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Our industries

Pharmaceutical, healthcare and life sciences

We are recognised as a leading advisor for patent prosecution and litigation, corporate and licensing work in the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life sciences sectors.

Our pharmaceutical, healthcare and life sciences team stays up-to-date with the rapidly changing landscape of these innovative sectors, advising research institutions, healthcare providers, medical device companies and major pharmaceutical players on the full spectrum of their legal concerns, including regulatory issues such as product registration, clinical trial regulation and marketing authorization applications.

Our IP expertise is designed to protect all aspects of our client’s portfolios. We advise on one-off filings, prosecution and litigation and assist with all aspects of our client’s IP strategies. Our expertise encompasses the full range of patents, trademarks and copyrights. Our clients are prominent international household names with diverse IP portfolios and leading local clients with strong brands nationally and in the region.

We handle various pharmaceutical, healthcare and life sciences advisory work, including compliance, risk management, and dispute resolution.

Practice areas
  • Drugs manufacturing and distribution
  • Product licensing
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Commercial
At a glance
  • Novartis Pharma Pakistan Limited: represented the client in suits and thereafter appeals filed by ex-employees before the District Courts and the High Court of Sindh bench at Larkana.
  • Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association: represented client and obtained an interim order restraining the operation of section 7 of the import pricing policy as issued by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan on behalf of the Defending American Life Insurance Company (Pakistan) Limited (ALICO Pakistan) (now known as IGI Life Insurance Limited) and American Life Insurance Company (ALICO) in two suits filed before the High Court of Sindh at Karachi by employees of American Life Insurance Company (Pakistan) Limited, against the intended sale of ALICO’s majority shareholding in ALICO Pakistan, to IGI Insurance Limited.
  • Pfizer Corporation: represented the client in the restructuring and merger of its subsidiaries in Pakistan.
  • Searle IV Solutions: represented client, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies of Pakistan manufacturing lifesaving IV solutions, in a suit relating to whether an S.R.O granting a tax exemption applied to the material imported by Searle.
News and insights

RIAA Wins Pharmaceutical Tax Exemption Case – January 2025

RIAA Advises on Acquisition of Novartis Pakistan by Getz Group – December 2025

Speak to lead pharmaceutical, healthcare and life sciences partner Mayhar Kazi today.

News/Insight

  • DHA City: advising on first developer NEPRA distribution licence

    The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has granted DHA Energy Supply Company (DESCO) two licences for DHA City Karachi. The first is a NEPRA distribution licence, and the second makes DESCO the development's supplier of last resort. RIAA Barker Gillette advised DESCO throughout the application. No licensee outside the l...


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  • Pakistan safeguard investigation: NTC initiates first CPFTA case

    The National Tariff Commission (NTC) has initiated Pakistan's first safeguard investigation, acting on an application that RIAA Barker Gillette prepared for the domestic industry. The case concerns a surge in imports of vulcanised rubber thread and cord from China. It proceeds under Article 27 of the&nbs...


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  • Islamic financing behind Pakistan’s landmark PIA privatisation

    In June 2026, management control of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) passed to PIA Equity Limited, completing Pakistan's first major privatisation in nearly two decades. A consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation and including Lake City Holdings had won the December 2025 auction, with a PKR 135 billion bid se...


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  • A Vessel Renamed, Reflagged and Sold — and Still Arrested in Karachi

    A shipowner that sees an arrest coming has a familiar playbook. Sell the vessel to a fresh company, reflag it and give it a new name, all before the claimant can act. The Sindh High Court has now confirmed that those manoeuvres will not, by themselves, defeat an arrest, at least where the claimant can show the sale for the façade it is. Acting for the cargo owner, Orkun Group Zanzi...


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  • Shahmeer Naveed Arshad Joins RIAA Barker Gillette as Partner

    RIAA Barker Gillette is pleased to announce the appointment of Shahmeer Naveed Arshad as a Partner, based in the firm's Lahore office. The induction of Shahmeer Naveed Arshad strengthens the firm's national practice and marks another milestone in the growth of the Lahore office.

    What clients say...

    • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025

      "RIAA Barker Gillette has always had the most apt ability to handle, manage and steer complex and difficult matters in the right legal direction."

    • Legal 500 2025

      "We have worked with RIAA on a number of complex multi-jurisdictional matters. Throughout, they provided not only exceptional local advice but proved excellent at collaborating with firms across the world. They were instrumental in developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy."

    • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025

      "Our operation is complex and has many nuances, and they have helped us navigate all of them promptly and professionally."

    • Legal 500 2024

      "Very professional firm, able to provide clear, concise and constructive advice. Proven very astute in formulating overall strategies of engagement."

    • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024

      "RIAA is highly professional, meeting tight deadlines with the utmost proficiency. They have always come up with out-of-the-box solutions."

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