THE AUTHOR:
Milan Chamber of Arbitration (“CAM Milan”)
On 27 November, the CAM (Milan Chamber of Arbitration) hosted its 16th Annual Conference, gathering approximately 140 arbitration practitioners, legal experts and technical specialists to discuss the growing role of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”) in the life sciences sector.
The discussions unfolded against the backdrop of a rapidly expanding industry. The global pharmaceutical market alone is now valued at over USD 1.7 trillion. Italy ranks seventh worldwide and accounts for around 3% of global turnover, confirming its strategic role in a highly innovative and internationalised sector.
In his opening remarks, CAM Director General Stefano Azzali highlighted the steady increase in both domestic and international arbitrations, a trend reinforced by recent reforms to Italian arbitration law. He emphasised that the complexity of life sciences disputes makes arbitration an increasingly attractive forum for their resolution.
Martina Lucenti, Partner at Portolano Cavallo and Chair of the conference, described the programme as a journey through the “galaxy of life sciences disputes”, noting that scientific, technological, and regulatory complexity is inevitably reflected in the nature of disputes arising in the sector.
The opening panel explored the drivers behind the increasing corporate preference for arbitration. Andrea Ferrari, Chief Integrity Officer & Global Head of Corporate Legal at Sandoz, stressed that continuity of supply to patients and predictability are key priorities for pharmaceutical companies. Arbitration and ADR, he noted, are effective tools to manage risk while preserving commercial relationships. Henry Stewart, Partner at Cooley, added that confidentiality, flexibility, and speed – including the growing use of expedited proceedings – make arbitration particularly appealing compared to court litigation.
The second panel addressed arbitrability and new European regulatory frameworks. Janine Reudt-Demont, Partner at Niederer Kraft Frey, examined product liability in light of the forthcoming EU Directive, which extends the definition of “product” to digital systems and AI. Simon Dack, Barrister and member of the PMAC Expert Commission, highlighted the increasing relevance of arbitration in European patent disputes, particularly following the establishment of a mediation and arbitration centre within the Unified Patent Court.
In the afternoon session, Stefano De Donno, CEO of MicroPort Scientific, confirmed that mediation is especially effective in disputes involving patients, while arbitration remains a cost-efficient solution for B2B disputes, typically delivering decisions in significantly shorter timeframes than court proceedings.
The final panel focused on the need for sector-specific expertise. Arbitrators, counsel and experts agreed that life sciences disputes require decision-makers and technical experts capable of understanding complex scientific and regulatory issues and translating them into robust liability and damages assessments.
At the close of the conference, CAM presented the results of a survey conducted among participants. An overwhelming majority (97%) confirmed the usefulness of ADR in the life sciences sector. Respondents identified specialised arbitrator panels, access to independent technical experts and high standards of confidentiality and cybersecurity as key priorities for arbitration institutions.
In response, CAM announced the establishment of a dedicated Life Sciences Task Force, aimed at assessing sector-specific needs and developing tailored arbitration and ADR tools for one of the most complex and fast-growing industries worldwide.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Milan Chamber of Arbitration (“CAM“) is one of Europe’s leading arbitration institutions, offering efficient and innovative dispute resolution services. Established by the Milan Chamber of Commerce, CAM provides a full range of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) solutions, including arbitration, mediation, and dispute boards, ensuring effective resolution of commercial disputes at both national and international levels.
With a strong reputation for excellence, CAM administers cases under its Arbitration Rules, designed to promote efficiency, flexibility, and transparency. The institution also supports businesses and practitioners through specialized training, thought leadership, and publications on arbitration and ADR.
CAM is also actively engaged in the organization of training events, conferences, and workshops aimed at fostering dialogue and knowledge-sharing among arbitration professionals, academics, and businesses.
Committed to innovation, CAM integrates digital tools for case management, including online mediation and remote hearings, making arbitration more accessible and adaptable to modern business needs.
*The views and opinions expressed by authors are theirs and do not necessarily reflect those of their organizations, employers, or Daily Jus, Jus Mundi, or Jus Connect.
