Over the past years, Slovenian businesses have increasingly turned their attention to the Western Balkans, identifying the region as a promising hub for investment and expansion. Ketler & Partners Partner Kevin Rihtar, Kavcic, Bracun & Partners Managing Partner Matej Kavcic, MP Law Partner Marko Prusnik, and Senica & Partners Managing Partner Katarina Kresal discuss key sectors of interest and examine the strategic advantages the Western Balkans offer to Slovenian enterprises.

Despite the strength of domestic law firms in Slovenia, not a great number of major local players have engaged in direct expansions across the region. Senica & Partners Managing Partner Uros Cop and Kavcic, Bracun & Partners Managing Partner Simon Bracun explore the reasons behind this trend, examine attempts at regional alliances, and identify recent developments that may incentivize firms to pursue regional expansion.

In the Inside Track, General Counsels across CEE share the nuances of their roles, challenges, and strategies for success. As summer is a time to unwind, we asked: With summer here, what is your one favorite yearly activity to disconnect and switch off?

As Pfizer’s Legal Director overseeing Greece, Cyprus, Malta, and Israel, Stathis Mihos explores EU health policy advancements and the complexities arising from the pandemic and examines how artificial intelligence is dynamically influencing lawyers’ work.

Overseeing diverse sectors across multiple countries, Petrol Group Director of Legal Affairs Mojca Logar discusses the challenges and strategies in managing the group’s legal affairs and navigating complex regulatory landscapes, while emphasizing internal legal expertise and collaborating with external firms for specialized projects and new legislation.

Greece’s vibrant life sciences sector is supported by a robust regulatory framework and expanding investment opportunities. In the following paragraphs, we will examine key aspects of product liability, intellectual property (IP), artificial intelligence (AI), and investment potential within the Greek life sciences landscape, highlighting the laws and regulations that shape the industry.

Following extensive discussions between industry stakeholders and state institutions, several crucial solutions have been identified to address the problems of drug availability and monitoring control. The primary aim is to ensure wider and faster access to medicinal products for patients in Latvia.

Digitization is affecting many sectors and healthcare is no exception. It is a key tool for speeding up and streamlining processes that can significantly improve the quality and availability of medical care. In the Czech Republic, the overall level of digitization in healthcare is still low.

It is not new that originator pharmaceutical companies try to block generic competitors from entering the market. Considering the recent developments in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), originators should tread carefully when defending their patents. Having a strong patent is crucial, and the consequences of failing to vet the strength of a patent could end up costly.

Healthcare is a fundamental component of any society, reflecting its core values and priorities. In Lithuania, the healthcare system is marked by a pronounced division between private and public hospitals. Lithuania’s healthcare services are divided into outpatient (ambulatory) and inpatient (stationary) services.

For the pharmaceutical industry in the Hungarian market, the first half of 2024 involved several legislative changes with significant practical implications. Some of these changes have yet to unfold their full impact, due to the lack of implementing regulations and prerequisite authority actions.

Despite the ongoing full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation, the life sciences and healthcare sector in Ukraine is actively evolving to support the well-being of its population.

In recent years, public concern about the roles of organizations in environmental issues has significantly increased. Governments, public institutions, and non-profits now demand that companies adopt environmentally friendly practices. Consumers are seeking “green” products and investors prefer companies that prioritize environmental care. This trend has led companies to adopt greenwashing strategies in marketing to attract eco-conscious consumers.

North Macedonia, as a European Union country candidate, progresses toward integrating with the European Union’s regulatory and economic systems. As these frameworks grow more complicated, the country is tasked with continuously aligning its local industry with European and global standards.

The topic of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has lately become an actual and increasingly important aspect in Moldovan law. Until recently scarcely regulated, the activity involving GMOs was subject to significant legal loopholes. This led to the inherent risk pertaining to GMOs being difficult to control, especially with agriculture playing an important role in the national economy.

On May 28, 2024, the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (Agency) took a significant step in regulating the healthcare industry by unveiling the draft Regulation on Promotional Activities of Medicinal Products for Human Use and Foods for Special Medical Purposes (Draft). This comprehensive Draft aims to address various aspects of promotional activities, ensuring that they are conducted in a manner that upholds scientific integrity and prioritizes patient safety.

It is unavoidable that the increasing population, traffic, industrialization, used wastes, etc. pollute nature and the environment. We, as human beings, should reduce environmental pollution for future generations. This is where alternative energy production comes into play.

The Data protection is an increasingly important issue in today’s digital world. The rapid development of information technologies has made it easier for state institutions and private sector organizations to access thousands of personal data daily. This situation has increased the processing and transfer of personal data and has led to the necessity of protection.