Gowling WLG's Head of Life Sciences (UK), Patrick Duxbury, has been named 'Life Sciences – Transactional Lawyer of the Year' at the prestigious 'Who's Who Legal Awards 2022'.

Each year Who's Who Legal recognises the individuals and firms that have performed exceptionally well, in over 70 jurisdictions. Following in-depth research, the awards identify a single lawyer and a firm of the year in each of 34 featured practice areas.

Patrick's success marks him out as the premier lawyer in the UK for transactional life sciences work in 2022. The award follows further Who's Who Legal success, with Pat having also been named a 'Thought Leader' in the 'Global Elite: Life Sciences – Transactional' list, and a 'Global Leader' in the 'IP: Patents', 'Life Sciences: Regulatory', and 'Life Sciences: Transactional' lists, this year.

Commenting on the win, Patrick Duxbury said: "It's a tremendous honour to receive this award. We have a highly skilled, global life sciences practice at Gowling WLG and I've been proud to lead on a number of significant and complex transactions for the team; including recent deals for AstraZeneca, Sosei Heptares, BioNTech and Amphista Therapeutics. It's an interesting time for the sector with an increasing move into more high-tech collaborations. We are excited to play our part in that trend, supporting clients with their development plans."

Originally a microbiologist and geneticist before requalifying as a lawyer in 1993, Patrick specialises in all aspects of transactional work in the life sciences sector. He is a 'Leading Individual' in both the Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 2023 rankings, and is both a well-known speaker in the area of life sciences and teaches on the BIO Advanced Business Development Course in both the US and Europe.

Gowling WLG's 150-strong global Life Sciences team combines extensive sector expertise with full-service capability. With a reputation for being "excellent for corporate and investment transactions" and "complex licence, research and collaboration agreements" (Chambers & Partners UK), its clients range from global pharmaceutical companies and leading research and academic bodies, to small private companies and start-up businesses.