ABE & PARTNERS Named Life Science and Healthcare Law Firm of the Year in Japan at M&A Today Global Awards 2025

Legal

September 6, 2025

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5 min read

Innovative Legal Strategies, Global Expertise, Unmatched Precision

ABE & PARTNERS has been recognized as the recipient of the Life Science and Healthcare Law Firm of the Year in Japan at the M&A Today - Global Awards 2025. This award highlights the firm’s unparalleled expertise in guiding multinational and domestic clients through the ever-evolving landscape of life sciences, healthcare, and intellectual property law.

Setting the Benchmark for Complex Intellectual Property Litigation

With a unique combination of deep scientific knowledge and legal acumen, ABE & PARTNERS stands at the vanguard of intellectual property (IP) litigation and advisory services. The firm’s lawyers have developed a reputation for offering innovative, custom legal solutions that consistently exceed client expectations—a testament to their meticulous approach and commitment to legal innovation.

Among their notable successes, ABE & PARTNERS represented Baxalta in Japan's first-ever antibody patent infringement case, a landmark in the nation’s legal and scientific history. The case involved sophisticated arguments at the intersection of biotechnology and patent law and established new precedents for pharmaceutical litigation in Japan.

Pivotal Role in Japan’s Largest Pharmaceutical M&A

The firm’s profile rose further when its team provided critical IP due diligence for Shire during Takeda Pharmaceutical’s historic $62 billion acquisition. This transaction remains the largest M&A deal in the Japanese pharmaceutical industry, underscoring the scale and complexity the ABE & PARTNERS team routinely manages. Their detailed due diligence helped Shire successfully integrate Takeda’s newly-acquired intellectual property assets, demonstrating meticulous execution in cross-border and high-stakes transactions.

Expertise Across Advanced Sectors

ABE & PARTNERS’ team regularly addresses legal matters spanning pharmaceuticals, chemistry, biotechnology, electronics, semiconductors, and machinery. These cases, frequently with cross-border dimensions, demand not only mastery of Japanese and international law but also a solid grasp of technological trends and the science underlying their clients’ innovations.

The firm’s managing partner, Takanori Abe, brings distinguished credentials: he is currently a Guest Professor at Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine and has taught at the University of Tokyo. Mr. Abe is also active as an arbitrator and in various roles with Japanese medical and pharmaceutical societies—a testament to the firm’s blend of legal expertise and scientific insight.

Commitment to Clients and a Global Outlook

Built on values of precision, innovation, and relationship-building, ABE & PARTNERS serves a global clientele, including large Western pharmaceutical and life sciences companies. The firm’s network affiliations, such as with the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), International Trademark Association (INTA), and International Bar Association (IBA), further enhance its capacity to navigate international matters and cross-border legal disputes.

Clients—ranging from brand pharmaceutical giants to inventors at the forefront of biotechnology—consistently turn to ABE & PARTNERS for tailored, sophisticated strategic guidance in an increasingly complex regulatory climate.

Why This Award Matters

Winning the Life Science and Healthcare Law Firm of the Year in Japan underscores ABE & PARTNERS’ commitment to advancing legal standards and ethical practice across the industry. Their impressive record in IP litigation and M&A due diligence sets a benchmark for legal excellence in Japan and beyond.

“Navigating Complex Legal Challenges with Science, Strategy, and Integrity.”

For those operating at the intersection of life sciences, healthcare, and technology, ABE & PARTNERS offers a proven combination of technical depth and global perspective—an essential asset in today’s dynamic business environment.