Rachel Pontikes

Partner at Blank Rome LLP

Speaker

Rachael advises life sciences and healthcare clients on the full range of healthcare regulations impacting companies operating in this industry. Widely regarded as a thought leader in the compounding sector, Rachael represents coalitions of compounding pharmacies and outsourcing facilities to challenge the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), state regulators, or other regulatory bodies on critical issues defining the industry. As a recognized national authority, Rachael is ranked by Chambers USA in Band 1 for the Illinois Healthcare: Pharmaceutical/Medical Products Regulatory category. Clients describe her as “quick to understand and support the perspective of the business, allowing her to help formulate business solutions that fit into the regulatory framework of our industry” and say “[h]er intellect, measured responses, written expertise and work ethic are unsurpassed.”

Rachael has notable strength in representing healthcare facilities in high-stakes FDA, Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and state agency investigations and related litigation, as well as acting as regulatory counsel for large-scale, high-profile transactions involving major healthcare players in the compounding space. She provides industry-tailored advice to innovative healthcare-focused companies, such as telehealth platforms, drug distributors, physician and veterinary practices, and online pharmacy and prescription management services, as well as pharmacies (commercial/retail, nuclear, compounding, and institutional), hospital systems, and outsourcing facilities.

Rachael also maintains an active civil action and pro bono practice, focusing on assisting clients affected by sexual exploitation.