International law firm DLA Piper has appointed the former head of the legal department at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as a senior consultant.

The firm said that Stefano Marino would bring “an intimate knowledge” of EU pharmaceutical law, and familiarity with EU practice and procedures gained over 25 years with industry and nearly 11 years with the EMA.

His responsibilities at the EMA included providing legal advice to the agency’s management, overseeing the legal department, and providing support to colleagues on pharmaceutical law and regulatory matters.

He also supervised the EMA’s litigation strategy at the Court of Justice of the EU, and worked regularly with other agencies’ legal experts on data protection, insurance, and artificial intelligence.

Restrictions

DLA Piper states that the appointment is a continuation of its strategy to establish a “world-leading” EU life-sciences regulatory practice, headed by the firm’s Brussels office.

The firm noted that, as a former member of EMA’s senior management, Marino was subject to certain restrictions on the intended occupational activity for a two-year period after the end of his employment at EMA.

“DLA Piper will collaborate with EMA to ensure that those restrictions are fully observed in the interest of transparency,” it added.

Aoife Murphy (partner, DLA Piper, Ireland) described the appointment as “significant”, as Ireland was home to all but one of the world’s 25 largest biotech and pharma companies.

“The knowledge, prestige, and recognition that Stefano possesses in the European and international life-sciences market will undoubtedly enhance our ability to solve complex regulatory challenges for our clients,” she added.