BioPharm InsightCites Ropes & Gray as Top Legal Advisor by Global Value in 2014

BioPharm Insight, a leading life sciences-focused news service and market analytics guide, ranked Ropes & Gray as the top legal advisor for licensing transactions globally by value in 2014.

Ropes & Gray led the global value table and the North American value table with 19 licensing transactions in 2014 valued at $5.9 billion. The firm’s performance was bolstered by a strong fourth quarter, with Ropes & Gray advising on six deals valued at $4 billion. The firm’s work in 2014 included:

• Advising Pfizer concerning a collaborative agreement with Germany's Merck KGaA to develop and market an anti-PD-L1 antibody designed to treat various types of tumors. Pursuant to the agreement, Merck will receive $850 million for the opportunity to develop the drug with Pfizer, and could receive an additional $2 billion in milestone payments, dependent on regulatory review and commercial performance. This matter represents the largest deal in the pharmaceuticals industry for a single asset in Phase 2 development.

“We are grateful for the trust and confidence that our clients place in our team with their most important strategic transactions,” said Ropes & Gray partner Marc Rubenstein, co-chair of the firm’s global life sciences practice. “The value and volume of licensing deals that Ropes & Gray handled last year reflect that level of trust and confidence.”

Companies around the world turn to Ropes & Gray’s global life sciences practice for internationally recognized counsel on virtually all matters impacting biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device businesses. For more information on our life sciences capabilities, click here.