Allen & Overy has strengthened its international IP practice in China with the addition of partner David Shen, who has been general counsel at biopharmaceutical drug giant AstraZeneca since 2011.

A lawyer with a Ph.D in Chemistry, Shen is expected to lead the firm’s China IP and life sciences division. He has a wide experience in patents and patent litigation, and his expertise covers the life sciences sector with respect to regulatory and compliance.

He has also worked for Eli Lilly, Bayer Corporation and Knoble & Yoshida.

In December, A&O appointed PE and funds specialist Wayne Lee as a partner in Shanghai from Shearman & Sterling.