Life Sciences Transactions

VLP Practice Area

Life Sciences Transactions

Bringing life sciences innovations from discovery to market requires legal counsel who understand both the science and the business of the industry. Companies developing novel drugs, biologics, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health technologies—as well as the companies that provide products, data, and technology solutions that enable their development—rely on advisors who can navigate the complex web of regulatory, commercial, and intellectual property issues that define their success. Our life sciences transactions attorneys counsel life sciences clients on the full spectrum of agreements that support research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization activities. We advise on licensing and collaboration arrangements, clinical trial and research agreements, CRO, CMO, and CDMO relationships, supply and distribution contracts, and strategic alliances. We also represent companies that provide products and services to the life sciences sector—such as laboratory services providers, data and analytics platforms, SaaS companies supporting clinical or research operations, and suppliers of critical materials and components. We work with life sciences companies at every stage of growth—from emerging biotechnology startups to established global manufacturers—to help them achieve practical, business-oriented outcomes. Drawing on deep industry experience and technical understanding, our attorneys deliver efficient, senior-level counsel that advances innovation, protects valuable assets, and supports our clients’ objectives in a highly regulated and rapidly evolving marketplace.

Core Services

We help life sciences companies establish the collaborations and service relationships that accelerate scientific discovery and product development.

Preparing and negotiating sponsored research, collaboration, and feasibility agreements
Advising on CRO, laboratory services and other research service and data-sharing arrangements supporting product innovation
Advising on evaluation and option agreements for technology or compound access
Developing templates and frameworks for recurring research and development engagements

We support life sciences clients in structuring and executing licensing and transfer arrangements that unlock the value of proprietary technologies and innovations.

Structuring inbound and outbound IP and technology license agreements
Negotiating option, evaluation, and material transfer arrangements
Advising on university and research institution technology transfer transactions
Supporting joint development and co-commercialization agreements involving shared IP

We guide life sciences clients in addressing regulatory and compliance obligations that shape research, manufacturing, and commercial relationships.

Advising on HIPAA, data privacy, confidentiality and security compliance in commercial agreements
Addressing anti-kickback, fraud-and-abuse, and healthcare regulatory considerations
Drafting and reviewing regulatory representations, warranties, and certifications
Supporting compliance frameworks for clinical, manufacturing, and commercial operations

We assist life sciences clients in building the operational frameworks that enable efficient, compliant, and scalable product supply and distribution.

Preparing and negotiating manufacturing, supply, and distribution agreements
Advising on CMO, CDMO, and other production-related relationships
Addressing quality, regulatory, and risk allocation provisions in supply arrangements
Negotiating co-promotion, co-marketing, and distribution arrangements for commercialized products
Developing standard forms and playbooks for recurring manufacturing and distribution transactions

We advise life sciences clients on partnerships that combine complementary capabilities and advance innovation across the industry.

Advising on alliances combining complementary technologies or commercial capabilities
Negotiating strategic partnerships that expand product portfolios or market access
Structuring equity-based or milestone-driven collaboration arrangements
Supporting joint initiatives between life sciences innovators and technology or data companies
Developing frameworks and governance models for long-term partnering relationships

We represent both life sciences companies and their suppliers and service providers in structuring commercially effective agreements that support research, manufacturing, and operational needs.

Preparing and negotiating customer, supplier, and service agreements for life sciences operations
Advising on SaaS, data platform, and digital health service arrangements
Supporting procurement and outsourcing transactions for laboratory, manufacturing, and logistics services
Developing standardized contracting tools for recurring supplier and customer relationships

Our Practice Group Members

Every client relationship at VLP is partner-led, strategy-driven, and tailored for today's agile business landscape. Our attorneys combine the polish of Big Law with the responsiveness of an elite, lean team -- you will always work with a senior attorney -- giving you confidence, clarity, and seasoned perspective, not matter what your business needs. Our technology transactions team helps you navigate the intersection of law, technology, and innovation with clarity and confidence. We bring deep experience in commercial, intellectual property, and data privacy matters to every engagement—helping you move quickly, manage risk, and protect the technology and data that drive your business forward.