Life Sciences Business Advisory Practice
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Business Advisory and Legal Support from One Firm
Wilson Sonsini now offers a unique and innovative business advisory service that provides emerging as well as more established life sciences companies support covering everything from how to craft and enhance a business plan to raising capital, hiring an operating team, and executing a partnering or similar deal transaction process. Not only do these services help companies thrive, they also address companies’ most challenging issues. The business advisory practice complements the firm’s outstanding legal counsel with experienced business and licensing advisors to support and accelerate growth through strategic business advice.
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Integrated, Multidisciplinary Approach to Life Sciences
Our business advisors can tap into the firm’s broad bench of talented attorneys who provide life sciences counsel on many legal matters, from formation and financings to regulatory and real estate. Working together, they can provide seamless and efficient business and legal counsel.
For additional information, clients should contact their relationship lead at Wilson Sonsini or Matthew Meyer.
Company Creation and Growth
- Develop and refine a company’s business model, including critical aspects such as the business plan, reimbursement strategies, and commercial go-to-market plans
- Advise on the build-out and recruitment of management teams and boards of directors
Company Financings
- Advise companies on strategies and tactics to raise capital, including support with their pitches, investment narratives, and identifying and facilitating introductions to appropriate sources of capital
Partnering and Licensing
- Support the development of strategies and implementation of tactics covering company partnering, in- or out-licensing, and other corporate collaborations
- Counsel on university in- and out-licensing dynamics
- Manage deal transaction processes, from the development of outreach materials, to target identification and engagement, to the diligence process and negotiation of key business terms
General Executive-Level Business Counsel
- Outsourced executive business services such as business development and commercial matters to complement and/or supplement a company’s own staff
Counsel International Companies Coming to the U.S.
- Advise offshore companies looking to establish or expand their presence in the U.S. market from a financing, operations, partnering, and commercial perspective
For these and other areas of interest, our lead business and licensing advisors, Matthew Meyer and Kathy Ku, can help the client’s executive team prioritize and develop practical approaches and solutions suited to each client’s unique culture, circumstances, and needs.
For innovation companies, their success is often tied to the skill with which they handle the legal and regulatory issues in their industry. Law and business strategy go hand in hand. And this lesson is especially important for emerging companies… and junior lawyers. In this episode, we hear directly from Jake Chabon, co-founder and CEO of the successful emerging company Foresight Diagnostics, about the need for and value of combined legal and business advice. Jake is interviewed by Matthew Meyer, chief business advisor of Wilson Sonsini’s life sciences advisory practice.
Overview
Company Creation and Growth
- Develop and refine a company’s business model, including critical aspects such as the business plan, reimbursement strategies, and commercial go-to-market plans
- Advise on the build-out and recruitment of management teams and boards of directors
Company Financings
- Advise companies on strategies and tactics to raise capital, including support with their pitches, investment narratives, and identifying and facilitating introductions to appropriate sources of capital
Partnering and Licensing
- Support the development of strategies and implementation of tactics covering company partnering, in- or out-licensing, and other corporate collaborations
- Counsel on university in- and out-licensing dynamics
- Manage deal transaction processes, from the development of outreach materials, to target identification and engagement, to the diligence process and negotiation of key business terms
General Executive-Level Business Counsel
- Outsourced executive business services such as business development and commercial matters to complement and/or supplement a company’s own staff
Counsel International Companies Coming to the U.S.
- Advise offshore companies looking to establish or expand their presence in the U.S. market from a financing, operations, partnering, and commercial perspective
For these and other areas of interest, our lead business and licensing advisors, Matthew Meyer and Kathy Ku, can help the client’s executive team prioritize and develop practical approaches and solutions suited to each client’s unique culture, circumstances, and needs.
For innovation companies, their success is often tied to the skill with which they handle the legal and regulatory issues in their industry. Law and business strategy go hand in hand. And this lesson is especially important for emerging companies… and junior lawyers. In this episode, we hear directly from Jake Chabon, co-founder and CEO of the successful emerging company Foresight Diagnostics, about the need for and value of combined legal and business advice. Jake is interviewed by Matthew Meyer, chief business advisor of Wilson Sonsini’s life sciences advisory practice.
