The Legal 500

United States: Intellectual property

Patents: licensing

Within: Patents: licensing

Ropes & Gray LLP was especially active in healthcare- and pharmaceutical-related instructions, though the group's recent highlights also include semiconductor and biotechnology mandates. Practice head David McIntosh advised Sarepta Therapeutics on multiple transactions, ranging from the negotiation of a license and option agreement with Lacerta Therapeutics to the negotiation of an exclusive license agreement with Lysogene to develop a gene therapy aimed at treating a neurodegenerative disorder. Bain Capital, BioTelemetry and Shire are other key clients. Silicon Valley's Megan Baca, Edward Black and Mark Bellomy are also noted, as is Regina Sam Penti, who recently made partner. Harry Rubin joined Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.

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United States: M&A/corporate and commercial

Commercial deals and contracts

Within: Commercial deals and contracts

Ropes & Gray LLP is ‘well equipped' to handle standalone commercial contracts and M&A-related IP transactions for healthcare companies, IT-companies and private equity firms. Silicon Valley-based Megan Baca (‘business-oriented, resourceful, and reliable’) advised TPG Capital on its stock acquisition from Intel of Wind River Systems, a provider of internet operating systems. In addition, Edward Black advised semiconductors manufacturer M/A-COM Technology Solutions Holdings on a licensing and joint venture arrangement with STMicroelectronics. Practice head David M. McIntosh assisted biotech company Homology Medicines with a research collaboration with Novartis for the use of the client’s gene editing technology in the development of blood disease treatments. Regina Sam Penti was promoted to partner in November 2018; Harry Rubin in New York left the practice to join Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP in October 2018. Named lawyers are based in Boston unless otherwise stated.

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United States: Media, technology and telecoms

Fintech

Within: Fintech

Ropes & Gray LLP has particular experience assisting investment firms with the integration of, and investment in financial technology. Boston-based Edward Black and counsel Edward Baer in San Francisco jointly head the practice group; Black recently led a team which assisted Pacific Investment Management Company with its $20m investment and licensing agreement with Beacon Platform, a developer of cloud-based integrated data and financial analytics platforms. He also advised Willowbridge Associates on several matters including on issues around the acquisition and management of artificial intelligence, data and other technology systems, and in connection with the company’s fintech joint ventures. In another work highlight, the group acted for alternative asset firm TPG Capital and Eze Software (a provider of investment management solutions) in the $1.45bn sale of Eze Software to SS&C Technologies Holdings. Other key names to note include New York-based Sarah Davidoff for her experience handling the formation of funds focused on investing in cryptocurrencies, and IP litigator Leslie Spencer, based in the Silicon Valley office.

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Technology transactions

Within: Technology transactions

Ropes & Gray LLP is instructed by telecoms companies, financial institutions and private equity groups, a recent example of which included advising TPG Capital in its stock acquisition of internet operating systems provider Wind River Systems, involving the negotiation and drafting of IP transition services, licensing and collaboration agreements. In addition, the team acted for semiconductor manufacturer M/A-Com Technology Solutions Holding in a licensing and joint venture arrangement with STMicroelectronics for the development of certain telecoms technology. The practice group is jointly headed by Jane D. Goldstein, who divides her time between New York and Boston, Edward G. Black in Boston and Silicon Valley-based Andrew N. Thomases. Also recommended are Matthew Jacobson, who joined the team from King & Spalding LLP and divides his time between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, and recently promoted partner Regina Sam Penti, who divides time between Boston and London.

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