Welcome to the intersection of law and life sciences. I’m Coen ten Thije Boonkkamp, and in this blog, we’ll explore how legal expertise can play a pivotal role in driving success for life science projects.

Picture this: You’re negotiating a contract for a groundbreaking therapy, with complex science and equally intricate legal details. Now imagine someone close to you is affected by the very disease this therapy targets—suddenly, the importance of getting every detail right becomes crystal clear.

Personal Note

I’ve experienced exactly that. It’s a moment that reinforced why I do what I do—and why you’re here, reading this blog.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked with a wide range of innovators:

• University medical centers striving to translate breakthroughs into treatments.

• Large pharmaceutical companies seeking to align commercial goals with regulatory demands.

• Small startups pushing the boundaries of research despite limited resources.

• Growing businesses integrating new therapies into mainstream healthcare.

They all share a passion for making the world a better place. Their dedication drives me to blend legal expertise with real-world pragmatism. That’s where this blog comes in: to serve as a resource that clarifies how legal intricacies can transform into catalysts for success.

A common challenge in life science projects is viewing legal support as an obstacle instead of an enabler. Researchers and innovators often anticipate delays when it comes to legal reviews or compliance checks. Given the complexities of life science research and the limited resources many legal teams have, these perceptions can appear justified.

Important

Legal departments in academic medical centers and private organizations work under tight deadlines and budgets. They juggle:

• Ensuring compliance with regulations

• Protecting intellectual property

• Facilitating collaborations

• Meeting time-sensitive research milestones

Yet the law needn’t be a hurdle. With the right approach, legal measures can safeguard your research’s integrity, open new avenues for collaboration, and provide stronger, clearer structures for your projects. In short, turning legal from a perceived bottleneck into a genuine driver of progress.

My goal here is to share insights, best practices, and experiences gained over my years as an independent legal counsel—both within Dutch university medical centers and partnerships spanning national, European, and global levels. By focusing on real-world scenarios, I aim to show how legal know-how can genuinely move scientific projects forward.

1. Collaborations and Services
   Supporting partnerships of all sizes and across various geographies, ensuring clear roles and responsibilities.

2. Grant Agreements and Consortium Contracts
   Crafting robust agreements that clarify funding, timelines, and intellectual property (IP) rights.

3. Niche Specializations
   Working on induced pluripotent stem cells, advanced therapy medicinal products, privacy, IP, and more.

4. State Aid Considerations
   Navigating EU State Aid regulations to keep research collaborations compliant.

5. Data and Material Transfers
   Coordinating data repositories, biobanking, and all aspects of Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) or Data Transfer Agreements (DTAs).

These areas highlight where law intersects with cutting-edge science—and where strong legal foundations can make all the difference.

In upcoming posts, I’ll take a deeper dive into:

1. Life Science Project Fundamentals
   Covering transparency, compliance, IP management, and effective dissemination strategies.

2. Advanced Topics for Project Success
   Exploring collaborative structures, funding approaches, and legal frameworks that foster innovation.

3. Niche Aspects with Big Impact
   Highlighting how to manage State Aid and procurement rules in ways that best serve your scientific goals.

Each post will focus on practical, actionable insights. Whether you’re dealing with a complex consortium agreement, setting up a new collaboration, or trying to protect sensitive data, I hope to provide perspectives that make legal support an indispensable asset.

This blog is not just about my experiences—it’s about starting a conversation. What challenges are you facing in your work at the intersection of law and life sciences? Are there specific legal issues or contract types you’d like to explore in more detail? Or do you have a success story about how effective legal counsel propelled your project forward?

Tip

Feel free to reach out on LinkedIn, connect on X/Twitter, or email me directly at coen@tenthijeboonkkamp.nl. Your insights will shape future topics and ensure this blog remains relevant to your needs.