The firm is hoping to take advantage of the growing presence of large multinational pharmaceutical companies in the region, following industry developments that have catapulted China into a sector powerhouse.

Patent expirations

CMS’ life sciences sector group head Nick Beckett – who will lead the Beijing team – commented: ‘China is an especially attractive mergers and acquisitions destination for European and US drug-makers hoping to ride out the wave of imminent patent expirations. It is a prime location for companies looking to diversify their pipelines and make up for any shortfall.’
The launch will see CMS – which claims to have acted for 16 of the global top-20 pharma companies in the last 12 months – boost its China ranks to 30, split between offices in the capital and Shanghai.