Waterkant Legal is a boutique law practice dedicated exclusively to the life sciences and healthcare sector, providing strategic and operational legal support to founders, startups, clinical research organizations (CROs), established healthcare businesses and in-house legal teams. Whether acting as an outsourced legal function or providing additional legal capacity to existing legal departments, Waterkant Legal delivers practical, senior-level legal support where it creates the greatest value.
From company formation and early-stage growth to strategic collaborations, commercialization and day-to-day legal operations, Waterkant Legal supports organizations throughout every stage of their development.
Rather than focusing on isolated legal disciplines, Waterkant Legal provides integrated legal support tailored to the realities of regulated and innovation-driven businesses. Advice spans corporate, commercial, intellectual property, regulatory and governance matters, combining legal expertise with a practical understanding of how life sciences businesses operate and grow.
A particular focus is placed on embedded and on-demand corporate counsel services. Whether supporting companies without an internal legal function or strengthening existing legal departments during periods of increased workload, strategic projects or temporary resource constraints, Waterkant Legal integrates seamlessly with management, operational teams and in-house counsel to provide experienced legal support exactly when it is needed.
The advisory approach combines experience gained in leading international legal practice with years of operational in-house experience in the life sciences industry. The result is legal advice that is commercially pragmatic, operationally relevant and designed to support innovation, growth and informed business decisions.
Who We Support
Founders & Startups
Legal support from formation through scale-up.
Biotech & Life Sciences Companies
Strategic legal advice for innovative and regulated businesses.
CROs & Research Organizations
Operational and commercial legal support for clinical and research environments.
Healthcare & MedTech Companies
Legal guidance for organizations operating in complex regulatory frameworks.
Areas of Support
Corporate & Growth
Company formation, shareholder structures, financing support, governance and scaling-related legal matters.
Commercial & Operational
Commercial agreements, research collaborations, licensing, supplier and operational frameworks.
Regulatory & Market Access
Support in regulated business environments, healthcare-related compliance and strategic regulatory considerations.
Intellectual Property & Innovation
IP-related agreements, innovation strategy support and coordination with specialized patent counsel where required.
Embedded & On-Demand Legal Counsel
Embedded legal support for companies without an in-house legal function, as well as established legal teams requiring additional senior legal capacity for strategic projects, peak workloads, temporary resource gaps or day-to-day legal operations.
Why Waterkant Legal?
Sector Focus
- Exclusive focus on life sciences, biotech, medtech and healthcare.
In-House Perspective
- Experience from both international law firms and in-house legal functions in regulated industries.
Integrated Advisory
- Connected advice across commercial, operational and regulatory matters.
Pragmatic Approach
- Business-oriented legal solutions designed for operational reality — not theoretical perfection.
Flexible Support Models
- Scalable legal support tailored to the needs and growth stage of each organization.
Dr. Nikolaus Rafael Marek
Attorney-at-law and in-house counsel focused on life sciences and healthcare
Nikolaus combines experience from international legal practice with hands-on in-house work in the biotech sector. His advisory work focuses on supporting innovative businesses operating in regulated environments, particularly at the intersection of legal strategy, commercial operations and regulatory complexity.
He regularly advises founders, startups, CROs and established healthcare organizations on operational legal matters, commercial frameworks and long-term legal structures supporting sustainable growth.
Legal Support Built Around Innovative Businesses
Modern life sciences and healthcare companies require legal support that combines sector understanding, commercial awareness and operational responsiveness.
Waterkant Legal provides flexible legal counsel tailored to the realities of regulated and innovation-driven businesses.
Client Success Stories
Helping Biotech Startups Thrive
“Dr. Marek’s insights and guidance were instrumental in navigating the complexities of our startup’s formation and initial funding rounds. His understanding of both the legal and commercial aspects of the biotech industry gave us confidence on our journey forward.” – Client Testimonial
Trusted Legal Partner for Startups
“Working with Waterkant Legal has been a game-changer for our startup. From incorporation to navigating complex agreements, the legal guidance has been clear, strategic, and always tailored to our needs. Having a trusted legal partner who truly understands the challenges of startups – especially in biotech – gives us the peace of mind to focus on growth. Highly recommended!” – Client Testimonial
Get in touch!
