Sidley Austin LLP provides a holistic life sciences offering, covering representation in major arbitrations, compliance and cybersecurity advice and assistance with innovative financings such as the royalty backed and hybrid financings the firm has overseen on behalf of RBF. Clients note the firm’s understanding of ‘China’s unique environment’. The team is jointly led by Lei Li, a product registration, clinical trials, distribution and licensing expert, and Chen Yang, a China market entrance specialist who also has significant experience in assisting PRC government agencies with litigation in the US. Ruchun Ji, who works on cross-border licensing agreements and private equity transactions, is a further name to note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Sidley Austin's life science team has many years of practical experience in China's medical industry. Their legal support is not only professional, but also very pragmatic and considers China's unique environment.’

  • ‘Li Lei has rich experience in anti-monopoly, anti-commercial bribery and related investigations.' 

Key clients

  • China Association of Enterprise with Foreign Investment R&D-Based Pharmaceutical Association Committee (RDPAC)
  • R-Bridge Healthcare Fund, managed by CBC Group
  • NeuroFront Therapeutics (Hong Kong) Limited
  • Rona Therapeutics, Inc.
  • I-Mab Biopharma Co., Ltd.
  • Keymed Biosciences
  • MicroPort NeuroTech
  • Genuine Biotech Limited
  • Qyuns Therapeutics Co., Ltd.
  • Akeso, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Advising RDPAC on revising its Code of Practice, with the revised code being brought in during March 2023.
  • Represented I-Mab Biopharma Co., Ltd. (I-Mab) in a multi-year-long ICC arbitration against Tracon Pharmaceuticals concerning antibodies to be used in cancer treatment.
  • Advised R-Bridge Healthcare Fund (RBF), a fund managed by healthcare-dedicated asset management firm CBC Group, on two biopharma and healthcare financings, including one royalty-backed financing.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Lei Li, Chen Yang

Other key lawyers

Ruchun Ji