Feifei Bian

Sidley represented SanReno Therapeutics (SanReno), a clinical-stage company specializing in the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative therapies for kidney diseases, in its acquisition by Novartis, a global medicines company. Following the acquisition’s closure, SanReno becomes an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Novartis. The founding investors of SanReno, including Pivotal bioVenture Partners China, Frazier Life Sciences, Samsara BioCapital, and Versant Ventures, have sold their equity securities in SanReno. Established in late 2021 as a joint venture between the investor consortium and Chinook Therapeutics (now part of Novartis), SanReno holds exclusive rights in Greater China and Singapore for two late-stage assets targeting Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN): atrasentan and zigakibart. Sidley previously represented the investor consortium in connection with the founding of SanReno and the licensing of the two assets from Chinook Therapeutics. The multidisciplinary Sidley team was led by partner Ruchun Ji. The transaction involved a cross-border team working across several practice areas, including the following: Corporate and M&A: partners Ruchun Ji, Feifei Bian, and Robert Darwin, senior managing associate Jing Peng, associates Jihyun (Jamie) Yoon and Rui Liu; PRC Employment: counsel Ling Chen; Employee Benefits: partner Eric Wolf and associate Ryan McLeod; and Tax: partners Rachel Kleinberg and Oliver Currall, senior managing associate Jonathan Westreich, and associate Fraser Tudor. Sidley’s Global Life Sciences practice, which comprises more than 200 dedicated lawyers globally, offers cross-disciplinary, full-service solutions for life science clients, ranging from M&A and private equity, licensing and collaboration transactions, capital markets, regulatory compliance and enforcement, and dispute resolutions, assisting biotech and pharmaceutical clients around the world. Sidley’s China Life Sciences practice, an integral part of the firm’s Global Life Sciences practice, is the only Band One international firm ranked by Chambers Asia Pacific/Greater China Region for 14 consecutive years.~~Sidley represented SanReno Therapeutics (SanReno), a clinical-stage company specializing in the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative therapies for kidney diseases, in its acquisition by Novartis, a global medicines company. Following the acquisition’s closure, SanReno becomes an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Novartis. The founding investors of SanReno, including Pivotal bioVenture Partners China, Frazier Life Sciences, Samsara BioCapital, and Versant Ventures, have sold their equity securities in SanReno. Established in late 2021 as a joint venture between the investor consortium and Chinook Therapeutics (now part of Novartis), SanReno holds exclusive rights in Greater China and Singapore for two late-stage assets targeting Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN): atrasentan and zigakibart. Sidley previously represented the investor consortium in connection with the founding of SanReno and the licensing of the two assets from Chinook Therapeutics. The multidisciplinary Sidley team was led by partner Ruchun Ji. The transaction involved a cross-border team working across several practice areas, including the following: Corporate and M&A: partners Ruchun Ji, Feifei Bian, and Robert Darwin, senior managing associate Jing Peng, associates Jihyun (Jamie) Yoon and Rui Liu; PRC Employment: counsel Ling Chen; Employee Benefits: partner Eric Wolf and associate Ryan McLeod; and Tax: partners Rachel Kleinberg and Oliver Currall, senior managing associate Jonathan Westreich, and associate Fraser Tudor. Sidley’s Global Life Sciences practice, which comprises more than 200 dedicated lawyers globally, offers cross-disciplinary, full-service solutions for life science clients, ranging from M&A and private equity, licensing and collaboration transactions, capital markets, regulatory compliance and enforcement, and dispute resolutions, assisting biotech and pharmaceutical clients around the world. Sidley’s China Life Sciences practice, an integral part of the firm’s Global Life Sciences practice, is the only Band One international firm ranked by Chambers Asia Pacific/Greater China Region for 14 consecutive years.

