From lab bench to market, complex risk follows every breakthrough.
Coverage for biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device, and research companies
Life sciences companies — biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostics, and research organizations — carry some of the most complex risk profiles in the economy. Exposures span product development, clinical trials, manufacturing, intellectual property, and the professional judgment behind every result. A single trial injury, product defect, or funding dispute can threaten years of research and investment.
Because these risks cut across product liability, professional liability, and management liability, life sciences insurance can't be assembled from a generic template. It has to reflect where the company sits in its lifecycle — from an early-stage, venture-backed startup to a commercial-stage manufacturer.
What Life Sciences Insurance Covers
A well-built program typically coordinates:
Products & Completed Operations Liability — injury or damage alleged from a device, drug, or diagnostic.
Clinical Trial Liability — injury to human research subjects, often required by protocol and by law.
Professional Liability & Technology E&O — errors in research, testing, data, or software-driven products.
Directors & Officers (D&O) — protection for boards and executives, critical for venture-funded companies.
Product Recall — the cost to withdraw a defective or contaminated product from the market.
Property, Cargo & Equipment — labs, specialized instruments, and temperature-sensitive shipments.
Cyber Liability — research data, patient information, and connected medical devices.
Key Exposures in This Class
Life sciences accounts are shaped by:
Clinical trials — domestic and foreign — and informed-consent requirements.
Regulatory approval and post-market surveillance under the FDA.
Intellectual property, patent, and licensing disputes.
Investor and governance risk for funded startups.
Contract manufacturing and supply-chain dependencies.
Combination products and software that functions as a medical device.
Who Needs It
This coverage is built for:
Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
Medical device and diagnostics manufacturers
Contract research (CRO) and contract manufacturing (CMO) organizations
Research laboratories and university spinouts
Digital health and health-technology companies
Venture-backed life sciences startups
Our Approach
At Cory Washington & Co., we structure life sciences programs around your lifecycle stage, your pipeline, and your contracts — coordinating product, professional, and management liability so protection matches real exposure rather than a checklist. Licensed in all 50 states, we access specialty and excess & surplus markets built for emerging and complex life sciences risk, and explain every trade-off clearly so you can decide with confidence.
Related coverage: Product Liability · Directors & Officers · Cyber.
All insurance descriptions on this website are provided by Cory Washington & Co. LLC strictly for general informational purposes. They are not intended to be, and should not be relied upon as, legal, financial, or insurance advice. The information presented is general in nature and does not guarantee the availability, terms, conditions, or scope of any insurance coverage. Actual coverage is determined solely by the specific policy language issued by the insurer and remains subject to underwriting approval. Nothing on this website creates or implies an agent-client relationship, binds coverage, or alters any existing policy. Cory Washington & Co. LLC expressly disclaims any liability for actions taken, or not taken, based on the content provided here. For advice regarding your particular situation, please consult directly with a licensed insurance professional at Cory Washington & Co. LLC or another qualified insurance professional, and always review your policy documents in full.
Download the fillable Life Sciences Supplemental to start your submission, or browse all applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get life sciences business insurance through Cory Washington & Co.?
Request a quote or contact our team. We start with a short conversation about your operations, analyze your exposures, then negotiate life sciences business insurance across multiple carriers that compete for your account and present options with the trade-offs explained. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
How are life sciences business insurance premiums priced?
There is no flat rate. The cost of life sciences business insurance reflects your industry, your size (payroll and revenue), your claims history, and the limits and deductibles you choose. We market your account to multiple carriers, compare the real quotes side by side, and explain what is driving each number so you can weigh coverage against price with confidence.
Is life sciences business insurance mandatory?
Whether life sciences business insurance is strictly required depends on your state, your contracts, and your lenders or clients. Even where it is not mandatory, going without it can leave serious financial gaps. We assess your exposure and any contractual requirements, then structure coverage that meets both.
What if another agency has already declined or non-renewed my coverage?
Difficult, specialty, and previously-declined placements are a core part of our work. We access excess & surplus (E&S) and specialty markets that many generalist agencies cannot, and we explain the trade-offs clearly so you can decide with confidence.
Available in all 50 states. See how requirements differ in California, Texas, Florida, New York, or choose your state.