Photo of Robin Blaney

Robin Blaney

Robin Blaney is a partner in the firm’s Life Sciences practice.  He advises pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and cosmetic manufacturers and trade associations on a wide range of regulatory, compliance, transactional and legislative matters, as well as the full range of commercial agreements that span the product life-cycle in the life sciences sector.  His expertise includes clinical trial agreements, manufacturing and supply agreements, distribution and other marketing agreements, regulatory services agreements, and tenders.  He has particular experience structuring and documenting EU pharmaceutical distribution arrangements and transitional arrangements relating to product acquisitions.  Robin writes and speaks regularly on subjects such as medical device regulation, pharmacovigilance and clinical trials.

Article originally published in PLC Life Sciences Handbook 2012

M&A in the life sciences sector has remained robust, driven by factors such as:

  • „„ The need to replenish shrinking product pipelines.
  • „„ The need to maintain revenues as patents on top-selling
  • products expire.
  • „„ The strategic diversification of business lines.


Continue Reading Key Considerations for European M&A in the Life Sciences Sector

Originally published as Covington E-Alert on June 15, 2011

The U.K. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has recently issued the final version of its guidance on the Agency Workers Regulations 2010, which implement Directive 2008/104/EC.

The Regulations come into force on 1 October 2011, and will entitle agency
Continue Reading Agency Workers Regulations: Issues for Life Sciences Companies

Article originally published in the In Vitro Diagnostics: The Complete Regulatory Guide (Chapter (8) with permission from FDLI), 2010

I. Introduction

This chapter discusses the European Union (EU) regulation of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices, covering both pre- and postmarket regulatory requirements. In order to understand these rules and
Continue Reading European Union Regulation of In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices

Article originally published in EURALex, issue 192, in March 2008

The European Commission has launched a consultation on proposed amendments to strengthen and rationalise the European Community (EC) pharmacovigilance rules and systems established by Directive 2001/83/EC and Regulation (EC) No 726/2004. Comments were sought from stakeholders by 1 February 2008.
Continue Reading European Commission’s Public Consultation on the EU Pharmacovigilance System