We regularly represent emerging and established life sciences companies and investors in transactions critical to growth including venture financings, public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and licensing agreements and collaborations.

We represent both life sciences companies, investment banking firms and other investors in initial public offerings, follow-on public offerings, PIPE placements, cross-border offerings, Rule 144A transactions and other private placements and complex securities transactions. Our experience ranges from IPOs by emerging companies to private offerings of sophisticated debt instruments by established public companies. 

Mergers and acquisitions are prevalent in the life sciences sector because of the consolidating nature of the industry, and because of the importance of acquisitions as an exit strategy for biotechnology investors. We have significant experience in representing public and private clients in all types of M&A transactions, including stock-for-stock mergers, cash mergers, tender offers, acquisitions and dispositions of divisions, product lines and spin-offs. Our lawyers possess deep knowledge of structured transactions, including options transactions, and milestone-based life sciences deals.

For life sciences companies, licensing intellectual property and establishing strategic alliances are critical. WilmerHale's experienced licensing lawyers shepherd clients of all sizes through the complex transactions that make their businesses possible and efficiently broker material transfer agreements, manufacturing and supply agreements, clinical trial agreements, confidentiality agreements, and distribution agreements. We also frequently represent entrepreneurs as they license patents—the foundation of their companies—from leading academic institutions across the United States and Europe. Our team helps clients protect their innovations, forge strategic alliances and successfully navigate a complex, dynamic industry.

Our Life Sciences Practice includes corporate lawyers who have helped thousands of entrepreneurs successfully launch their businesses; raise billions in financing; and take their companies to sale, the public markets and/or through drug commercialization. We have a longstanding tradition of representing emerging companies and entrepreneurs across industries including life sciences innovators in therapeutics, diagnostics, devices and digital health, and routinely offer the strategic advice and sharp business perspectives that are critical to our clients' success. Learn about our startup practice at WilmerHaleLaunch.com.