Alerts
FDA Finalizes Clinical Decision Support (CDS) Software Guidance
In September 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its final guidance, “Clinical Decision Support Software,” representing a shift from what was proposed in the 2019 draft guidance. The guidance document is a critical policy tool in determining whether a software functionality will be considered CDS software beyond the FDA’s oversight or regulated by the agency as a medical device. Many software functionalities that the FDA would not have regulated according to the draft guidance may now be subject to FDA oversight.
Insights
Alerts
FDA Finalizes Clinical Decision Support (CDS) Software Guidance
In September 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its final guidance, “Clinical Decision Support Software,” representing a shift from what was proposed in the 2019 draft guidance. The guidance document is a critical policy tool in determining whether a software functionality will be considered CDS software beyond the FDA’s oversight or regulated by the agency as a medical device. Many software functionalities that the FDA would not have regulated according to the draft guidance may now be subject to FDA oversight.
WSGR Events
Insights on Succeeding in the Life Science Sectors in the USA and Switzerland
Please join Wilson Sonsini and Niederer Kraft Frey for a panel featuring Swiss and American venture capitalists and executives who will discuss the differences between investment considerations and VC expectations around scaling and development timelines, as well as how to best navigate them.
Affiliated Programs
Developing a Killer Investor Pitch
Wilson Sonsini’s Life Sciences Business Advisory team, which consists of experienced business leaders across a wide variety of life science disciplines, will be hosting a 1-hour session dedicated to exploring the ins and outs of venture capital investing. Whether you are an emerging biopharma company or have a breakthrough idea for a digital health app, understanding the intricacies of the life science venture capital environment is critical in setting your company up for success. Through this session, you will learn from experienced business leaders about the different types of life science investors, how to prepare for an outreach, how to develop a “killer” pitch deck, and much more.
Affiliated Programs
Innovator’s Edge Series: Hot Topics in Life Sciences – Juno v. Kite, Real Estate Basics, and Presenting Prep
Wilson Sonsini is pleased to present our Innovator’s Edge Series event, Hot Topics in Life Sciences – Juno v. Kite, Real Estate Basics, and Presenting Prep. An esteemed panel of Wilson Sonsini experts will provide a high-level overview of three industry topics that are relevant and of particular interest now. Join this session if you are interested in learning more about the latest news, trends, and happenings in the life sciences world.
Events
WSGR Events
Insights on Succeeding in the Life Science Sectors in the USA and Switzerland
Please join Wilson Sonsini and Niederer Kraft Frey for a panel featuring Swiss and American venture capitalists and executives who will discuss the differences between investment considerations and VC expectations around scaling and development timelines, as well as how to best navigate them.
Affiliated Programs
Developing a Killer Investor Pitch
Wilson Sonsini’s Life Sciences Business Advisory team, which consists of experienced business leaders across a wide variety of life science disciplines, will be hosting a 1-hour session dedicated to exploring the ins and outs of venture capital investing. Whether you are an emerging biopharma company or have a breakthrough idea for a digital health app, understanding the intricacies of the life science venture capital environment is critical in setting your company up for success. Through this session, you will learn from experienced business leaders about the different types of life science investors, how to prepare for an outreach, how to develop a “killer” pitch deck, and much more.
Affiliated Programs
Innovator’s Edge Series: Hot Topics in Life Sciences – Juno v. Kite, Real Estate Basics, and Presenting Prep
Wilson Sonsini is pleased to present our Innovator’s Edge Series event, Hot Topics in Life Sciences – Juno v. Kite, Real Estate Basics, and Presenting Prep. An esteemed panel of Wilson Sonsini experts will provide a high-level overview of three industry topics that are relevant and of particular interest now. Join this session if you are interested in learning more about the latest news, trends, and happenings in the life sciences world.
Matthew J. Meyer
Chief Business Advisor, Life Sciences Business Advisory
Matthew J. Meyer is chief business advisor for life sciences at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Based in San Francisco, Matthew leads the firm's life science business advisory practice—a newly formed, innovative resource aimed at providing start-up and emerging life sciences companies with business insights, capabilities, and strategies to help them thrive and address some of their most challenging issues.
Katharine Ku
Chief Licensing Advisor
Katharine (Kathy) Ku is the chief licensing advisor in the Palo Alto office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. She is also a member of the technology transactions and the patents and innovations practice groups.
