Aaron R. Gardner

Sanofi, Formation Bio, and OpenAI have announced that they are collaborating to build AI-powered software to accelerate drug development and bring new medicines to patients more efficiently. The three teams will bring together data, software, and tuned models to develop custom, purpose-built solutions across the drug development lifecycle. This represents a first collaboration of its kind within the pharma and life sciences industries. Sanofi will leverage this partnership to provide access to proprietary data to develop AI models as it continues on its path to becoming the first biopharma company powered by AI at scale. Latham & Watkins advised Sanofi in the agreement, with a deal team led by New York partner Aaron Gardner, Boston partner Sarah Gagan, and Bay Area partner Ben Potter, with associates Deborah Hinck and Michael Sweeney.~~

May 22

1 min

Immunome, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMNM) and Zentalis® Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZNTL), have announced that they have entered into an exclusive, worldwide license agreement under which Immunome has licensed from Zentalis ZPC-21, a preclinical ROR1 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) with best-in-class potential on track for IND submission in 1Q 2025, and Zentalis’ proprietary ADC platform technology. Latham & Watkins LLP advised Zentalis in the transaction with a licensing team led by New York partner Aaron Gardner, with San Diego associate Robert Yeh, and a corporate team led by New York partners Nathan Ajiashvili and Salvatore Vanchieri, with associate Matthew DeSilva.~~

Jan 8

1 min

Latham & Watkins LLP1 is pleased to announce that Aaron Gardner has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in the Corporate Department and as a member of the Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice Group. Gardner focuses his practice on M&A and licensing transactions across the life sciences industry. “Aaron is a welcome addition to the New York office as well as the Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice Group,” said Marc Jaffe, Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ New York office. “His broad transactional experience, diverse skillset, and unique perspective will complement our team, and be an asset to clients in New York and around the globe.” Gardner represents pharmaceutical, biotechnology, consumer nutrition and medical device companies, and their investors, on a wide range of commercial transactions, including licenses, collaborations, product divestitures, option transactions, carve-outs, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and mergers and acquisitions. His experience covers the full span of the product life cycle, as well as various therapeutic areas and modalities. Judith Hasko, Vice Chair of Latham’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice, said: “Aaron has impressive depth and versatility across complex transactional matters, which distinguishes him from others in the field. The synergies between his practice and our cutting-edge life sciences offerings make him a strong fit for our dynamic team. Aaron’s arrival also reinforces our commitment to growing with our life sciences clients, providing them the best possible service, and ensuring we stay ahead of industry trends.” “I am excited to join Latham’s premier Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice and admire the investments the firm has made to its life sciences platform,” said Gardner. “Latham is a true one-stop shop for comprehensive representation, and I’m excited to contribute to their continued growth.” Gardner received his JD from Brooklyn Law School in 2005 and his BS, cum laude, from Ohio State University in 2002. Gardner joins Latham from Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP in New York. About Latham & Watkins Latham & Watkins delivers innovative solutions to complex legal and business challenges around the world. From a global platform, our lawyers advise clients on market-shaping transactions, high-stakes litigation and trials, and sophisticated regulatory matters. Latham is one of the world’s largest providers of pro bono services, steadfastly supports initiatives designed to advance diversity within the firm and the legal profession, and is committed to exploring and promoting environmental sustainability. Notes to Editors 1 Latham & Watkins operates worldwide as a limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (USA) with affiliated limited liability partnerships conducting the practice in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, and the United Kingdom and as an affiliated partnership conducting the practice in Japan. Latham & Watkins operates in Israel through a limited liability company. Latham & Watkins operates in South Korea as a Foreign Legal Consultant Office. Latham & Watkins works in cooperation with the Law Firm of Salman M. Al-Sudairi, a limited liability company, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Oct 10

2 min

The U.S. Supreme Court refused Monday to review a bid from LegitScript to duck an antitrust case accusing it of blacklisting a drug price checking website despite contentions that it facilitates illegal imports of prescription drugs. The justices denied a petition from the pharmacy verification and monitoring service provider in an order list without explanation, as is customary. LegitScript was asking the high court to review whether PharmacyChecker.com has standing to bring its antitrust claims even though a main part of its business is allegedly helping to facilitate unlawful activity. The petition came after the Ninth Circuit affirmed an Oregon federal court's ruling in May that denied a summary judgment bid from LegitScript, finding that "unclean hands" is not a permissible defense to liability in an antitrust suit. An attorney for PharmacyChecker.com, Aaron R. Gott of Bona Law PC, told Law360 on Monday the justices' denial of the petition was not surprising. "LegitScript sought certiorari on a legal question of antitrust standing on which there is no circuit split, and its factual premise — that PharmacyChecker's business mainly is to help facilitate illegal importation — was rejected as unsupported by evidence in the courts below," Gott said. "We weren't bracing for a decision on this, and we doubt LegitScript was, either." A representative for LegitScript told Law360 on Monday the company does not comment on pending litigation. PharmacyChecker accuses LegitScript and several industry groups of conspiring with search engines, social media companies and payment intermediaries to suppress its traffic in an effort to block competition from international pharmacies that offer lower drug prices. LegitScript and the pharmacy associations have argued that the supposed blacklisting is aimed at preventing illegal imports and not at suppressing competition. LegitScript convinced a court in New York to dismiss the claims against it in 2021 based on a lack of personal jurisdiction, prompting PharmacyChecker to get that part of the case transferred to Oregon, where it survived another dismissal attempt. PharmacyChecker is continuing to press false advertising claims against the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and other industry groups in New York after having its antitrust claims tossed on summary judgment. The court there based its ruling on the argument that PharmacyChecker was suing to protect a business "completely or almost completely geared towards facilitating illegality." LegitScript moved for summary judgment on the claims in Oregon following the ruling in New York. However, U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon found in January last year that PharmacyChecker does have standing because it has broken no law and is "merely facilitating illegal activity by third parties, among other lawful activities." The Ninth Circuit rejected LegitScript's appeal in May, concluding that the defense of unclean hands doesn't bar the lawsuit. In its decision, the Ninth Circuit also said LegitScript didn't provide evidence suggesting PharmacyChecker itself illegally imported any foreign drugs, or that its business almost exclusively involved facilitating the illegal importation of foreign drugs. In its high court petition, LegitScript argued that the Ninth Circuit "elevates antitrust policy above all others — including policies directed at ensuring public safety, such as the policies behind the prohibition on importation of foreign drugs — with little to no justification." LegitScript is represented by Christopher J. Pallanch and Sasha A. Petrova of Tonkon Torp LLP. PharmacyChecker.com is represented by Philip S. Van Der Weele of K&L Gates LLP and Aaron R. Gott and James F. Lerner of Bona Law PC. The case is LegitScript LLC v. PharmacyChecker.com LLC, case number 25-223, in the Supreme Court of the United States.

Oct 6

3 min