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• William J. Curry
• Jeffrey E. Francis
• Kimberly B. Herman
• Paul C. Oakley

• Life Sciences Startups Face Several Financing Hurdles

Life Sciences

Even before a promising drug emerges from the laboratory or a breakthrough medical device from the factory floor, legal entanglements can undermine their potential. Who owns the intellectual property? How might the FDA consider our client's product? Are investors asking for too much? Is it time for a corporate partner? Our Life Sciences Group works with parties in all aspects of life sciences to ensure that ideas are guarded, companies well-financed, regulations understood and alliances thoroughly considered.

Lawyers in our Life Sciences Group represent public and private companies, healthcare institutions, universities, private equity investors and financial institutions. We provide counsel on raising capital through private equity, debt, government financing and public financing. We consider the fine points and the broader implications of collaborations, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions. We have also advised on legislative and environmental issues and are trusted advisors on general business matters such as corporate governance, taxes and labor.

Our lawyers are vigilant protectors of our clients' licensing rights and intellectual property. Our expertise — including due diligence of portfolios, opinions on patent quality and infringement questions, and litigation support and analysis — allows us to advise our business clients on areas that are crucial to their investment decisions. Our IP lawyers have substantial experience in matters relating to: medical devices; biotechnology, including developmental biology, immunology; molecular and cellular biology genetics, including protein and nucleic acid compositions and synthesis; diagnostics methods and kits; therapeutics; and drugs.

Industry Profile (PDF)

Representative Client Work

• Acted as general outside counsel to a publicly-traded life sciences company that develops nanoparticle technology for use in pharmaceutical compounds and as diagnostic agents
• Successfully defended a multimillion dollar breach of contract claim arising from the sale of a pharmaceutical and medical supply company, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client
• Advised a developer of neonatal and prenatal screening software in a dispute with a former employee concerning ownership of source code and other intellectual property
• Represented the world's preeminent manufacturer of pyrolitic carbon heart valves in an antitrust action by its former New England distributor, which after the successful disqualification of plaintiff's counsel, the matter was settled on favorable terms
• Represented a major manufacturer of spectroscopy detection equipment in a patent infringement action seeking $130 million in damages in the U.S. District Court