Commercial Contracts & Transactions
Drafting, negotiating and implementing commercial agreements, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, supply and distribution arrangements and cross-border transactions.
Commercial contracts in Cape Town →
Commercial law · Clinical research · Healthcare · Life sciences
Commercial law for healthcare, life sciences and regulated industries
JW van Zyl Inc is a transactional commercial law practice advising healthcare, life sciences and regulated businesses on contracts, governance, regulatory matters and transactions.
Our legal work is informed by direct experience gained inside global clinical research and healthcare organisations, alongside legal practice.
Focus areas
- 01Commercial contracting
- 02Corporate governance
- 03Regulatory & compliance
- 04Clinical research & healthcare
- 05Due diligence & transactions
Our services
Commercial counsel for regulated businesses
Advisory, transactional and regulatory work - led by a senior lawyer who understands both the legal framework and the commercial realities our clients operate in.
Scope of practice
The practice focuses on advisory, transactional and regulatory work. Litigation and specialist advocacy matters are undertaken in association with experienced Counsel and specialist practitioners where appropriate.
Due diligence & risk assessment
Successful transactions are built on informed decisions
We conduct structured legal due diligence across corporate, commercial, financial and operational documentation to identify risks before commitments are made.
Typical reviews include corporate records, shareholder agreements, commercial contracts, financing arrangements, regulatory approvals and compliance records.
Reserved legal work
Work that must be done by a law firm
A non-lawyer consultant can help a company understand a market. A law firm can do the things that carry legal consequences - and that an admitted attorney is required to do.
About the founder
Johan Wilhelm van Zyl
Founder & Principal
·Admitted Attorney, High Court of South Africa
·Based in Cape Town, South Africa
·Law, healthcare and governance
·Firm established in 2025
Sector experience
Experience gained through legal, commercial and clinical research roles supporting pharmaceutical sponsors, CROs, healthcare organisations and regulated businesses.
His professional background spans law, healthcare, life sciences, governance and commercial transactions across South Africa and international markets.
Prior to establishing JW van Zyl Inc, Wilhelm worked within multinational healthcare and clinical research environments, supporting commercial contracting, study start-up activities, regulatory compliance, operational governance and cross-border business initiatives. This experience provided direct exposure to complex transactions, regulated operating environments and large-scale stakeholder engagement.
Today, he advises businesses, investors, non-profit organisations and development programmes on transactions, governance, due diligence, regulatory matters and strategic commercial projects. His practice focuses on helping organisations structure transactions, manage risk, strengthen governance frameworks and navigate complex legal and regulatory environments.
Wilhelm is an admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa. His approach combines legal expertise with practical commercial insight, enabling clients to move from opportunity to execution with confidence. Based in Cape Town, he advises clients across South Africa and selected African markets.
Experience gained at organisations including
IQVIA
ICON
FHI 360
Reflects the founder's prior professional experience. Organisation names are used for identification only and do not imply any current relationship, partnership or endorsement.
Why JW van Zyl Inc
We understand how regulated businesses actually operate - not just what the law says
Professional standards & regulatory bodies
Listed for informational purposes only; inclusion does not imply endorsement or partnership.
✓Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
✓Legal Practice Council (LPC)lpc.org.za
✓Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fundfidfund.co.za
✓South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)sahpra.org.za
✓Attorney Trust Account held with a registered South African bank
Execute with confidence
From opportunity to execution
Whether you are acquiring a business, raising capital, negotiating a strategic transaction, implementing an ESG initiative or managing a donor-funded programme, JW van Zyl Inc provides the legal and transactional support required to move from opportunity to execution.
Discuss a transaction
Send a short note about your matter and we will respond directly.
Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.