Goodwin Procter

Goodwin Procter is a premier global law firm with a robust financial and corporate team focused on the life sciences industry. The firm offers a deep bench of attorneys capable of assisting with public offerings, transactions, licensing, collaborations and venture-backed financing. "They have one of the largest and most successful corporate IP life sciences practices in Boston and the US," a peer says.

Kingsley Taft co-chairs the firm's life sciences group and is highly regarded in the field. One peer notes Taft is "definitely one of the leading lawyers in the life sciences sector," and that he is "not just a star, but a superstar" in the space. Taft, who also holds a PhD in chemistry from MIT, regularly advises life sciences clients in a variety of business and financial affairs. Among his recent matters, Taft advised Insitro, a drug discovery firm, on its strategic collaboration with Gilead Sciences valued at $1 billion.

Serving alongside Taft as co-chair of the life sciences group is Mitchell Bloom, who "has a great knowledge base and is great to work with," a peer says. Bloom is particularly noteworthy for venture capital work, with one peer stating he is "probably the best VC lawyer" in the industry. Stuart Cable focuses on transactions and corporate financing, representing several clients in the past year. Among his recent matters, Cable assisted Rubius Therapeutics in its initial public offering, and advised Spark Therapeutics in its $4.8 billion merger agreement with Roche.

Maggie Wong represents a variety of innovative life sciences companies in raising capital. Wong recently advised Eidos Therapeutics with its initial public offering as well as BridgeBio Pharma with its Series D financing round, totaling $299 million.

Boston-based Goodwin Procter offers a full-service life sciences IP practice, supported by top national rankings in general patent litigation, Hatch-Waxman and patent strategy. The firm's litigation group is notable for its representation of generic pharmaceutical makers and its activity in the biosimilars area.

In patent strategy, a peer says about the firm: "They are at the forefront of biologics and have led the market." Goodwin's appellate team was involved in one of the most closely watched life sciences cases of the year, Helsinn v Teva, which resulted in a Supreme Court decision related to the "on-sale bar." The case was recognized as a Hatch-Waxman Impact Case of the Year by LMG Life Sciences.

IP litigation co-chair Daryl Wiesen is well-versed in disputes related to pharmaceutical and biotechnology. "He is just a superb lawyer," a peer says. "It's a pleasure to be litigating against someone who is really talented. He brings the fight to you." Elaine Hermann Blais, who heads the litigation department in the Boston office, is one of the firm's specialists in biopharmaceutical matters. "She really impressed me," a peer says. "She's one of those people who I think represents her clients well in the sense that she's a tough advocate, but has really good judgments about what the important things are in a case." Both Wiesen and Blais recently represented Celltrion and Teva in a biosimilar dispute against Genentech. The matter settled in late 2018.

Elizabeth Holland is well known for her experience in Hatch-Waxman litigation, often for generic pharmaceutical clients. She recently acted for Teva entity Actavis in a suit brought by Cosmo Technologies and Valeant, which was decided favorably in district court and affirmed on appeal. "Elizabeth Holland is exceptional, and she has a tremendous team," a peer says.

In the non-contentious space, Theresa Kavanaugh focuses her practice on patent prosecution and portfolio development for early stage companies. She recently assisted a biopharmaceutical company in a licensing agreement with a major life sciences company. Duncan Greenhalgh has a strong reputation as a patent advisor to life sciences companies and a "great depth of biotech knowledge," according to a peer.

The firm recently brought on partner Michael Shuster from Fenwick & West, bolstering the group's offering in patent strategy and portfolio development. A peer says Shuster is "superb both tactically and strategically."

General practice firm Goodwin Procter offers a strong roster of attorneys servicing life sciences clients in all practice areas, but is most notable for being a powerhouse in IP and transactions. The firm receives top ranking in patent litigation, patent strategy, licensing, M&A, venture capital and general corporate work. Among the firm's noteworthy matters from the past year was the Supreme Court case Helsinn v Teva, which was decided in favor of client Teva and clarified legal questions in relation to the "on-sale bar."

IP litigation co-chair Daryl Wiesen is well versed in disputes related to pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. "He is just a superb lawyer," a peer says. "It's a pleasure to be litigating against someone who is really talented. He brings the fight to you." Elizabeth Holland is well known for her experience in Hatch-Waxman litigation, often for generic pharmaceutical clients. She recently acted for Teva entity Actavis in a patent suit. Theresa Kavanaugh focuses her practice on patent prosecution and portfolio development for early stage companies. Duncan Greenhalgh has a strong reputation as a patent advisor to life sciences companies and a "great depth of biotech knowledge," according to a peer.

In financial matters, a peer says of the firm: "They have one of the largest and most successful corporate IP life sciences practices in Boston and the US." Kingsley Taft co-chairs the firm's life sciences group and is highly regarded in the field. One peer notes Taft is "definitely one of the leading lawyers in the life sciences sector," and that he is "not just a star, but a superstar" in the space. Serving alongside Taft as co-chair of the life sciences group is Mitchell Bloom, who "has a great knowledge base and is great to work with," a peer says. Stuart Cable focuses on transactions and corporate financing, representing several clients in the past year. He recently assisted Rubius Therapeutics in its initial public offering, and advised Spark Therapeutics in its $4.8 billion merger agreement with Roche. Maggie Wong assists a variety of life sciences companies with raising capital.

Notable individuals in the litigation and enforcement area are Joanne Gray and William Harrington, both based in the firm's New York branch. Gray serves as chair of the firm's products liability and mass torts practice group. Harrington, whose practice focuses on government investigations and white-collar matters, has expertise in health care fraud, the Anti-Kickback Statute, False Claims Act and the Stark Act. He is currently representing a client in a civil and criminal investigation brought by the Department of Justice.

A leading practitioner in the regulatory group is Julie Tibbets, who specializes in product development, marketing and FDA issues that arise from transactions. In addition to pharmaceuticals, her technology expertise extends to biologics, medical devices, diagnostics, food, and other areas. Tibbets recently advised Protalix Biotherapeutics in FDA-related matters.