’s third-largest health fund on complex matters concerning insurance coverage for members, employees, doctors, and officers, and with respect to pharmaceutical regulation and clinical trial agreements, as well as assisting with clinical trial agreements.

Horn & Co is a boutique firm that advises companies in the technology sector, including many in the life science and pharmaceutical industries. Its work spans high-value M&A, as well as agreements with academic institutions and governmental authorities on R&D, clinical trials, manufacturing and supply, distribution, strategic partnering, and collaboration. Lead partner Yuval Horn, who ‘consistently delivers exceptional client service’, is recognised as a leading light in the market. He recently advised a clinical stage biotechnology company on a $250m merger with a US-based private company. Keren Kanir is an acknowledged expert in corporate finance and commercial transactions relating to intellectual property. Clients note that ‘their keen attention to cost-effectiveness and resource management ensures clients receive exceptional value for their investment.’

At Lipa Meir & Co ‘the life sciences team is practical, skilled, business savvy and learned’. The firm handles everything, from big data and cybersecurity issues to litigation, judicial reviews and regulatory matters, and it is increasingly involved in significant corporate transactions in the life sciences sector. A recent example is its work for a NASDAQ-listed pharmaceutical company on its $58m merger with an Israeli company that develops treatments for Parkinson’s disease. ‘His human and professional qualities shine and guide clients in complex legal and business issues’, say clients of practice head Gary Copelovitz, who handled that transaction. Isaac Anidjer, who focuses on litigation, and commercial partner Meir Elbaum, also play pivotal roles in the practice.

The healthcare and life sciences group at S. Horowitz & Co is ‘very professional, persistent and serious’. The firm offers a full range of advice on intellectual property, regulatory, product liability, antitrust and commercial matters, and it has a prominent role in class action litigation and other complex disputes. The practice is led by IP specialists Tal Band, Dovev Apel, and Ran Vogel, all of whom are significantly involved in drafting and reviewing major legislation processes before the Ministry of Health and the Israeli parliament. Asaf Rentsler is a key adviser on disputes involving hospitals, health professionals, patients, pharmaceuticals companies, and government agencies. Up-and-coming partners Moran Katz and Yair Ziv handle intellectual property and regulatory matters concerning pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

Clients of Agmon with Tulchinsky Law Firm comment on the ‘excellent service’ they receive from ‘great lawyers’. The firm prides itself on its expertise in licensing work, and its recent mandates include high-value deals for some of the country’s largest pharmaceutical companies; it is also adept in matters concerning R&D, regulatory compliance, M&A, IP commercialisation, VC funding, and healthcare litigation. Its clients range from innovative start-ups to multi-national companies. Lead partners Ehud Arad, Osnat Sarusi Firstater, and Uri Barak are recognised experts in corporate and investment matters for hi-tech and life sciences companies. Alon Tabak-Aviram is also recommended for advising leading companies in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors on corporate and technology licensing matters.

Firon Law Firm has ‘a very experienced team with invaluable sector insight and understanding’. Clients highly recommend practice heads Baruch Shugol (who is a ‘high-flying A-lister’) and the ‘fabulous’ Sivan Narkiss, as well as the up-and-coming Jacob Enoch, who is ‘an all around wonder’. The firm is heavily involved in the healthcare sector through its strong relationships with hospitals and HMOs, and in life sciences through its work for leading pharmaceuticals companies, as well as start-ups. The firm recently advised Israel’s largest HMO on complex class actions concerning breach of duty to protect the medical and personal details of its customers.

Gornitzky & Co. is ‘experienced and well positioned in the market, with deep knowledge of the industry and the technologies in the market’. The firm handles the full range of work, from corporate and regulatory matters to litigation, and is well known for advising innovative start-ups as well as long-established medical device and pharmaceutical companies. It is currently advising developers of new digital health tools, including applications for monitoring and tracking vital signs. The lead partners are the ‘knowledgeable' and 'experienced’ Assaf Harel, who handles regulatory and compliance matters, including data privacy; ‘leading dealmaker’ Netta Shaked-Stadler, who focuses on corporate and commercial matters; cross-border transaction specialist Itamar Mei-Zahav; and US law expert Shy Baranov.

