Heller Ehrman has one of the largest and most comprehensive life sciences practices in the United States. For more than 40 years, we have played a pivotal role in the growth of innovative life sciences companies. We also work extensively with the private and public financing communities on leading life sciences deals, including representation of major funds investing in the industry.
We provide legal guidance on all aspects of business and intellectual property strategy and development. We counsel companies on corporate and securities law at each stage of development, from initial financings to the IPO to mergers and acquisitions. Our IP transactional lawyers help structure, negotiate and draft all types of strategic alliances, collaborations, manufacturing and supply agreements and clinical trial agreements with companies all over the world. Our regulatory attorneys guide clients through their dealings with the FDA and other administrative agencies. Our industry-experienced litigators vigorously protect and defend patents, trademarks and other intellectual property.
Facts About Our Practice
Our Capabilities
Capital Markets
Heller Ehrman's capital markets practice assists clients in finding and securing the funding they need to grow and prosper. Drawing upon the resources of our attorneys from across the firm's offices in the United States, Europe and Asia, our capital markets practice leverages our strong relationships with the venture capital and investment banking communities to help raise funds through public and private offerings of equity, debt and equity-linked securities.
Corporate Securities, M&A
Heller Ehrman provides the full array of corporate services. Our nationally recognized M&A team counsels participants in transactions involving the change of control in all or part of a business. We are experienced with sophisticated public financing instruments of all types and have well established relationships with nationally prominent venture capital and investment banking firms. We also counsel clients in 1934 Act and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.
Intellectual Property
We work with clients to develop and manage intellectual property portfolios. We offer all patent-related services such as patent searching, drafting and filing, patent prosecution , patent term extensions and regulatory exclusivity, as well as opinions regarding patentability, validity and infringement. We obtain and maintain trademarks, trade names and copyrights for many of our clients.
Intellectual Property Transactions
We represent clients in the design, documentation and operation of strategic alliances, licenses and a variety of collaborations relating to research and development, commercialization, strategic alliance, distribution, manufacturing and supply, clinical trials and related transactions. We participate on both the idea and money sides of ventures involving small and large companies as well as research institutes, often handling transactions involving multiple parties.
Litigation Services
Our nationally recognized litigation team has handled high-profile litigation matters throughout the United States in the areas of antitrust, intellectual property, consumer defense, securities, insurance coverage and employment law. In 2005, we prevailed in the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of Merck KGaA in a patent case brought by Integra Life Sciences I, Ltd., considered the most significant life sciences court decision in a generation. In 2007 we earned a final victory for Merck KGaA, when the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in favor of the company, on all claims, after remand from the Supreme Court.
FDA
We focus on FDA regulatory, policy, enforcement and product development regulatory strategy issues, as well as commercial transactions involving pre-clinical and clinical testing, manufacturing, distribution, labeling, marketing, advertising and promotion, and the exportation and importation of drugs, biologics, biopharmaceuticals, medical and in vitro diagnostic devices, foods, dietary supplements and cosmetics.