Jan 5

3 min

A Sidley team represented ICON Aircraft, Inc. (ICON), a California-based manufacturer of light-sport aircraft, in its filing for Chapter 11 protection in Delaware on April 4, 2024, citing more than US$170 million in debt and plans to sell off substantially all of its assets. In its filings, ICON stated that the money it borrowed to develop its Icon A5, a single-engine, two-seat amphibious plane, and deal with various production problems left it in unsustainable debt and unable to find a buyer outside Chapter 11. The company owes US$105.4 million on a series of convertible notes issued between 2020 and 2023 and another US$65 million on five unsecured notes issued between 2020 and March this year. ICON estimates it has another US$3.3 million in unpaid invoices and other general unsecured debt. The team included Vijay Sekhon (Private Equity); Sam Newman, Charles Persons, Jeri Leigh Miller, Nathan Elner, Amanda Rahie, and Francesca Sadler (Restructuring); Feifei Bian, Yabo Lin, and BinQuan Zhuang (M&A); Banks Bruce, Daniel Burkhart, and Mary Kathryn Field (Global Finance); Joshua Hofheimer and Zach Johnston (Technology and Life Sciences Transactions); Katherine Roberts and Emily Wajert (Labor, Employment and Immigration); and Matthew Dolan (Securities and Shareholder Litigation).~~A Sidley team represented ICON Aircraft, Inc. (ICON), a California-based manufacturer of light-sport aircraft, in its filing for Chapter 11 protection in Delaware on April 4, 2024, citing more than US$170 million in debt and plans to sell off substantially all of its assets. In its filings, ICON stated that the money it borrowed to develop its Icon A5, a single-engine, two-seat amphibious plane, and deal with various production problems left it in unsustainable debt and unable to find a buyer outside Chapter 11. The company owes US$105.4 million on a series of convertible notes issued between 2020 and 2023 and another US$65 million on five unsecured notes issued between 2020 and March this year. ICON estimates it has another US$3.3 million in unpaid invoices and other general unsecured debt. The team included Vijay Sekhon (Private Equity); Sam Newman, Charles Persons, Jeri Leigh Miller, Nathan Elner, Amanda Rahie, and Francesca Sadler (Restructuring); Feifei Bian, Yabo Lin, and BinQuan Zhuang (M&A); Banks Bruce, Daniel Burkhart, and Mary Kathryn Field (Global Finance); Joshua Hofheimer and Zach Johnston (Technology and Life Sciences Transactions); Katherine Roberts and Emily Wajert (Labor, Employment and Immigration); and Matthew Dolan (Securities and Shareholder Litigation).

Apr 8

2 min

Sidley represented ReCode Therapeutics, a clinical-stage genetic medicines company, in the closing of an extension to its Series B financing. The extension raised an additional US$50 million, for a total of US$260 million in Series B funding, from new investors that included Bioluminescence Ventures and Solasta Ventures and existing investors that included OrbiMed Advisors, AyurMaya, an affiliate of Matrix Capital Management, Leaps by Bayer, Vida Ventures, MPM Capital, EcoR1 Capital, Sanofi Ventures, and Amgen Ventures, among others. Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance ReCode’s primary ciliary dyskinesia and cystic fibrosis clinical development programs and to expand ReCode’s selective organ targeting pipeline to include mRNA and gene correction therapeutics for central nervous system, lung, liver, and musculoskeletal indications. The Sidley team was led by James Lu (Emerging Companies and Venture Capital) and Feifei Bian (M&A and Private Equity), and included Daniel E. Gessner, Peiyu Yu, and Cyril Cutinha (M&A and Private Equity); Daniel Wei (Emerging Companies and Venture Capital); Mike Heinz (Capital Markets); and James Mendenhall (International Trade).~~Sidley represented ReCode Therapeutics, a clinical-stage genetic medicines company, in the closing of an extension to its Series B financing. The extension raised an additional US$50 million, for a total of US$260 million in Series B funding, from new investors that included Bioluminescence Ventures and Solasta Ventures and existing investors that included OrbiMed Advisors, AyurMaya, an affiliate of Matrix Capital Management, Leaps by Bayer, Vida Ventures, MPM Capital, EcoR1 Capital, Sanofi Ventures, and Amgen Ventures, among others. Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance ReCode’s primary ciliary dyskinesia and cystic fibrosis clinical development programs and to expand ReCode’s selective organ targeting pipeline to include mRNA and gene correction therapeutics for central nervous system, lung, liver, and musculoskeletal indications. The Sidley team was led by James Lu (Emerging Companies and Venture Capital) and Feifei Bian (M&A and Private Equity), and included Daniel E. Gessner, Peiyu Yu, and Cyril Cutinha (M&A and Private Equity); Daniel Wei (Emerging Companies and Venture Capital); Mike Heinz (Capital Markets); and James Mendenhall (International Trade).

