Goodwin Procter has hired four lawyers from Dechert, including a pair of City corporate partners, to launch a European life sciences practice.

The firm has hired London corporate partners Andrew Harrow and Graham Defries, alongside New York corporate partner Kristopher Brown and New York counsel Jonathan Schur.

With the additions of Harrow and Defries, Goodwin Europe chair David Evans said the firm now plans to "extend the reach" of its US life sciences practice into Europe.

He added: "Since the UK is the largest life sciences market in Europe, beginning our regional build-out in London was the natural next step."

Last year, Goodwin's London co-chairs spoke of their aims to build a City practice that better complemented the firm's strengths in the US, including the tech, life sciences and financial institutions groups.

Co-head Paul Lyons told Legal Week: "We've always had a desire, where sensible, to build out and emulate the practice areas we have in the US in London and Europe. Given the strength of our tech, life sciences and financial institutions groups in the US, it would be a bit daft of us to not work out what the opportunities are to leverage those in the European markets."

At the end of 2017, the firm hired corporate partner Markus Bauman from King & Spalding as a partner in its technology and life sciences practices.

Goodwin's gross revenue surged 13.2% to $1.032bn (£720m) in 2017, marking a record high for a firm. London office revenue for 2017 stood at $36.14m (£25m).

Dechert said: "We wish them all the best."