Life Sciences and the Law - July 2022

27 July 2022

Our summer newsletter arrives off the back of one of the hottest weeks we’ve experienced in recent years in the UK and disruption to much of our travel infrastructure. Nevertheless, things remain busy and it’s timely that we provide you with news on developments in the law related to life sciences that may apply to your business. This month’s guidance includes how to get a good deal and minimise your risk when negotiating commercial contracts; a recent case in which the ASA cracked down on the tone and accuracy of supermarket advertising in relation to plant-based diets; and how a recent reform of procurement law may affect the way the NHS buys digital tech.

We also share notable news about psychedelic medicine client Psych Capital; and our recent success in a novel surrogacy application that made UK and international headlines. Plus a round-up of industry events we’ve attended recently and new events coming up.

Our Meet the Team spot introduces you to legal director Sam Hudson, talking about his work with a range of life sciences clients and the tune that always gets him on the dancefloor.

If you have any questions, requests or comments, please get in touch. Otherwise, as always, kick back for a few minutes, sip something cold and enjoy the read.

News and views – what you need to know

Power to the plant!
We look at how Sainsbury’s got it right and Tesco got it wrong in their respective advertising promotions for plant-based diets and why the ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) cracked down. Read more
Key terms and negotiating tips for commercial healthtech contracts
As a medtech business you will need to enter into a range of commercial contracts with suppliers, software developers, manufacturers, etc. We take you through some of the key terms of commercial contracts and provide guidance on negotiating terms and making sure you don’t expose yourself to undue risk. Read more
How reform of procurement law may change the way the NHS buys digital tech
A range of things need to happen for the NHS to adopt and deploy technology, and one of these from a legal perspective is compliance with procurement rules. Here, Jamie Foster looks at what the rules are and how they might change – and if so whether for the better – under current proposals. Read more
Applications now open for PropelYH - turbo-charging digital health innovation
We’re excited to be acting as legal partner to Propel@YH once again this year as applications open for the 2022 cohort. Propel@YH is Yorkshire & Humber AHSN’s digital accelerator programme for innovative SMEs developing digital health solutions. Details here.
Client news

High Court rules in favour of widower Ted Jennings in novel surrogacy application case
Fertility law expert James Lawford Davies of our Life Sciences team successfully represented widower Ted Jennings in this recent High Court case which secured national and international coverage, including ITV News at Ten, The Times, The Guardian, The Independent and LBC Radio. More here.
Hill Dickinson advises Psych Capital on medical psychedelic sector’s first UK IPO
We recently advised Psych Capital plc on the company’s admission to the AQSE Growth Market in a notable deal that marked the first UK listing of a company operating in the nascent medical psychedelic sector. The deal paves the way for other international and domestic businesses to access capital markets in London. More here.
Events round up – what we’ve been up to

UCL Partners Innovation Fellows event
We very much enjoyed hosting UCL Partners’ summer reception at our London office last week, on 20 July. The innovation summer network event brought together representatives from the investment community and NHS Providers and included discussion on collaboration and partnerships within the health innovation ecosystem. More on how UCL partners with NHS trusts and universities across North and East London, Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire here.
Sustainability for healthtech and life sciences businesses – SEHTA
Jamie Foster, partner in our Health and Life Sciences team, presented a talk on sustainability for healthtech and life sciences businesses with our strategic partner SEHTA on 23 June. The talk delved into how healthtech companies should be considering sustainability in their strategies and the importance given the changes to procurement in the NHS. Please contact us for a link to the event recording.
Innovations showcase at the London Stock Exchange
Caroline Lorkin, of our Health and Life Sciences team, attended a recent showcase event at the LSE on 17 June designed to highlight funding opportunities available to support innovation in a healthcare setting and the de-risking of technologies to make them attractive to follow-on funders and private investors. More here.
Medilink Medtech Innovation Expo
Christiana Demetriou, senior associate in our Health and Life Sciences team, attended Medilink’s Medtech Innovation showcase on 9 June in Birmingham. As the UK and Ireland’s leading event for medical device supply chain intelligence, it was an excellent day to bring together designers, engineers and innovators from across the medical and healthcare sectors to explore new ideas, understand emerging technologies and network with over 4000 individuals.
IVF webinar: Prison and assisted reproduction
Assisted reproduction expert lawyer James Lawford Davies recently spoke as part of a distinguished panel assembled by the International IVF Initiative (I3) on the civil rights and healthcare realities of assisted procreation within the criminal justice system. A recording of the webinar is available here.
Small Cap Network – 2022 awards
The 10th birthday Small Cap Network Awards, in association with Master Investor, took place in London on 30 June and we were delighted to be headline sponsor for the second year running. The awards recognise the achievements and diversity of small caps in the UK, many of which operate in the medtech and healthcare innovation markets. A list of the 2022 winners is available here.
Upcoming events
Coming soon….
We’re constantly working on new in-person client events and webinars, details of which we announce on social media. Make sure you’re following our Life Sciences page on LinkedIn and Twitter for details and to reserve your place. Dates and details subject to confirmation.
Events in the pipeline include:
Alternative proteins event (by invitation only)
Recreational cannabis event
Attendance at Medica
SEHTA talk by Richard Parker, legal director in our Health, Care and Life Sciences team
Meet the team: Introducing Sam Hudson

We’re delighted to introduce you to Sam Hudson this month. Sam is a legal director in our Corporate-Commercial team whose work often crosses over with life sciences, with clients including CBD and wellness businesses, medical cannabis companies and companies in diagnostics and fertility spaces. Here, Sam shares career highlights and a whole lot more here.
Industry news in brief

New £20m investment fund for SMEs
A £20 million life sciences fund to support SMEs in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Warrington has been launched under the management of venture capital firm Praetura Ventures. The fund is offering investment of between £50,000 and £2 million to early-stage businesses and SMEs based in the region or who commit to relocating their operations there. Details of how to pitch here.
UK’s cannabis industry could be worth more than £1bn by 2026
Latest research by Prohibition Partners, a provider of specialist information, data analytics and digital commerce solutions to the licensed global cannabis industry, shows the UK market could grow to over £1 billion by 2026. While the figures would require the UK government to embrace and fully legalise cannabis this year, with recreational sales beginning in 2024, it is nevertheless a tantalising prospect for investors and operators alike. The European Cannabis Report – 7th Edition is available to purchase here.
National AI Strategy - AI Action Plan
The UK government has followed up publication last September of its National AI Strategy with an AI Action Plan, published 18 July, in which it outlines the activities being taken by each government department to advance the Strategy and cement the UK’s position as an AI leader. Actions include new funding for AI postgraduate skills, publication of the government’s Defence AI Strategy and setting out its ‘pro-innovation’ approach to regulating AI. More here.