The Week at Ropes & Gray

This week, Ropes & Gray attorneys advised leading private equity firms on new funds and transactions and examined developments in health care, investment management litigation and intellectual property law. The firm was also recognized by Law360 as a top law firm in Massachusetts. Here’s a summary of the week’s highlights:

• Private equity firm Freeman Spogli announced the final close of FS Equity Partners VIII at its hard cap of $1.85 billion in capital commitments. Ropes & Gray served as legal counsel to Freeman Spigoli on the fundraise. 
• TPG Capital agreed to acquire CollabNet VersionOne, a leading software delivery platform provider, from Vector Capital. Ropes & Gray advised TPG Capital on the transaction. 
• Private equity firm Avista Capital Partners acquired GCM Holding Corporation, a provider of manufacturing solutions for the medtech industry, from May River Capital LLC. Ropes & Gray advised Avista.
• In the latest installment of Non-binding Guidance, Ropes & Gray’s podcast series focused on FDA regulatory law, life sciences regulatory & compliance partners Greg Levine and Kellie Combs provide an overview of the four FDA expedited review programs for drugs and biologics. The partners discuss the eligibility criteria and benefits associated with each program, and describe timing and other practical issues for product manufacturers to consider.
• In a new investment management litigation-focused podcast, litigation & enforcement partners Amy Roy and Rob Skinner discuss the recent federal court decision rejecting claims of excessive mutual fund advisory fees. The attorneys examine the key arguments and evidence relied upon by the court. 
• User agreements for apps and devices used in research studies—like Fitbits and Apple Watches—typically allow companies to take that data and use it elsewhere for research, even though consent form language often promises clinical trial participants that their data will not leave the study site. In Bloomberg Law, health care associate David Peloquin explains how a change in user agreement language can help companies avoid conflicting information and remain compliant. 
• The Trump administration and U.S. Congress are poised to make pivotal policy decisions on drug pricing this fall. Health care partner Tom Bulleit examines the debates surrounding these initiatives in Law360.
• Courts have taken different views of a rule limiting arguments that patent challengers can make following inter partes review at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. IP litigation partner Scott McKeown considers whether estoppel provisions can extend to physical products in Law360.
• Ropes & Gray was recognized as one of Law360’s “Massachusetts Powerhouses,” topping the 2019 list according to headcount in the state. Law360 highlighted the firm’s impressive roster of clients and matters—in the United States and globally—as well as its culture of diversity and commitment to pro bono.
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