Jonathan Soderstrom
Chief Licensing Advisor
Dr. Jonathan Soderstrom is a chief licensing advisor in the New York office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. He is also a member of the technology transactions and the patents and innovations practice groups. Jon has spent over 40 years managing the commercialization of intellectual property created at major public and private research institutions.
Under Jon’s leadership for 25-plus years, Yale Ventures (formerly known as Yale’s Office of Cooperative Research) helped form over 75 new ventures including Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Arvinas, NextCure, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, and Inozyme Pharma, which have collectively raised over $1 billion in professional venture capital.
Under Jon’s leadership for 25-plus years, Yale Ventures (formerly known as Yale’s Office of Cooperative Research) helped form over 75 new ventures including Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Arvinas, NextCure, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, and Inozyme Pharma, which have collectively raised over $1 billion in professional venture capital.
Michael Cialone
Manager, Life Sciences Business Advisory
Michael Cialone is a manager in the life sciences business advisory practice at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Based in New York City, Michael advises across a broad range of engagements, including corporate development, fundraising, and other corporate strategy initiatives. He also plays a key role in expanding the Wilson Sonsini advisory service offerings to life sciences clients based in the Northeast U.S.
People
Matthew J. Meyer
Chief Business Advisor, Life Sciences Business Advisory
Matthew J. Meyer is chief business advisor for life sciences at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Based in San Francisco, Matthew leads the firm's life science business advisory practice—a newly formed, innovative resource aimed at providing start-up and emerging life sciences companies with business insights, capabilities, and strategies to help them thrive and address some of their most challenging issues.
Katharine Ku
Chief Licensing Advisor
Katharine (Kathy) Ku is the chief licensing advisor in the Palo Alto office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. She is also a member of the technology transactions and the patents and innovations practice groups.
Jonathan Soderstrom
Chief Licensing Advisor
Dr. Jonathan Soderstrom is a chief licensing advisor in the New York office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. He is also a member of the technology transactions and the patents and innovations practice groups. Jon has spent over 40 years managing the commercialization of intellectual property created at major public and private research institutions.
Under Jon’s leadership for 25-plus years, Yale Ventures (formerly known as Yale’s Office of Cooperative Research) helped form over 75 new ventures including Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Arvinas, NextCure, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, and Inozyme Pharma, which have collectively raised over $1 billion in professional venture capital.
Under Jon’s leadership for 25-plus years, Yale Ventures (formerly known as Yale’s Office of Cooperative Research) helped form over 75 new ventures including Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Arvinas, NextCure, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, and Inozyme Pharma, which have collectively raised over $1 billion in professional venture capital.
Michael Cialone
Manager, Life Sciences Business Advisory
Michael Cialone is a manager in the life sciences business advisory practice at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Based in New York City, Michael advises across a broad range of engagements, including corporate development, fundraising, and other corporate strategy initiatives. He also plays a key role in expanding the Wilson Sonsini advisory service offerings to life sciences clients based in the Northeast U.S.
Related Industries
Recent Insights
Alerts
FDA Finalizes Clinical Decision Support (CDS) Software Guidance
In September 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its final guidance, “Clinical Decision Support Software,” representing a shift from what was proposed in the 2019 draft guidance. The guidance document is a critical policy tool in determining whether a software functionality will be considered CDS software beyond the FDA’s oversight or regulated by the agency as a medical device. Many software functionalities that the FDA would not have regulated according to the draft guidance may now be subject to FDA oversight.
Learn More
Recent Events
WSGR Events
Insights on Succeeding in the Life Science Sectors in the USA and Switzerland
Please join Wilson Sonsini and Niederer Kraft Frey for a panel featuring Swiss and American venture capitalists and executives who will discuss the differences between investment considerations and VC expectations around scaling and development timelines, as well as how to best navigate them.
Learn More
Key Contacts
Matthew J. Meyer
Chief Business Advisor, Life Sciences Business Advisory
Matthew J. Meyer is chief business advisor for life sciences at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Based in San Francisco, Matthew leads the firm's life science business advisory practice—a newly formed, innovative resource aimed at providing start-up and emerging life sciences companies with business insights, capabilities, and strategies to help them thrive and address some of their most challenging issues.
Katharine Ku
Chief Licensing Advisor
Katharine (Kathy) Ku is the chief licensing advisor in the Palo Alto office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. She is also a member of the technology transactions and the patents and innovations practice groups.
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