Healthcare & Life Sciences

At MFMac, we bring deep sectoral insight to support the innovation, growth and resilience of Scotland’s healthcare and life sciences ecosystem. Recognised as a Tier 1 team by Legal 500 and ranked Band 2 by Chambers and Partners, our cross-disciplinary legal team advises clients across the public and private sectors – from NHS Boards and biotech start-ups to care providers, med-tech innovators and private healthcare organisations.

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Who We Work With
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Navigating complexity

At MFMac, we provide strategic legal guidance to healthcare and life sciences organisations operating in a complex and fast-evolving regulatory landscape. Our cross-disciplinary team supports clients from early-stage research through to commercialisation, helping them manage risk, ensure compliance and scale with confidence.

Our healthcare lawyers advise on regulatory matters, quality assurance and data governance and we structure R&D agreements including sponsorships, collaborations, MTAs and CDAs. Our expertise also covers clinical trial agreements, commercial contracts – such as licensing, distribution, consultancy, supply and manufacturing – and CRO arrangements. In addition, we help clients protect and maximise their intellectual property.

Lauren Hart033
Lauren E Hart Partner and Sector co-lead
What truly sets the individuals at MFMac apart is their ability to combine deep technical knowledge with a responsive, client-focused mindset and exceptional coordination.

LEGAL 500

What makes MFMac's IP practice unique is its ability to seamlessly blend legal acumen with practical business insights. The team excels in navigating complex IP issues, providing strategic advice that not only addresses immediate concerns but also aligns with clients' long-term objectives.

LEGAL 500

What truly sets the individuals at MFMac apart is their ability to combine deep technical knowledge with a responsive, client-focused mindset and exceptional coordination. They are not only legal experts but also trusted advisors who invest the time to fully understand our business needs and deliver tailored, practical solutions.

LEGAL 500

The firm has a real focus on listening to the customer and meeting their needs and expectations.

Chambers and Partners

Partners are personally involved, solution-focused and skilled at representing clients. They demonstrate excellent commerciality and deliver excellent outcomes in complex transactions.

Chambers and Partners

High integrity and deep sector knowledge defines MFMac work.

Chambers and Partners

Nothing is too much trouble and they always respond in a timely manner.

Chambers and Partners

Their strength is the personal approach from the local team, even though they are a large organisation. They have a strong grasp of the subject matter and the ability to explain in layman's terms.

Chambers and Partners

They have an excellent understanding of our business and markets, which allows for a more effective application of their legal expertise and services.

Chambers and Partners

Their approach of dedicated, capable partners with excellent market knowledge of our business is fantastic.

Chambers and Partners

Excellent and practical procurement advice and guidance is provided by the team.

Chambers and Partners

The team has excellent awareness of all the important aspects of a matter from knowledge of the courts, the law and the members of the Bar.

Chambers and Partners

MFMac is an efficient firm that is knowledgeable on the topics and quick to understand.

Chambers and Partners

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Driving innovation and expansion through commercial legal solutions

At MFMac, we help healthcare and life sciences businesses scale with confidence.

Our commercially focused legal support will help power your growth through all the phases and stages – whether that is around strategic structuring, supply chain management, attracting investment or planning expansion. From mergers and acquisitions to joint ventures and capital fundraising, we deliver pragmatic legal solutions that drive innovation, unlock investment and support ambition.

Headshot of Stewart Moy, Legal Director in MFMac's Corporate Finance team
Stewart Moy Legal Director and Sector co-lead

Our capabilities

MFMac advises clients across the healthcare and life sciences sector (including care providers, bioTech, medtech, digital health and patient technologies and data and AI-driven life sciences) on commercial, regulatory and transactional matters. Our sector-focused team delivers practical legal solutions that support innovation and growth.

  • MedTech, Biotech, Digital Health & AI

    MFMac is your trusted legal partner across medtech, biotech, digital health and patient technologies and life sciences driven by data and AI. We deliver expert support in compliance, intellectual property, corporate structuring, data ownership & licensing, data protection, commercial contracts and dispute resolution – ensuring your innovations are protected, compliant and ready to scale.

    We work closely with digital health pioneers to navigate AI regulation and data rights, platform compliance and IP strategy, while supporting commercial readiness through tailored contracting. Our integrated approach spans the full innovation ecosystem – helping clients in medtech, biotech, and digital health bring transformative technologies to market with confidence.

    With deep sector insight and a practical, solutions-focused approach, we help innovators move faster while managing risk.

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  • Private Healthcare

    At MFMac, we partner with owners and senior decision-makers across dental practices, pharmacies, care homes and medical aesthetics to deliver legal solutions that drive growth and ensure compliance.

    We advise on mergers, acquisitions and private equity transactions, helping healthcare businesses expand while meeting care standards, licensing obligations and health and safety regulations. Our integrated employment and immigration services support workforce strategy, ensuring teams are built and managed effectively.

    From property acquisition to the development of care facilities, our Real Estate team provides end-to-end guidance tailored to the unique needs of healthcare operators. Whether you're scaling a single site or managing a multi-location portfolio, MFMac brings sector insight and legal precision to every step.

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Healthcare & Life Sciences Insights

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Immigration

Earned settlement: what care businesses need to know

The Home Office has announced its approach to earned settlement, also known as indefinite leave to remain (ILR). The reforms offer protection for some existing care workers, but others may face longer routes to settlement and additional visa costs. Implementation is planned during 2027, but detailed Immigration Rules and guidance are still awaited, as well as the official timeline.

