Life sciences expansion: Heuking strengthens healthcare practice with Taylor Wessing trio

The Munich-based commercial law firm acquires three equity partners and associates for strategic expansion in the pharma and biotech segment.

Strategic diversity and expertise initiative

Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek is expanding its Munich life sciences capacities at the beginning of 2026 with the appointment of Dr. Manja Epping, Dr. Stefanie Greifeneder and Dr. Sonja Ackermann as equity partners. The team of experts joins several associates from Taylor Wessing and addresses both technical specialization and diversity goals. According to the AllBright Foundation Report, Heuking's proportion of female partners was only 15.2 percent as of April 1, 2025 - just below the average of the 20 law firms with the highest turnover. The triple acquisition could significantly improve this ratio.

Expansion of sectoral consulting capacities

Managing Partner Boris Dürr explains the strategic objective: "This will enable us to offer our clients additional advisory expertise in these areas and also provide even more specialized advice on M&A transactions and VC financing in the life sciences sector." The acquisition is aimed at expanding pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device advice and positions Heuking more competitively in this fast-growing segment.

Expertise profiles of the new partners

Dr. Manja Epping brings over 15 years of Taylor Wessing partner experience and focuses on regulatory issues, clinical trials as well as drug and medical device approvals. Her specialization includes industry-specific licensing agreements, R&D collaborations and regulatory M&A advice. In addition, she has litigation expertise at the interface between regulatory and intellectual property law.

Dr. Stefanie Greifeneder joined Taylor Wessing in 2023 from Fieldfisher and complements similar regulatory expertise with spin-off and start-up specialization in biotech and medtech sectors.

Dr. Sonja Ackermann, with Taylor Wessing since 2011 and Salary Partner for over nine years, advises life sciences companies on contract manufacturing, purchasing and sales agreements as well as distribution systems. Her transactional expertise includes general terms and conditions, eCommerce and commercial agency structures. She also focuses on mobility services and leasing consulting in the B2B and B2C sectors.

Market positioning in the healthcare segment

The team transfer reflects the growing importance of specialized life sciences advice and strengthens Heuking's position in this regulatory complex market. The combination of M&A, VC and regulatory expertise enables comprehensive client support in one of the most dynamic areas of law.