With over 25 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry, first at Merck Canada then as General Counsel and Senior Executive for Sanofi Canada, Robert Quesnel advises clients on matters primarily related to the Life Sciences and Intellectual Property sectors.
Robert is recognized for his expertise in managing complex, multi-jurisdictional product liability class action litigations, as well as high profile patent litigations including: Zantac®, Vioxx®, Altace®, Allerject®, Aubagio®, Taxotere®, Vasotec®, Zocor®, Fosamax®, Singulair®, Mevacor® Sepramesh®, and opioids.
Robert regularly provides strategic advice on regulatory & policy matters such as pricing and reimbursement. This includes the pharmaceutical industry association challenge, before the Federal Court of Canada, of pricing reforms introduced by the Patented Medicines Price Review Board (PMPRB).
He is experienced in Crisis Management leading teams through COVID-19 restrictions as well as Product Recalls while maintaining business continuity and ensuring safety.
Additionally, Robert counsels on major commercial transactions including, Mergers & Acquisitions, Licensing, Joint Venture Partnerships and Capital Investment Funding including the largest single capital investment by a pharmaceutical company in Canada.
For over 10 years, Robert led the Legal & Intellectual Property Committee at Innovative Medicines Canada, the Canadian pharmaceutical industry association. During that time, he assumed a leadership role on behalf of the industry to advocate for strengthened IP rights in the context of the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement. The resulting enhanced IP legislation, secured a more predictable business environment, and fostered a favourable investment climate.
Robert was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 40 Corporate Counsel Under 40 by LEXPERT. Additionally, he was nominated for the ZSA General Counsel of the Year Award in 2014 and 2021. In 2022, he received the Excellence in Leadership Award from Innovative Medicines Canada. In 2023, he was nominated for the National-Post | ZSA General Counsel Lifetime Achievement Award.
