21 Oct 2021 | 02:18 pm |
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised the UK government on its contracts for the purchase of significant volumes of two novel, Covid-19 specific, antivirals.
The two antivirals have been developed by MSD and Pfizer. MSD’s antiviral - Molnupiravir - has been shown to cut hospitalisation rates of Covid-19 patients by nearly half. It is also the first oral treatment that has been effective in treating Covid-19. The treatment works by targeting an enzyme the virus uses to make copies of itself. The Pfizer antiviral is in late-stage clinical development.
Commenting on the deal, lead life sciences partner Allistair Booth said:
"The response of the life sciences sector to the Covid-19 pandemic and what the sector has achieved is nothing short of phenomenal. The development of these antivirals is a further example of that. These drugs could play a key role in reducing hospitalisation of Covid-19 patients in the UK, helping to alleviate pressure on the NHS. We are proud to have worked with the UK government on securing these agreements.”
Alongside Allistair, the team working on the deals included life sciences experts Mario Subramaniam, Niki Ruprai, Andrew Cornforth, Kiah York, Serena Hitchcock, Ioana Chiva and Jackie Harris.
This follows the team’s work advising the UK government on its initial procurement of the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine and for its autumn revaccination programme.
Key Contacts
Pinsent Masons advises PIC on £132m buy-in of Tomkins 2008 pension scheme retirement benefits plan.
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised various institutional investors in relation to Umicore’s € 591 million sustainability linked note fundraising.
Pinsent Masons has advised the shareholders of Alveo, including funds managed by Sovereign Capital Partners (SCP), on its sale to Symphony Technology Group (STG).
Pinsent Masons has advised the shareholders of Alveo, including funds managed by Sovereign Capital Partners (SCP), on its sale to Symphony Technology Group (STG).
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Statkraft on the sale of a 50% stake in their Irish offshore wind portfolio to Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ fund, Copenhagen Infrastructure IV K/S, as part of its plans to develop up to 2.2 gigawatts of offshore wind in Ireland.
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons is advising Saint-Gobain Limitedon the sale of all its UK distribution business to the Stark Group.
For all media enquiries, including arranging an interview with one of our spokespeople, please contact the press office on
Location contacts
Europe: [email protected]
Asia: [email protected]
Middle East: [email protected]
Australia: [email protected]