Sidley Austin LLP > Beijing, China > Firm Profile

Sidley Austin LLP
SUITE 608, TOWER C2, ORIENTAL PLAZA
NO 1 EAST CHANG AN AVENUE, DONG CHENG DISTRICT
BEIJING 100738
China

Visit website 86 10 5905 5588 86 10 6505 5360

China > Life sciences and healthcare: foreign firms Tier 2

Sidley Austin LLP provides a holistic life sciences offering, covering representation in major arbitrations, compliance and cybersecurity advice and assistance with innovative financings such as the royalty backed and hybrid financings the firm has overseen on behalf of RBF. Clients note the firm’s understanding of ‘China’s unique environment‘. The team is jointly led by Lei Li, a product registration, clinical trials, distribution and licensing expert, and Chen Yang, a China market entrance specialist who also has significant experience in assisting PRC government agencies with litigation in the US. Ruchun Ji, who works on cross-border licensing agreements and private equity transactions, is a further name to note.

Leading individuals

Lei Li - Sidley Austin LLP

Practice head(s):

Lei Li; Chen Yang

Other key lawyers:

Ruchun Ji

Testimonials

‘Sidley Austin’s life science team has many years of practical experience in China’s medical industry. Their legal support is not only professional, but also very pragmatic and considers China’s unique environment.’

‘Li Lei has rich experience in anti-monopoly, anti-commercial bribery and related investigations.’

Key clients

China Association of Enterprise with Foreign Investment R&D-Based Pharmaceutical Association Committee (RDPAC)

R-Bridge Healthcare Fund, managed by CBC Group

NeuroFront Therapeutics (Hong Kong) Limited

Rona Therapeutics, Inc.

I-Mab Biopharma Co., Ltd.

Keymed Biosciences

MicroPort NeuroTech

Genuine Biotech Limited

Qyuns Therapeutics Co., Ltd.

Akeso, Inc.

Work highlights

Advising RDPAC on revising its Code of Practice, with the revised code being brought in during March 2023.
Represented I-Mab Biopharma Co., Ltd. (I-Mab) in a multi-year-long ICC arbitration against Tracon Pharmaceuticals concerning antibodies to be used in cancer treatment.
Advised R-Bridge Healthcare Fund (RBF), a fund managed by healthcare-dedicated asset management firm CBC Group, on two biopharma and healthcare financings, including one royalty-backed financing.

China > Private equity: foreign firms Tier 4

Sidley Austin LLP ‘s China private equity team is increasingly active in transactions involving diversified and high-growth sectors, including the likes of cutting-edge technology, education, transport, AI, and internet and e-commerce; being particularly prominent regarding SPAC transactions. Constance Choy jointly leads the practice and is a trusted advisor to major clients in the real estate, life sciences and financial services sectors. Co-head Raymond Oh’s practice is particularly diverse, advising on complex issues concerning pre-IPO investment, PE fund formation, PIPE transactions, start-ups and emerging companies.

Practice head(s):

Constance Choy; Raymond Oh

Testimonials

‘It was my first time working with Sidley Austin this year on a private equity deal. They did a great job delivering an outstanding result within a very tight timetable and across very complicated topics including IP, restructuring and etc.’

Key clients

Inspiration Capital Partners

Cloudview Technology Limited

Lilly Asia Ventures

Work highlights

Advised Inspiration Capital Partners, on its leveraged acquisition of Antute (Beijing) Technology Limited.
Advised Cloudview Technology Limited on its Series A preferred shares financing round, with investments from a well-known South East Asian sovereign fund and existing shareholders, Tencent and Transsion.
Advised Lilly Asia Ventures, one of the lead investors, in the Series A financing of Precede Biosciences, Inc.

China > Regulatory/compliance: foreign firms Tier 4

Sidley Austin LLP is sought out by pharmaceutical companies, as well as biotechnology, automotive, and technology enterprises for its expertise on anti-corruption compliance, cybersecurity and data privacy, and international trade compliance. Practice head Lei Li provides clients with on the ground assistance from Beijing and Shanghai, and is adept at matters involving Chinese, EU, and US laws. Li's background experience in the Chinese government helps him assist life sciences clients in regulatory, compliance, and government enforcement mandates.

Leading individuals

Lei Li - Sidley Austin LLP

Practice head(s):

Lei Li

Other key lawyers:

Yikai Wang

Testimonials

‘Lei Li has extensive experience in legal compliance, especially within the pharmaceutical industry. He is honest, trustworthy, and has a strong sense of morality. He maintains an open attitude towards new things and is willing to share his opinions frankly.’

Work highlights

China > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms

Firms to watch

Sidley Austin LLP‘s Mainland China offices field Ruchun Ji, who is experienced in advising companies from emerging and growth sectors, such as life sciences, healthcare and technology, and Zhengyu Tang, who leads the firm’s inbound investment, M&A and regulatory compliance practice in China.

Chair of Executive Committee: Michael J. Schmidtberger

Chair of the Management Committee: Yvette Ostolaza

Number of lawyers worldwide: Over 2,300

Number of partners: Over 650

Asia Pacific Offices: Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo

International Offices: Boston, Brussels, Century City, Chicago, Dallas, Geneva, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Munich, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Washington, DC

Firm Overview:

Sidley is one of the few international law firms to have continuously maintained on-the-ground capabilities to serve clients in Asia Pacific for 40 years. The firm now has approximately 230 legal professionals based in six offices across the region, and provides Singapore, US, Hong Kong, English and Japanese law advice to clients where and when they need it.

Main Areas of Practice: