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9.12.25
Wilson Sonsini Advises Avidity Biosciences on Patent Matters Related to $600 Million Upsized Public Offering
On September 12, 2025, Avidity Biosciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company committed to delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics called Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™), announced the pricing of its upsized underwritten public offering of 15,000,000 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $40.00 per share. All of the shares to be sold in the offering are to be sold by Avidity. The gross proceeds to Avidity from the offering, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, are expected to be $600 million. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is advising Avidity Biosciences on patent matters related to the transaction.
Client Highlights
5.20.25
Firm Advises Sirius on Patent Matters Related to CRISPR Therapeutics Collaboration
On May 20, 2025, CRISPR Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on creating transformative gene-based medicines for serious diseases, and Sirius Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company developing innovative small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapies for global markets, announced a strategic partnership to develop and commercialize novel siRNA therapies. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Sirius on patent matters related to the transaction.
Under the terms of the agreement, CRISPR Therapeutics will make an upfront payment of $25 million in cash and $70 million in equity to Sirius. The companies will jointly develop SRSD107—a next-generation, long-acting Factor XI (FXI) siRNA for the treatment of thromboembolic disorders—under a 50-50 cost and profit-sharing structure. CRISPR Therapeutics will lead commercialization in the U.S., while Sirius will be responsible for commercialization in Greater China. Additionally, CRISPR Therapeutics will have the option to nominate up to two siRNA targets for research and development. For each target, CRISPR Therapeutics will fund research and retain opt-in rights to lead clinical development and commercialization. Sirius will be eligible to receive milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties ranging from high-single to low-double digits.
The Wilson Sonsini team that advised Sirius on patent matters related to the transaction was led by Minyoung Shin and included Mike Hostetler, Hee Min Noh, Jen Zeng, and Tiara Wong.
For more information, please see the companies’ news release. Additional coverage is available in Fierce Biotech and BioSpace.
Under the terms of the agreement, CRISPR Therapeutics will make an upfront payment of $25 million in cash and $70 million in equity to Sirius. The companies will jointly develop SRSD107—a next-generation, long-acting Factor XI (FXI) siRNA for the treatment of thromboembolic disorders—under a 50-50 cost and profit-sharing structure. CRISPR Therapeutics will lead commercialization in the U.S., while Sirius will be responsible for commercialization in Greater China. Additionally, CRISPR Therapeutics will have the option to nominate up to two siRNA targets for research and development. For each target, CRISPR Therapeutics will fund research and retain opt-in rights to lead clinical development and commercialization. Sirius will be eligible to receive milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties ranging from high-single to low-double digits.
The Wilson Sonsini team that advised Sirius on patent matters related to the transaction was led by Minyoung Shin and included Mike Hostetler, Hee Min Noh, Jen Zeng, and Tiara Wong.
For more information, please see the companies’ news release. Additional coverage is available in Fierce Biotech and BioSpace.
Client Highlights
1.09.25
Wilson Sonsini Advises General Atlantic on IP Matters Related to Verdiva Bio’s Formation and $410 Million Series A
On January 9, 2025, Verdiva Bio Limited announced its launch as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for obesity and other cardiometabolic disorders. Verdiva launched with an oversubscribed Series A financing of $411 million, co-led by General Atlantic and Forbion, with additional participation from RA Capital Management, OrbiMed, Logos Capital, Lilly Asia Ventures, and LYFE Capital (collectively, “the Investor Group”). Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised General Atlantic on IP matters related to Verdiva’s formation and Series A funding round.
Verdiva is advancing a portfolio of next-generation oral and injectable treatments with first-in-class or best-in-class potential. The company is committed to developing next-generation therapies to help people living with obesity, cardiometabolic disorders, and related complications achieve better outcomes via more patient-friendly therapeutic options. Verdiva’s most advanced therapy is VRB-101, an oral GLP-1 peptide in clinical development that has demonstrated best-in-class efficacy potential in a phase 1 study in Australia.
Verdiva is advancing a portfolio of next-generation oral and injectable treatments with first-in-class or best-in-class potential. The company is committed to developing next-generation therapies to help people living with obesity, cardiometabolic disorders, and related complications achieve better outcomes via more patient-friendly therapeutic options. Verdiva’s most advanced therapy is VRB-101, an oral GLP-1 peptide in clinical development that has demonstrated best-in-class efficacy potential in a phase 1 study in Australia.
Client Highlights
8.19.24
Firm Advises Avidity Biosciences on IP Matters Related to Public Offering
On August 19, 2024, Avidity Biosciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company committed to delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics called Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™), announced that it has closed its previously announced underwritten public offering of 8,418,000 shares of its common stock, including 1,098,000 shares sold pursuant to the underwriters' full exercise of their option to purchase additional shares, at a price to the public of $41.00 per share. The gross proceeds to Avidity from the offering, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, were approximately $345.1 million. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is patent counsel to Avidity and represented the company in IP matters related to this transaction.
Client Highlights
6.18.24
Wilson Sonsini Advises Avidity Biosciences on Patent Matters Related to $461 Million Public Offering
On June 17, 2024, Avidity Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: RNA), a biopharmaceutical company committed to delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics called Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™), announced that it had closed an underwritten public offering of 12,132,500 shares of its common stock, including 1,582,500 shares sold pursuant to the underwriters' full exercise of their option to purchase additional shares, at a price to the public of $38.00 per share. The gross proceeds to Avidity from the offering, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, were approximately $461.0 million. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Avidity on patent matters related to the transaction.
Client Highlights
4.04.24
Wilson Sonsini Advises ProfoundBio on Patent Matters related to Acquisition by Genmab
On April 3, 2024, Genmab A/S and ProfoundBio, Inc. announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement for Genmab to acquire ProfoundBio in an all-cash transaction. ProfoundBio is a privately-owned clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation ADCs and ADC technologies for the treatment of certain cancers, including ovarian cancer and other FRα-expressing solid tumors. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati advised ProfoundBio on patent matters related to the transaction.
Genmab will acquire ProfoundBio for $1.8 billion in cash, payable at closing. The proposed transaction, which has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, is expected to close in the first half of 2024, and is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
The Wilson Sonsini team that advised ProfoundBio on patent matters related to the transaction includes Julia Minitti, Feng Tian, Hee Min Noh, and Jose Martinez.
For more information, please see ProfoundBio’s press release.
Genmab will acquire ProfoundBio for $1.8 billion in cash, payable at closing. The proposed transaction, which has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, is expected to close in the first half of 2024, and is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
The Wilson Sonsini team that advised ProfoundBio on patent matters related to the transaction includes Julia Minitti, Feng Tian, Hee Min Noh, and Jose Martinez.
For more information, please see ProfoundBio’s press release.
Client Highlights
2.29.24
Firm Advises Avidity Biosciences on Patent Matters Related to $400 Million Private Placement
On February 29, 2024, Avidity Biosciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company committed to delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics called Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™), announced that it has agreed to sell 15,224,773 shares of its common stock at a price of $16.50 per share and pre-funded warrants to purchase 9,030,851 shares of its common stock at a price per pre-funded warrant of $16.4990 to a select group of institutional and accredited healthcare specialist investors in an oversubscribed private placement. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Avidity on patent matters related to the transaction.
Client Highlights
1.12.24
Firm Advises JIXING on Acquisition of BIIB131 from Biogen
On January 11, 2024, Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals (JIXING), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to bringing innovative medicines to underserved patients with serious and life-threatening diseases, announced the acquisition of BIIB131 from Biogen for clinical development. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised JIXING on the transaction.
BIIB131 is an investigational drug for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Its proposed mechanism of action includes both thrombolytic and anti-inflammatory activities. By restoring critical blood flow following acute stroke, it may benefit more patients over current standard of care by extending the otherwise short treatment window.
