Pinsent Masons has hired transactional life-sciences specialist Michael Stewart as partner in its Dublin office as it expands its pan-European technology, science and industry (TSI) capabilities.

Stewart is a leading life-sciences lawyer, specialising in corporate transactional projects – including M&A, asset sales and purchases, corporate finance, and licensing and collaboration deals.

Lead counsel

He joins from Novartis, where he was lead counsel in the group transactions team, and is the fifth partner to join the firm’s TSI sector this year, following IP life-sciences expert Kristina Cornish, data-and-information-law partner Jaya Handa, TMT cyber-specialist Eleanor Ludlam, and patent litigator James Marshall.

At Novartis, Michael Stewart worked on the spin-off by Novartis of Alcon (its eye-care division), the acquisition by Sandoz of the Japan-based generics business of Aspen Pharmacare Holdings and, most recently, the announced sale by Novartis of Xiidra (a product for the treatment of dry-eye disease) to Bausch and Lomb.

He said: “After seven years in-house, I am very excited to move back to private practice and continue my career at Pinsent Masons. The firm’s reputation as a leader in life-sciences legal services, its stellar client base, and depth of expertise will be an excellent platform that will enable me to build a thriving cross-border practice.”