Liad Whatstein & Co. Law Office is predominantly involved in IP litigation, and the vast majority of its work is in the life sciences and healthcare sector. The firm acts for numerous global pharmaceutical companies in patent litigation and prosecution, as well as providing advice on regulatory and transactional issues. Lead partners Liad Whatstein and Amira Mangelus are ‘superb lawyers and advisors who are responsive to requests and work collaboratively’. They recently advised two major pharmaceutical clients on complex patent proceedings relating to a blockbuster anti-coagulant drug. Clients praise Whatstein’s ‘depth of knowledge on both technical and legal issues’. Oren Weiner is a patent term extension specialist who also plays a key role in the practice.

Meitar Law Offices has been recently involved in a range of complex and high-value work for large pharmaceutical and life sciences companies. Corporate transactions are at the heart of the firm’s work; prime examples being a $1.6bn merger between two pharmaceutical companies and the $300m acquisition of an early-stage life sciences company. The firm also handles intellectual property protection and management, advice on clinical trials, product liability disputes, and regulatory matters. Key advisers to entrepreneurs, start-ups, and mature companies on M&A deals, Haim Gueta and Boaz Mizrahi co-lead the practice alongside experienced litigator Ron Peleg. Technology and IP partner Rebecca Fisher also stands out.

Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer Baratz is best known for its work on corporate transactions and IP matters, in which it acts for pharmaceutical companies, life science start-ups, med-tech developers, HMOs, and medical cannabis companies, among others. It frequently acts for companies listed in the US and Europe, as well as major Israeli businesses, including the technology transfer divisions of leading academic institutions. One of the country’s largest patent firms, it is a dominant force in IP matters, though it also assists with corporate transactions and capital raising. Zeev Pearl is recognised as a standout IP lawyer, as is Hili Rashkovan. Mark S. Cohen focuses on patent prosecution and Yael Baratz handles cross-border corporate and M&A transactions.

The hi-tech and venture capital group at Amit, Pollak, Matalon & Co. Advocates and Notary has ‘vast experience in running business processes and financial decisions’, and clients appreciate the ‘dedicated, humble and wise’ lawyers, including practice heads Ian Rostowsky and Yoav Etzyon. IP specialist Omer Carmel and up-and-coming partners Assaf Baruch and Chagit Pedael, who handle corporate finance and M&A transactions, also play key roles in the practice. The firm frequently supports clients with equity investments, data privacy matters, corporate transactions, joint ventures, enforcement, and litigation.

Barnea Jaffa Lande & Co. supports clients in the life sciences, technology, cosmetics, and consumer products industries, as well as research institutions, with M&A, regulatory matters, IP, and a host of other services. Practice head Michael Barnea is ‘one of a kind’ and is regarded as a key adviser to technology companies. Working with corporate partner Itay Gura, he assisted a company that conducts cell therapy clinical trials for treatment of vascular diseases with agreements to run trials in Israel, the US, and Europe. Ken Shaked draws on extensive in-house experience at leading pharmaceutical companies, and Ariella Dreyfuss is well-versed in commercial transactions and IP matters.

Epstein Rosenblum Maoz (ERM) ‘excels in handling complex, high-stakes cross-border M&A deals, with unmatched regulatory expertise’. Its work encompasses advice on clinical trials, IP, venture capital funding, and much more. The practice is led by corporate and VC specialist Ron Abelski, who is ‘a trusted advisor and an excellent negotiator’, and cross-border financing expert Simon Marks, who ‘solves complicated issues’. Abelski recently acted for a leading global provider of products and services for patients with chronic kidney failure in the negotiation of commercial contracts, and the import and distribution of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and disposables in Israel.

Shibolet & Co. is ‘an exceptional legal practice for start-ups’, and it boasts a diverse client base that also includes hit-tech companies, incubators, investors, VC funds, research institutes, HMOs, and more. Focused predominantly on corporate and investment transactions, the firm also supports clients in the healthcare and life sciences sectors with regulatory, IP, antitrust, and litigation advice. Regulatory expert Ofer Ben-Yehuda and hi-tech investment specialist Einat Weidberg are the lead partners. Regulatory and crisis management specialist Amos Bentzur is a key adviser to HMOs and pharmaceutical companies.