Wragge & Co LLP has boosted its Life Sciences practice with the appointment of Dr Luke Kempton as a partner. With significant expertise in life sciences litigation and transactions, Luke will be a major force in driving forward the life sciences practice.

Patrick Duxbury said: "Luke boasts a unique blend of technical and scientific knowledge, coupled with tremendous client handling skills. The life sciences market is extremely competitive, with sophisticated clients and targets. His experience in life sciences litigation and transactions, combined with an excellent reputation, will underline Wragge & Co's credentials for top tier life sciences work."

Luke, a PhD biochemist, has helped to forge the firm's sector-focused life sciences practice. Working alongside Patrick Duxbury, he advises on a mix of complex patent litigation and non-contentious work, including collaboration agreements and regulatory matters in Europe and internationally.

Luke said: "Our life sciences practice is thriving and our strategy is working well. We've established a strong national and international presence, and with yet another partner dedicated to the practice, we are poised for further growth."

Wragge & Co's 16-lawyer Life Sciences team delivers a unique mix of IP, corporate, antitrust, regulatory and dispute resolution advice to key players in the sector. It acts for a broad range of clients, from start-up to multinational, on a growing number of high-profile, cross-border collaborations and patent litigation cases. Clients include AstraZeneca, Astex Therapeutics, Genentech, the Medical Research Council, Inverness Medical Innovations, MedImmune, Eisai, PanGenetics, Chroma Therapeutics and 3i.

Luke is one of nine partners promoted in 2008 in the key practice areas of corporate, real estate, IP, construction, human resources and finance litigation. He joins Patrick Duxbury, Kevin Jones, Huw Evans, Ian Piggin and Bernardine Adkins as partners in the Life Sciences practice.

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For further information about this press release, contact Kathryn Hobbs on +44 (0)121 213 2397, Alexa Highfield on +44 (0)121 213 2396 or Michelle Dolphin on +44 (0)121 213 2369

This press release may contain information of general interest about current legal issues, but does not give legal advice.