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Notable Transactions
Alex has worked with notable industry names such as Peloton Therapeutics, WuXi Apptec, and Enable Injections.
Dr. Alexander Key is a partner in the technology transactions practice of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he focuses on the representation of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, digital health, and other life science and technology companies. Alex advises private and public companies, both domestic and international, on a broad range of partnering transactions, including the structuring and negotiation of licenses, collaborations, and procurement arrangements, as well as mergers and acquisitions. He has significant experience in novel therapeutic modalities and technologies, including AI-enabled target and drug discovery and next-generation medical devices. Alex regularly assists nonprofits with transactional and intellectual property matters, including The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Fogarty Innovation, and Stanford Biodesign.
Alex was named as a “star” by LMG Life Sciences Americas in 2024 and was shortlisted as a finalist for “Licensing and Collaboration Attorney of the Year” in 2025.
Dr. Alexander Key is a partner in the technology transactions practice of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he focuses on the representation of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, digital health, and other life science and technology companies. Alex advises private and public companies, both domestic and international, on a broad range of partnering transactions, including the structuring and negotiation of licenses, collaborations, and procurement arrangements, as well as mergers and acquisitions. He has significant experience in novel therapeutic modalities and technologies, including AI-enabled target and drug discovery and next-generation medical devices. Alex regularly assists nonprofits with transactional and intellectual property matters, including The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Fogarty Innovation, and Stanford Biodesign.
Alex was named as a “star” by LMG Life Sciences Americas in 2024 and was shortlisted as a finalist for “Licensing and Collaboration Attorney of the Year” in 2025.
- J.D., Duke University School of Law, 2005Cum Laude; Board Member, Intellectual Property Law Society; Editor, Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum
- Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2002With Highest Distinction
- B.A., Economics and Philosophy, University of New Mexico, 1999With Highest Distinction
- Major in Economics, Cornell University
- State Bar of California
- State Bar of New York
- J.D., Duke University School of Law, 2005Cum Laude; Board Member, Intellectual Property Law Society; Editor, Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum
- Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2002With Highest Distinction
- B.A., Economics and Philosophy, University of New Mexico, 1999With Highest Distinction
- Major in Economics, Cornell University
- State Bar of California
- State Bar of New York
Recent Illustrative Transactions
- InSilico Medicine in license and collaboration arrangements with Eli Lilly, the Menarini Group, Exelixis, Sanofi, EQRx, and Fosun Pharma
- Enable Injections in various license, development, and supply arrangements relating to Enable’s on-body device for the subcutaneous delivery of therapeutics, including with Sanofi, Roche, Viridian Therapeutics, Apellis, Sobi, Serina Therapeutics, Eledon Pharmaceuticals, and Incyte
- LaNova Medicine in collaboration and license agreements with Merck, AstraZeneca, and Turning Point Therapeutics
- Circle Pharma in license and collaboration transactions, including with Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer
- Nosis Biosciences in collaborations with Daiichi Sankyo and Janssen
- BioMap in a collaboration with Sanofi for the development of an AI-based biotherapeutic discovery platform
- Serina Therapeutics in a license arrangement with Pfizer applying Serina’s proprietary poly(oxazoline) (POZ) technology to mRNA vaccines for the treatment or prevention of influenza
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging in strategic partnerships and licensing deals, including with Phenome Health, the Astera Institute, Juvenescence, and the Bia-Echo Foundation
- Kumquat Biosciences in various collaboration and license arrangements, including with Loxo Oncology at Lilly
- Curon Biopharma in collaboration and license agreements, including with Rhizen and WuXi
- Recent illustrative M&A deals include Bolt Medical’s acquisition by BSC, Enliven Therapeutics’ reverse merger with Imara, and Silk Road Medical’s acquisition by BSC
Recent Illustrative Transactions
- InSilico Medicine in license and collaboration arrangements with Eli Lilly, the Menarini Group, Exelixis, Sanofi, EQRx, and Fosun Pharma
- Enable Injections in various license, development, and supply arrangements relating to Enable’s on-body device for the subcutaneous delivery of therapeutics, including with Sanofi, Roche, Viridian Therapeutics, Apellis, Sobi, Serina Therapeutics, Eledon Pharmaceuticals, and Incyte
- LaNova Medicine in collaboration and license agreements with Merck, AstraZeneca, and Turning Point Therapeutics
- Circle Pharma in license and collaboration transactions, including with Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer
- Nosis Biosciences in collaborations with Daiichi Sankyo and Janssen
- BioMap in a collaboration with Sanofi for the development of an AI-based biotherapeutic discovery platform
- Serina Therapeutics in a license arrangement with Pfizer applying Serina’s proprietary poly(oxazoline) (POZ) technology to mRNA vaccines for the treatment or prevention of influenza
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging in strategic partnerships and licensing deals, including with Phenome Health, the Astera Institute, Juvenescence, and the Bia-Echo Foundation
- Kumquat Biosciences in various collaboration and license arrangements, including with Loxo Oncology at Lilly
- Curon Biopharma in collaboration and license agreements, including with Rhizen and WuXi
- Recent illustrative M&A deals include Bolt Medical’s acquisition by BSC, Enliven Therapeutics’ reverse merger with Imara, and Silk Road Medical’s acquisition by BSC
Select Publications/Patents
- "Inhibition of chemoattractant N-formyl peptide receptor trafficking by active arrestins," 6 Traffic 87-99, 2005
- "N-formyl peptide receptor phosphorylation domains differentially regulate arrestin and agonist affinity," 278 Journal of Biological Chemistry 4041-47, 2003
- "Regulation of formyl peptide receptor agonist affinity by reconstitution with arrestins and heterotrimeric G proteins," 276 Journal of Biological Chemistry 49204-12, 2001
- Co-inventor with L.A. Sklar, et al., "Bead-based Detection of Ligand-GPCR-G Complexes," U.S. Patent No. 7,189,519, 2003
Select Publications/Patents
- "Inhibition of chemoattractant N-formyl peptide receptor trafficking by active arrestins," 6 Traffic 87-99, 2005
- "N-formyl peptide receptor phosphorylation domains differentially regulate arrestin and agonist affinity," 278 Journal of Biological Chemistry 4041-47, 2003
- "Regulation of formyl peptide receptor agonist affinity by reconstitution with arrestins and heterotrimeric G proteins," 276 Journal of Biological Chemistry 49204-12, 2001
- Co-inventor with L.A. Sklar, et al., "Bead-based Detection of Ligand-GPCR-G Complexes," U.S. Patent No. 7,189,519, 2003
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