Press Release

Cooley Enhances Corporate Life Sciences Capabilities

Boston office grows as 10th anniversary of New England launch approaches
March 2, 2017

Boston – March 2, 2017 – Cooley is bolstering its life sciences practice with the addition of partner Ryan Sansom, who arrives from Goodwin.

Sansom’s practice focuses on advising emerging life sciences companies across a range of sectors, including biotech, medtech and healthcare. In addition to advising privately held and publicly traded emerging companies, he frequently represents VC firms on their investments and companies and underwriters on public offerings.

“Ryan’s arrival will further strengthen Cooley’s dominant life sciences practice,” said Heidi Erlacher, partner in charge of Cooley’s Boston office. “In New England, nationally and globally, our brand as the go-to firm is strengthened. This is a great addition for Boston as we prepare to celebrate our 10th anniversary in this city. We have never been so capable to handle tech, life sciences and major litigation matters.”

“Cooley’s track record of acting as a springboard for disruptive companies to succeed in the life sciences and tech sectors speaks for itself,” Sansom said. “I’m eager to get started with the team in Boston and leverage my industry knowledge to help boost the firm’s already powerful platform.”

This year in Boston, Cooley will celebrate 10 years since launching in the city. Since then, the office has experienced exponential growth and is now home to more than 120 lawyers and staff. In 2016, Cooley expanded its life sciences practice with the addition of three preeminent East Coast life sciences partners – Jeffrey Libson, Geoffrey Starr and Manya Deehr. This followed the arrival of a large life sciences IP team in Boston from Mintz Levin, led by partners Ivor Elrifi and Heidi Erlacher. Recently, Cooley Boston corporate teams have worked on the Charles River Laboratories acquisition of Agilux Laboratories and the IPOs of Myovant Sciences, Selecta Biosciences and Novan.

Cooley is #1 in life sciences venture financings 2013 – 2016; #1 in issuer-side life sciences and healthcare IPOs since 2000; #1 for global biotech and pharma M&A by volume in 2016; and #1 for life sciences shareholder litigation defense. Cooley also has the largest life sciences patent team of any law firm in the United States. The firm has helped emerging life sciences companies raise $3+ billion in venture financings in the past two years.

About Cooley LLP

Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters, and high-stakes litigation, where innovation meets the law.

Cooley has 900 lawyers across 12 offices in the United States, China and Europe.

This content is provided for general informational purposes only, and your access or use of the content does not create an attorney-client relationship between you or your organization and Cooley LLP, Cooley (UK) LLP, or any other affiliated practice or entity (collectively referred to as “Cooley”). By accessing this content, you agree that the information provided does not constitute legal or other professional advice. This content is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction and you should not act or refrain from acting based on this content. This content may be changed without notice. It is not guaranteed to be complete, correct or up to date, and it may not reflect the most current legal developments. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Do not send any confidential information to Cooley, as we do not have any duty to keep any information you provide to us confidential. This content may be considered Attorney Advertising and is subject to our legal notices.