Former Swissmedic Head of Legal Affairs Andreas Balsiger Betts to Join Sidley in Switzerland

PR76644

GENEVA, Dec. 6/PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

       Andreas Balsiger Betts joins along with Olivier Goarnisson to expand the

firm's capabilities and establish the first global life sciences practice

serving all language areas of Switzerland

    Sidley Austin LLP [https://www.sidley.com/en/us ] is pleased to announce

that Andreas Balsiger Betts, the former Head of Legal Affairs at Swissmedic,

will join the firm as a senior advisor in Switzerland, and that Olivier

Goarnisson, the former Director of Medical Affairs Operations and a lawyer at a

global pharmaceutical company, has joined the life sciences practice in

Switzerland as counsel. Their arrival signals the expansion of Sidley's life

sciences capabilities to serve all language areas of Switzerland, strengthening

the firm's position as a foremost provider of life sciences legal services in

Europe and globally.  

    Andreas Balsiger Betts previously served as the Head of Legal Affairs and

Member of the Management Board of Swissmedic, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic

Products. In this capacity, he had a leading role in drafting the complete

revision of the Swiss Federal Act on Therapeutic Products and its ordinances,

which will come into force in 2019. He represented Swissmedic in all the Swiss

parliamentary committee meetings in this context as well as in all meetings

with EU member state agency counterparts. At Sidley, he will

advise on regulatory matters in the life sciences industry.

    Olivier Goarnisson combines an in-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical

legal framework in both Switzerland and the EU with direct insight into the

challenges facing in-house lawyers. He possesses dual qualification as a lawyer

and medical doctor, and will focus his practice on matters related to clinical

trials, non-interventional studies, pharmacovigilance, marketing

authorizations, market access, data protection, and compliance and enforcement.

    "Andreas's arrival initiates our effort to provide the first comprehensive

global life sciences legal practice in Switzerland, offering a deep,

three-continent perspective to established global companies, to the emerging

biotechnology sector, and to the many global life sciences companies that call

Switzerland home," said Scott Bass, leader of Sidley's global Life Sciences

practice. "Andreas is highly recognized in the Swiss life sciences

industry for his in-depth knowledge of the regulatory environment. His insights

into Swiss institutions will significantly bolster our ability to offer global

solutions to local challenges for clients in the life sciences sector. We are

very happy that Olivier also joins our firm, bringing his experience in a wide

range of matters related to life sciences regulatory law, specifically in the

pharmaceutical industry."

    In his role as Head of Legal Affairs and Member of the Management Board of

Swissmedic, Andreas Balsiger Betts acquired a comprehensive and in-depth

understanding of the current legal framework, as well as extensive knowledge of

the Swiss legislative processes on the parliamentary and executive levels. He

was in charge of establishing and maintaining legal guidance for Swissmedic's

policies, procedures and practice, both on the strategic and the

day-to-day level. With his division of specialized prosecutors, Andreas was

also responsible for law enforcement initiatives within the remit of

Swissmedic. Under his guidance, his team represented Swissmedic in all court

cases regarding administrative and penal decisions taken by the agency, against

claims of liability and in freedom of information inquiries.

    Olivier Goarnisson oversaw his company's execution of post-authorization

studies and related interactions with regulatory authorities. He also oversaw

programs through which the company provided support for academic research in

Europe. In this role, he ensured compliance of the company's academic support

programs with anti-corruption and pharmacovigilance requirements. He also

helped the company manage intellectual property and product liability risks

that may arise from involvement in academic research. Before

moving in-house, Olivier worked for six years as a lawyer in Sidley's Brussels

office, where he honed his skills in advising on regulatory law, clinical

trials, pharmacovigilance and data protection issues affecting clients in the

life sciences industry.

    Andreas Balsiger Betts and Olivier Goarnisson are the latest additions to

the firm's multidisciplinary and integrated global network of lawyers focused

on serving clients in the life sciences sector.

    With 2,000 lawyers in 20 offices around the globe, Sidley is a premier

legal adviser for clients across the spectrum of industries. Follow Sidley on

Twitter @SidleyLaw

[https://twitter.com/sidleylaw ].

    For purposes of the New York State Bar rules, this press release may be

considered Attorney Advertising and our headquarters are Sidley Austin LLP, 787

Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, +1-212-839-5300; One South Dearborn,

Chicago, IL 60603, +1-312-853-7000; and 1501 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

20005, +1-202-736-8000.

    Contact:

    Kellie Mullins

    Director, Public Relations

    +1-312-456-8716

    kmullins@sidley.com  

    Source: Sidley Austin LLP