Sally Shorthose, Partner
As one of Bird & Bird's most experienced intellectual property partners, specialising in transactional IP matters, Sally offers a wealth of knowledge to businesses at the cutting edge of research, development and technology, in a variety of sectors for which IP is of prime importance.
Providing the full array of commercial advice and support in IP, she leads the team delivering licensing, partnering and exploitation agreements, and research, development and marketing collaborations. Sally also advises clients on regulatory and 'freedom to operate' issues, and manage significant due diligence matters.
As a transactional IP lawyer, Sally provides advice on the protection and exploitation of IP rights, both in stand-alone transactions and as part of acquisition, divestment or investment activity.
Before joining Bird & Bird in 2006, she was head of IP & Life Sciences at another global law firm, after spending 11 years in-house firstly as senior legal adviser at ICI/Zeneca and latterly as Legal Director of Novartis UK. This experience has given her significant insight into the need for pragmatic commercial advice.
As well as speaking on IP generally, and regulatory life sciences topics particularly, Sally contributes to leading publications, and edits The Guide to EU Pharmaceutical Regulatory Law (Kluwer Law International), which is written entirely by the team at Bird & Bird with contributions from many offices. She also leads the Bird & Bird Brexit Steering Committee and write and speak on the implications of Brexit, particularly in relation to the life sciences and medical devices industries.
In such a fast moving regulatory environment, I would ensure that I have easy and regular access to a source of reliable and up to date information so that pharmaceutical companies can be managed as efficiently and proactively as possible.
I have been reviewing some agreements for potential COVID-19 related issues (a bit like ground hog day after Brexit preparation). I think some pre-emptive review of key agreements, and bearing the knock on effect of COVID-19 on negotiated agreements is again something to be borne in mind. From a social point of view, I think having a strict limit on the amount of news watched or heard is a great idea; my mental health improved considerably when I stopped waking up to and going to sleep with COVID-19 related news.
There is lots of information about how to cope with isolation and as far as keeping in touch with colleagues is concerned, I find video calls are warmer and more engaging than phone calls.
At Bird & Bird we have been reviewing the impact of the virus and associated guidelines, regulations and legislation in various countries – there is a lot to cover and I believe it will take some time to really get to grips with the long term impact.
Pharmaceutical companies have brighter future than many in other sectors and there will be great pressure to secure vaccines and remedies. Legal teams may well have to be extremely agile and imaginative to cope with the associated pressure.
