Malcolm Bates is a partner in Goodwin’s Technology and Life Sciences groups based in Cambridge and London. He specialises in the commercialisation of intellectual property rights with particular expertise in life sciences. Dr. Bates advises on transactions, including licences, collaborations, distribution, manufacturing, outsourcing and R&D projects, as well as regulatory matters, contract and patent disputes, fundraisings, M&A transactions and IPOs.
Prior to joining Goodwin, he was a partner and Head of Life Sciences at Taylor Wessing LLP for 16 years. Dr. Bates has a PhD in Molecular Biology from Imperial College, London. He was previously General Counsel and Vice President at Genset in Paris.
Experience
Dr. Bates is one of the most experienced specialist licensing practitioners in Europe, advising numerous companies and investors in relation to partnering transactions.
- Advised SynAffix and its selling shareholders on its sale to Lonza. Under the terms of the sale and purchase agreement, Lonza have paid Synaffix’s shareholders an upfront payment of €100 million, with the potential for shareholders to receive an additional payment of up to €60 million contingent on financial performance
- Advised MiNA Therapeutics Limited on entering into a Research and Collaboration Agreement with Eli Lilly and Company under which MiNA will utilize its platform technology for the discovery of novel small activating RNA compounds to identify compounds directed to up to five targets selected by Lilly.
- Advised Oxford Biomedica plc. on its new master Development and Supply Agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim for the manufacture and supply of various types of viral vectors.
- Advised SpyBiotech Limited on entering into a licence with Selexis SA under which SpyBiotech is granted rights to use certain cell banks of Selexis for the development, manufacture and commercialisation of SpyBiotech’s products.
- Advised MiNA Therapeutics Limited on its collaboration and license partnership with Les Laboratoires Servier, relating to the identification, development and commercialisation of small activating RNA (saRNA) therapies for the treatment of neurological disorders.
- Advised Avacta Group plc on entering into a license agreement with POINT Biopharma Inc., to provide access to Avacta’s proprietary pre|CISION™ technology for the development of tumour-activated radiopharmaceuticals.
Professional Activities
Dr. Bates serves as secretary to One Nucleus, a networking organisation for Life Sciences companies based in Cambridge, London and their surrounding regions.
Credentials
Admissions
Bars
- England and Wales
Recognition & Awards
Dr. Bates is featured in “IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners.”
Dr. Bates is recognized for excellence in The Best Lawyers (2025) for work in Intellectual Property and Life Sciences.
Dr. Bates is ranked in Band 1 for Intellectual Property and Life Sciences: Transactional by Chambers & Partners.
Dr. Bates is listed in The Legal 500’s Hall of Fame for Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare. He is also listed as a Leading Partner for Biotechnology.
Dr. Bates was recognized Managing IP as a 2021 IP Star for his excellence across a variety of transactional matters.
Client testimonials cite:
- “David Mardle and Malcolm Bates are exceptional partners. They have been following our business journey almost since inception and be part of our expanded team. They are both very knowledgeable, committed to helping the client and always available to prioritise work to get things over the line quickly.”
- “Malcolm Bates and his team consistently demonstrate their expertise and experience in the biotechnology sector.”
- "Malcolm provides really valuable insight. He is hugely experienced with both start-ups and large companies and is aware of sector norms."