Getting the structure right early determines how easily a company can raise capital, hold its intellectual property, and scale. We advise on:

• Business structure and entity planning
• Corporate governance and operational guidance
• Tax planning and human resources considerations tied to entity choice
• Intellectual property ownership and holding structures

Capital is the constraint for most life sciences companies. We represent both companies and their investors — angel, venture, and private equity — in structuring and negotiating the financings that fund research and commercialization:

• Debt and equity financing
• Angel, venture capital, and private equity transactions
• Tax planning strategies
• Research and development tax credit planning
• Investment structuring for emerging and established companies

We handle the significant transactions that move a life sciences business forward — from acquisitions to collaborations and development partnerships:

• Structuring, negotiating, and documenting mergers and acquisitions
• Due diligence reviews in connection with transactions
• Strategic alliances and joint ventures, including development joint ventures
• Transaction documents and related business contracts

We draft and negotiate the agreements that support daily operations, product development, and commercialization:

• Development agreements
• Licensing and distribution agreements
• End-user and software distribution agreements
• Work-for-hire agreements
• Agreements involving technology and intellectual property rights

Recruiting and retaining scientific and executive talent is central to a life sciences company’s value. We handle the compensation, equity, and protective agreements that support it:

• Executive compensation plans
• Incentive and restricted stock plans, and stock options
• Retirement plans
• Hiring, employment, and separation agreements
• Confidentiality, inventions, and noncompetition agreements

For life sciences companies, intellectual property often drives company value, financing, and growth. We help clients establish, protect, and commercialize the rights that matter most to their business:

• Establishing and protecting trademark, copyright, and trade secret rights
• Patent-related strategy and protection
• Licensing of technology and intellectual property rights
• Research and licensing arrangements, including with universities and institutions
• Development and commercialization of intellectual property through business ventures

Life sciences and technology-driven companies increasingly depend on software, digital, and e-commerce arrangements. We advise on the agreements and strategies behind them:

• Technology development agreements
• End-user and software distribution agreements
• Internet and e-commerce strategies
• Digital business arrangements

When disputes threaten a client’s interests, we provide litigation counsel focused on protecting company operations and value:

• Business and transaction-related disputes
• Intellectual property disputes
• Enforcement of licensing and joint venture arrangements