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Michael Hostetler
Partner
Patents and Innovations
San Francisco
San Diego

D415-947-2471

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Designed and implemented IP strategy for 13 FDA-approved drugs and 60 active clinical trials
Erleada, Imbruvica, Lesinurad, Maralixibat, neffy, Otiprio, Palsonify, Talazoparib, TEPEZZA, Tyrvaya, VIZZ, Widaplik, and Xiidra

Extensive experience representing clients on both sell-side and buy-side M&As, with eight over $1 billion
Ambrx, Aragon Pharmaceuticals, Ardea Biosciences, Arthrosi Therapeutics, Avidity Biosciences, Candid Therapeutics, Centessa Pharmaceuticals, Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Forte Bio, Horizon Therapeutics, Pharmacyclics, RayzeBio, Seragon Pharmaceuticals, Synthorx, and Vividion Therapeutics, each leading to an acquisition by a major pharmaceutical company.

Extensive experience representing underwriters, investors, and companies in financings
Avalon BioVentures, AXA Investment Managers, BVF Partners, Foresite Capital, Frazier Healthcare Partners, General Atlantic Service Company, Goldman Sachs, Novo Holdings, OrbiMed, RA Capital Management, Sofinnova Investments, SR One Capital Management, venBio Partners, Venrock, Versant Venture Capital, Vida Ventures, and other venture and investment funds, in IP diligence matters.

Have supported more than 500 clients undergoing IP diligence for a venture round of investment: AirNexis Therapeutics, ARS Pharma, ARTBIO, Braveheart Bio, Design Therapeutics, Erasca, Expedition Therapeutics, HAYA Therapeutics, Janux Therapeutics, Kinnate Biopharma, LENZ Therapeutics, MBX Biosciences, Odyssey Therapeutics, ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Pinnacle Medicines, Sirius Therapeutics, Vasque Bio, Verdiva Bio, and Vidya Therapeutics, all on IP matters related to their IPOs.

Connects Life Sciences Community
Co-creator of Wilson Sonsini’s Healthcare Investment Initiative. Also on the board of directors for LaunchBio, and co-creator and host of the NextGen VC Podcast.

Experience

Designed and implemented IP strategy for 13 FDA-approved drugs and 60 active clinical trials
Erleada, Imbruvica, Lesinurad, Maralixibat, neffy, Otiprio, Palsonify, Talazoparib, TEPEZZA, Tyrvaya, VIZZ, Widaplik, and Xiidra

Extensive experience representing clients on both sell-side and buy-side M&As, with eight over $1 billion
Ambrx, Aragon Pharmaceuticals, Ardea Biosciences, Arthrosi Therapeutics, Avidity Biosciences, Candid Therapeutics, Centessa Pharmaceuticals, Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Forte Bio, Horizon Therapeutics, Pharmacyclics, RayzeBio, Seragon Pharmaceuticals, Synthorx, and Vividion Therapeutics, each leading to an acquisition by a major pharmaceutical company.

Extensive experience representing underwriters, investors, and companies in financings
Avalon BioVentures, AXA Investment Managers, BVF Partners, Foresite Capital, Frazier Healthcare Partners, General Atlantic Service Company, Goldman Sachs, Novo Holdings, OrbiMed, RA Capital Management, Sofinnova Investments, SR One Capital Management, venBio Partners, Venrock, Versant Venture Capital, Vida Ventures, and other venture and investment funds, in IP diligence matters.

Have supported more than 500 clients undergoing IP diligence for a venture round of investment: AirNexis Therapeutics, ARS Pharma, ARTBIO, Braveheart Bio, Design Therapeutics, Erasca, Expedition Therapeutics, HAYA Therapeutics, Janux Therapeutics, Kinnate Biopharma, LENZ Therapeutics, MBX Biosciences, Odyssey Therapeutics, ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Pinnacle Medicines, Sirius Therapeutics, Vasque Bio, Verdiva Bio, and Vidya Therapeutics, all on IP matters related to their IPOs.

Connects Life Sciences Community
Co-creator of Wilson Sonsini’s Healthcare Investment Initiative. Also on the board of directors for LaunchBio, and co-creator and host of the NextGen VC Podcast.

Focus Areas
Recent Insights
Client Highlights
Firm Advises Forte Biosciences on $2.2 Billion Acquisition by argenx
On July 27, 2026, argenx, a global immunology innovation company, and Forte Biosciences, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which argenx will acquire Forte Biosciences for $77.00 per share in cash, representing a total equity value of approximately $2.2 billion. FB102, Forte Biosciences’ lead program, expands argenx’s portfolio of differentiated immunology medicines, adding a first-in-class anti-CD122 antibody with clinical proof-of-concept in vitiligo and celiac disease and potential to address multiple autoimmune diseases. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Forte Biosciences on the transaction.
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Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Crinetics on Patent Matters Related to $10 Billion Acquisition by Vertex
On July 6, 2026, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, a global pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapeutics for endocrine diseases, announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Vertex will acquire Crinetics for $85.00 per share in cash, for a total equity value of approximately $10 billion, or approximately $8.8 billion net of estimated cash acquired. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is patent counsel to Crinetics and advised the company on patent matters related to the transaction.
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Recent Events
Affiliated Programs
East Coast NextGen VC Forum 2026
LaunchBio’s NextGen VC Forum is the premier event for venture capital professionals to deepen their knowledge of the life science and biotech sectors while building meaningful connections across the industry. The forum features expert led sessions that offer practical insights into evaluating, supporting, and scaling science-backed startups. Networking is built into the program to help participants expand their reach and grow their networks. Co-created with Wilson Sonsini, the half-day forum includes a networking lunch, three interactive one-hour sessions, and a closing happy hour.
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Affiliated Programs
West Coast NextGen VC Forum
LaunchBio’s NextGen VC Forum is the premier event for venture capital professionals to deepen their knowledge of the life science and biotech sectors while building meaningful connections across the industry. The forum features expert led sessions that offer practical insights into evaluating, supporting, and scaling science-backed startups. Networking is built into the program to help participants expand their reach and grow their networks. Co-created with Wilson Sonsini, the half-day forum includes a networking lunch, three interactive one-hour sessions, and a closing happy hour.
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