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David Pirko
Partner
Technology Transactions
Palo Alto
dpirko@wsgr.com

D650-849-3118

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  • Leading Life Sciences Representation

    David represents innovative and leading companies and venture capital investors in all sectors of the life sciences industry.

  • Comprehensive Transactional and Corporate Experience

    David represents his clients in their strategic transactional and corporate matters, including partnering and collaboration transactions, licensing agreements, corporate governance, venture financings, mergers and acquisitions, and other significant matters.

David Pirko represents leading life science companies and venture capital investors in strategic transactional and corporate matters, including partnering and collaboration agreements, licensing agreements, services agreements, clinical trial agreements, manufacturing and supply agreements and other complex transactional matters, as well as in corporate formations, corporate governance, venture financings, mergers and acquisitions, and other strategic corporate matters. David’s practice extends from startups to public companies operating in all sectors of the life sciences industry. David regularly counsels his clients with respect to complex transactions with major biopharmaceutical companies, leading investors, and internationally recognized public and private research universities and institutions.

Prior to joining the firm, David was an associate at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, where he represented clients in complex litigations. He also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Janis Sammartino of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

Experience

David Pirko represents leading life science companies and venture capital investors in strategic transactional and corporate matters, including partnering and collaboration agreements, licensing agreements, services agreements, clinical trial agreements, manufacturing and supply agreements and other complex transactional matters, as well as in corporate formations, corporate governance, venture financings, mergers and acquisitions, and other strategic corporate matters. David’s practice extends from startups to public companies operating in all sectors of the life sciences industry. David regularly counsels his clients with respect to complex transactions with major biopharmaceutical companies, leading investors, and internationally recognized public and private research universities and institutions.

Prior to joining the firm, David was an associate at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, where he represented clients in complex litigations. He also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Janis Sammartino of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

Education
  • J.D., Harvard Law SchoolMagna Cum Laude; Editor, Harvard Environmental Law Review
  • M.P.L., University of Southern CaliforniaHagman Land Use Law and Planning Scholar
  • B.A., Geography and Urban Studies, Temple University
Admissions
  • State Bar of California
Credentials
Education
  • J.D., Harvard Law SchoolMagna Cum Laude; Editor, Harvard Environmental Law Review
  • M.P.L., University of Southern CaliforniaHagman Land Use Law and Planning Scholar
  • B.A., Geography and Urban Studies, Temple University
Admissions
  • State Bar of California

Representative Matters

  • Synthekine’s collaboration with Sanofi
  • Legend’s collaboration with Novartis
  • Absci’s collaboration with AstraZeneca
  • Empirico’s collaboration with AbCellera
  • IGM Biosciences’ collaboration with Sanofi
  • Lyell Immunopharma’s collaboration with GSK
  • Mammoth Biosciences’ collaboration with GSK
  • Synthekine’s collaboration with Merck
  • Tenaya Therapeutics’ initial public offering
Matters

Representative Matters

  • Synthekine’s collaboration with Sanofi
  • Legend’s collaboration with Novartis
  • Absci’s collaboration with AstraZeneca
  • Empirico’s collaboration with AbCellera
  • IGM Biosciences’ collaboration with Sanofi
  • Lyell Immunopharma’s collaboration with GSK
  • Mammoth Biosciences’ collaboration with GSK
  • Synthekine’s collaboration with Merck
  • Tenaya Therapeutics’ initial public offering

Representative Clients

  • IGM Biosciences
  • Kallyope
  • Mammoth Biosciences
  • Nura Bio
  • Synthekine
  • Tenaya Therapeutics
Clients

Representative Clients

  • IGM Biosciences
  • Kallyope
  • Mammoth Biosciences
  • Nura Bio
  • Synthekine
  • Tenaya Therapeutics
Focus Areas
  • Biotech
  • Corporate
  • Emerging Companies and Venture Capital
  • Life Sciences
  • Technology Transactions
Recent Insights
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Azalea Therapeutics on $82 Million Financing
On November 4, 2025, Azalea Therapeutics, a biotechnology company redefining precision genomic medicines in vivo, announced its official launch and completion of $82 million in seed and Series A financing to advance its proprietary Enveloped Delivery Vehicle (EDV) technology. The funding was led by Third Rock Ventures, with participation from RA Capital Management, Yosemite, Sozo Ventures, and select individual investors. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Azalea Therapeutics on the transaction.
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Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Empirico on License Agreement with GSK
On October 28, 2025, GSK and Empirico, a clinical-stage biotechnology company with leading capabilities in human genetics-driven target discovery and siRNA medicines, announced that they have entered into a worldwide exclusive license agreement for EMP-012, a highly selective first- and potentially best-in-class siRNA, a type of oligonucleotide. EMP-012 addresses a novel therapeutic target and is currently in a Phase 1 trial for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with the potential for expansion into other inflammatory respiratory diseases. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Empirico on the transaction.
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Recent Events
Affiliated Programs
PBSS Workshop: Intellectual Property Strategies and Best Practices
Wilson Sonsini is proud to partner with the Pharmaceutical & BioScience Society (PBSS) to present a workshop on intellectual property strategies and best practices on Thursday, February 6 at the Crowne Plaza Foster City.
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