Find out more
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Healthcare & Lifesciences

MFMac advises on acquisition of Pilrig Dental Practice

MFMac advised Pilrig Dental Practice Ltd on the acquisition of Pilrig Dental Practice, providing legal support across corporate, real estate, employment and pensions matters. The transaction completed successfully on 28 August 2026, enabling the client to acquire a well-established dental practice and support its continued growth.

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Healthcare & Lifesciences

Collaboration Agreements in Life Sciences: Key Issues to Get Right

This article highlights the key legal and commercial issues life sciences organisations should address when entering collaboration agreements, including IP, data sharing, regulatory compliance, funding, liability and termination. Getting these fundamentals right helps partners work together effectively and maximise the chances of successful innovation and commercialisation.

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Technology

Glasgow Tech Week 2026: Wearables and real-time monitoring – who owns the risk?

Using wearable health technology as a practical case study, MFMac's Glasgow Tech Week event on Innovation, Regulation and Real Time Health Monitoring will examine how data protection, cyber security and product liability risks shape innovation across the product lifecycle.

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Your legal toolkit

MFMac advises healthcare and life sciences clients on IP, IT, immigration and regulatory compliance – supporting innovation, protecting assets and navigating complex legal frameworks.

  • Intellectual Property

    MFMac supports healthcare and life sciences clients in protecting and commercialising innovation through full-lifecycle IP advice. We guide clients from early-stage development through to market entry and beyond, advising on ownership, licensing and collaboration – particularly in biotech, medtech and digital health.

    Our approach integrates IP strategy with data protection, regulatory compliance and commercial contracting to ensure innovations are not only protected, but positioned for long-term success. 

  • Investments, Mergers & Acquisitions

    MFMac advises private healthcare and life sciences companies on investment and M&A, guiding them through acquisitions, disposals and growth with a focus on legal, regulatory and IP considerations. We ensure transactions are efficient, secure and aligned with commercial goals.

    We also help businesses prepare for investment – structuring for scale, protecting digital assets and ensuring compliance with UK GDPR and sector standards – so they can grow or exit with confidence.

  • Employment & Immigration

    MFMac helps healthcare and life sciences employers recruit and retain international talent through combined immigration and employment law expertise. We manage sponsor licences, skilled worker visas and Home Office compliance, while advising on contracts, HR policies and workforce planning.

    Our joined-up approach ensures smooth, compliant hiring processes that meet the sector’s evolving workforce demands – supporting care providers, GP practices and life sciences employers alike.

  • Regulatory Compliance & Information Governance

    MFMac supports digital transformation and AI in healthcare and life sciences by embedding information governance and IT legal strategy into every initiative. We advise on digital platforms, cloud infrastructure and emerging technologies – ensuring systems are secure, scalable and aligned with operational goals.

    We help clients manage data responsibly, comply with UK GDPR and sector standards and bring trusted, compliant digital solutions to market.

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R&D Tax credits

Fuel innovation with R&D tax credits

R&D tax incentives can reduce your tax bill and free up funds for innovation. Whether you're developing tech, improving services, or exploring new ideas, these reliefs support growth.

We can help you explore how R&D tax credits fit into your wider strategy and connect you with trusted specialists to align opportunities with commercial goals.

Your trusted partners in Healthcare & Life Sciences

Our dedicated team of legal experts brings deep sector insight and proven experience to support healthcare and life sciences leaders in navigating complex regulations, protecting innovation and accelerating growth.

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    Lauren E Hart

    Partner

    Lauren E Hart is a Partner in MFMac’s Banking and Finance team, with a strong focus on advising international healthcare and life sciences companies on complex, large‑scale financing transactions. Lauren is also regularly instructed by mainstream lenders on care home and acquisition finance transactions within the sector.

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    Stewart Moy

    Legal Director

    Stewart is a healthcare legal specialist advising NHS, private and life sciences clients on compliance, strategy, M&A and risk.

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    Mark Quinn

    Partner

    Mark advises healthcare and life sciences clients on complex property matters – from site acquisitions and lease management to development deals and finance transactions.

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    Julie Hamilton

    Partner

    Julie helps healthcare and life sciences organisations resolve complex disputes with clarity and confidence.

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    David Wylie

    Partner

    David supports deals across NHS, care and health tech, helping clients navigate regulation while achieving commercial goals.

  • Headshot of Ainsley Maclaren, Specialist Tax Lawyer & Partner at MFMac

    Ainsley Maclaren

    Partner

    Ainsley advises innovative businesses on structuring, compliance and strategic use of R&D tax credits to support growth and investment.

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    David Gourlay

    Partner

    David specialises in corporate and commercial law, with a strong focus on digital health innovation and regulatory strategy.

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    Lindsey Cartwright

    Partner

    Lindsey is a legal expert specialising in employment law with a strong focus on the healthcare and life sciences sectors.

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    Melissa Hall

    Legal Director

    Mel advises healthcare, life sciences and third sector clients on data protection, IP and commercial and IT contracts.

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    Victoria McMurray

    Legal Director

    As a core member of MFMac’s Healthcare team, Victoria specialises in dental and pharmacy deals, guiding clients through complex transactions with deep sector insight.

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Cross border and international services

Local insight, global impact

Scotland’s healthcare and life sciences sector is globally connected – and so is MFMac. Through networks like Advoc, Interlaw, ABA and EuroITCounsel, we help medtech and life sciences businesses scale internationally, navigate cross-border regulation and commercialise innovation. From compliance to global licensing, our legal team ensures confident market entry.

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From our offices we serve the whole of Scotland, as well as clients around the world with interests in Scotland. Please complete the form below, and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.

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