Whether a client is developing, producing, or distributing new animal therapies, is in the business of providing consumer and nutritional products in the sector, or is providing related goods or services to the animal health or agribusiness space, our attorneys have the experience and know-how to help.
For decades Venable's animal health and agribusiness attorneys have advised and represented innovators, manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and vendors supporting a broad range of animal health and care products. These include vaccines and therapies, animal feed, dietary supplements, shampoos, and goods and services supporting companion animals and livestock producers, as well as the veterinarians who care for them.
Our clients in the animal health space include large publicly listed entities, as well as start-ups. We regularly represent companies operating in the animal health and agribusiness sector on regulatory matters, intellectual property (IP) matters, transactions, and litigation.
Regulatory
Our attorneys are advisors who are experienced with the uniquely complex and evolving regulations related to products designed for animal use. We help clients through the drug approval process, with deep experience in interpreting and applying the regulatory landscape, to move from lab to market in an efficient and effective manner.
With a focus in veterinary medicine, our team is highly experienced in engaging with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). We routinely draft and negotiate clinical trial agreements for animal drugs and biologics and advise animal health companies on cGMP issues related to commercial and clinical-stage animal drugs.
We guide manufacturers and marketers in regulatory matters as well—from product development and safety to regulatory licensing and registration, manufacturing, advertising and marketing review, claim substantiation, distribution, and beyond.
We know the regulators and have experience working with them on animal health matters, including the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) Veterinary Biologics Program, which regulates animal vaccines, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), among others.
Intellectual Property
To protect animal health innovators, we have a large intellectual property (IP) team focused on prosecuting patents and supporting the acquisition and maintenance of other intellectual property rights related to innovation as well, such as trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights. In addition, we have seasoned trial lawyers with the technical knowledge required to handle intricate IP matters of all types. Our team includes more than 100 patent prosecutors and litigators, many with advanced degrees, who have decades of experience in the subject matter underlying our clients' innovations.
Commercial Transactions
Recognizing that the animal health sector is built with and around intellectual property and regulatory frameworks, we leverage those offerings while bringing to bear our extensive commercial transactional capabilities in the sector. Venable's dealmakers have represented some of the largest veterinary pharmaceutical innovators, suppliers, and distributors, as well as start-ups. We also support third parties in business to support such entities. Transactions on which we have advised include strategic ventures and licensing deals, as well as various CMO, CRO, and similar outsourced arrangements. We also support our clients in their go-to-market efforts, including distribution, reseller, and sales representative transactions.
Corporate and Finance
We routinely support companies from start-ups to large corporations with all of their needs, from formation to mergers and acquisitions, financings, and IPO. Our experienced team of corporate attorneys working in the animal health sector also counsel on the influx of private equity investments and ongoing industry consolidation.
Litigation Services
Our team regularly represents clients in commercial lawsuits and consumer class actions, including breach of contract, business torts such as fraud and negligent misrepresentation, and matters related to pet food labeling and manufacturing. Venable also has one of the most active product liability and mass torts practices in the United States. Our litigators have served as lead counsel in federal multidistrict litigations (MDLs) and statewide coordinated proceedings in more than a dozen jurisdictions. We are particularly well known for our defense of pharmaceutical, vaccine, and consumer products manufacturers. Venable also has a proven track record of defending agribusiness clients in antitrust cases.