Christopher Bates

Christopher is a member of the firm’s Life Sciences team. The main focus of his practice is advising pharmaceutical and medical devices companies on a range of regulatory issues across the product lifecycle, including product borderlines, clinical studies, regulatory exclusivities, marketing authorisations and CE marking, distribution, manufacturing, promotion, market access, and vigilance.

Christopher is particularly experienced in acting on advertising and industry code compliance matters, including copy review of promotional materials, advising on interactions with health care professionals, as well as acting in disputes under the ABPI Code and the ABHI Code. He also assists clients in developing internal compliance programmes and acts on internal investigations.

A key area of Christopher’s practice is advising on digital health technologies having advised start-ups, as well as leading technology, medical device, pharmaceutical, and insurance companies on regulatory matters, including on qualification and classification issues, conformity assessment, and the implications of the proposed EU AI Act.

Christopher also advises clients on pricing and reimbursement matters, including on the voluntary and statutory schemes for the pricing of branded medicines in the UK. His experience includes acting in disputes and negotiations with the Department of Health and Social Care.