Kenneth Krisko

Cooley advised Araris Biotech, a Swiss biotechnology company developing next-generation antibody-drug conjugates, on its definitive agreement to be acquired by Japan-based Taiho Pharmaceutical for up to $1.14 billion in cash.

Cooley advised Poseida Therapeutics, a clinical-stage allogeneic cell therapy and genetic medicines company advancing differentiated nonviral treatments for patients with cancer, autoimmune and rare diseases, on its merger agreement to be acquired by Roche at a price of $9 per share in cash at closing, plus a non-tradable contingent value right to receive up to an aggregate of $4 per share in cash, payable upon achievement of specified milestones. The price payable at closing represents a total equity value of up to $1.5 billion and a premium of approximately 215% to Poseida’s closing share price on November 25, 2024. Cooley previously represented Poseida in its initial public offering, equity and debt transactions, and collaboration agreements, including its collaboration agreement with Roche.

Cooley advised Aclaris Therapeutics (Nasdaq: ACRS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel drug candidates for immuno-inflammatory diseases, on its exclusive license agreement with Biosion and $80 million private placement.

Cooley advised Alentis Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for Claudin-1 positive tumors and organ fibrosis, on its $181.4 million oversubscribed Series D financing round. Partners Brandon Fenn and Ryan Sansom led the Cooley team advising Alentis Therapeutics.

Cooley advised Adaptive Phage Therapeutics, a US-based, privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of phage-based therapies to combat bacterial infections, on its definitive merger agreement with BiomX, a clinical-stage company advancing novel natural and engineered phage therapies that target specific pathogenic bacteria.