Sally Shorthose

Partner at Bird & Bird

Speaker

As one of our firm's most experienced intellectual property partners, specialising in transactional IP matters, I offer 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.

As a transactional IP lawyer, I provide advice on the protection and exploitation of IP rights, both in standalone transactions and as part of acquisition, divestment or investment activity. I lead the team delivering licensing, partnering and exploitation agreements, and research, development and marketing collaborations. I also advise our clients on regulatory and 'freedom to operate' issues, and manage significant due diligence matters. I am joint head of the International Life Sciences Regulatory Group.

Before joining Bird & Bird in 2006, I 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 me significant insight into the need for pragmatic commercial advice.

As well as speaking on IP generally, and regulatory life sciences topics particularly, I contribute to leading publications, and I edit 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. I am a member of the Global Board of Bird & Bird.

I was named a Global Elite Thought Leader in the 2024 Who's Who Life Sciences report.