BIIB131 is an investigational drug for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Its proposed mechanism of action includes both thrombolytic and anti-inflammatory activities. By restoring critical blood flow following acute stroke, it may benefit more patients over current standard of care by extending the otherwise short treatment window.
Client Highlights
1.12.24
Wilson Sonsini Advises JIXING on Strategic Collaborations with TMS
On January 11, 2024, TMS Co., Ltd. (TMS) and Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals Limited (JIXING) announced that they have entered into a strategic partnership established subsequent to the assignment of an option agreement from Biogen MA Inc. (Biogen) to JIXING, originally between TMS and Biogen, followed by an amendment immediately in effect upon the assignment. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised JIXING on the transaction.
TMS and JIXING will form a collaborative partnership to globally develop TMS-007—a novel antithrombotic agent developed for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS)—with TMS regaining royalty-free Japan rights while JIXING will lead the development and commercialization of TMS-007 in the rest of the world. TMS and JIXING will join forces to expeditiously develop and launch TMS-007 globally, facilitated by the formation of a Joint Development Committee. In addition, TMS will receive an upfront payment of $5 million in the form of JIXING equity, up to $12.5 million in development milestones, up to $355 million in commercial milestones, and tiered royalties consistent with the original Option Agreement.
Concurrently, JIXING licenses to TMS exclusive Japan rights of JX09. JX09 is an oral, novel, small molecule ASI in development for the treatment of resistant and/or uncontrolled hypertension by JIXING, which is planned to enter into a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial in early 2024.
The Wilson Sonsini team that advised JIXING on the transactions included partners Michael Hostetler, Farah Gerdes, Mark Bellomy, Greg Broome, and Jen Fang; associates Zack Burns, TJ Tingjie Li, Ying Chen, Brandon King, Christina Fuleihan, Hee Min Noh, and Zamin Raza; and patent agent Jamie Gleason-Bremer.
For more information, please see the companies’ news release.
TMS and JIXING will form a collaborative partnership to globally develop TMS-007—a novel antithrombotic agent developed for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS)—with TMS regaining royalty-free Japan rights while JIXING will lead the development and commercialization of TMS-007 in the rest of the world. TMS and JIXING will join forces to expeditiously develop and launch TMS-007 globally, facilitated by the formation of a Joint Development Committee. In addition, TMS will receive an upfront payment of $5 million in the form of JIXING equity, up to $12.5 million in development milestones, up to $355 million in commercial milestones, and tiered royalties consistent with the original Option Agreement.
Concurrently, JIXING licenses to TMS exclusive Japan rights of JX09. JX09 is an oral, novel, small molecule ASI in development for the treatment of resistant and/or uncontrolled hypertension by JIXING, which is planned to enter into a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial in early 2024.
The Wilson Sonsini team that advised JIXING on the transactions included partners Michael Hostetler, Farah Gerdes, Mark Bellomy, Greg Broome, and Jen Fang; associates Zack Burns, TJ Tingjie Li, Ying Chen, Brandon King, Christina Fuleihan, Hee Min Noh, and Zamin Raza; and patent agent Jamie Gleason-Bremer.
For more information, please see the companies’ news release.
Client Highlights
8.12.22
Wilson Sonsini Advises BigHat Biosciences on IP and Licensing Matters Related to $75 Million Series B
On July 20, 2022, BigHat Biosciences, a biotechnology company developing safer, more effective antibody therapies for patients using machine learning and synthetic biology, announced the completion of a Series B financing of $75 million led by Section 32, with participation from new investors Amgen Ventures, Bristol Myers Squibb, Quadrille Capital, Gaingels, and GRIDS Capital. Prior investors Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, and AME Cloud Ventures also contributed to this round. The company has raised over $100 million to date. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati provides support in IP and licensing matters to BigHat Biosciences.