Sep 19

2 min

Sidley is representing Vector Capital in its AU$183 million acquisition of Bigtincan Holdings Limited (ASX: BTH), which is the result of a topping bid Vector launched in relation to a previously announced acquisition. On December 4, the Bigtincan board of directors terminated the prior acquisition, entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Vector, and unanimously recommended that Bigtingcan shareholders approve the transaction. Bigtincan is a provider of sales enablement software and AI solutions that has served thousands of sales and marketing organizations for the world’s leading brands. Its product portfolio helps clients enhance salesforce effectiveness through collateral management, training, and generative AI-driven content creation and transaction emulations to reduce sales cycles and improve conversion rates. Vector Capital is a leading investment firm focused on middle-market technology and technology-enabled businesses. The global Sidley deal team is being led by Martin Wellington and Feifei Bian (M&A and Private Equity), and includes Sara M. Carian, Genevieve C. Edye, Karin Baca, Eric Zhao, and Stanley Amoah (M&A and Private Equity); Nicholas Carballo and Teresa A. Napoli (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Anna Remis, Dusan Clark, Garrett Sciortino, and Rochelle C. Mulondo (Technology and Life Sciences Transactions); Angela Fontana, Sean Damm, Kyle Gromann, and Caroline Roberts (Global Finance); Ken Daly and Vadim Brusser (Antitrust and Competition); Rebecca Stuart, Alex Down, and Allison C. Ivey Toth (Employment); and Stephen W. McInerney (Privacy and Cybersecurity).~~Sidley is representing Vector Capital in its AU$183 million acquisition of Bigtincan Holdings Limited (ASX: BTH), which is the result of a topping bid Vector launched in relation to a previously announced acquisition. On December 4, the Bigtincan board of directors terminated the prior acquisition, entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Vector, and unanimously recommended that Bigtingcan shareholders approve the transaction. Bigtincan is a provider of sales enablement software and AI solutions that has served thousands of sales and marketing organizations for the world’s leading brands. Its product portfolio helps clients enhance salesforce effectiveness through collateral management, training, and generative AI-driven content creation and transaction emulations to reduce sales cycles and improve conversion rates. Vector Capital is a leading investment firm focused on middle-market technology and technology-enabled businesses. The global Sidley deal team is being led by Martin Wellington and Feifei Bian (M&A and Private Equity), and includes Sara M. Carian, Genevieve C. Edye, Karin Baca, Eric Zhao, and Stanley Amoah (M&A and Private Equity); Nicholas Carballo and Teresa A. Napoli (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Anna Remis, Dusan Clark, Garrett Sciortino, and Rochelle C. Mulondo (Technology and Life Sciences Transactions); Angela Fontana, Sean Damm, Kyle Gromann, and Caroline Roberts (Global Finance); Ken Daly and Vadim Brusser (Antitrust and Competition); Rebecca Stuart, Alex Down, and Allison C. Ivey Toth (Employment); and Stephen W. McInerney (Privacy and Cybersecurity).

Dec 5

2 min

Sidley is representing ContextLogic, Inc. (NASDAQ: WISH) in its agreement to sell substantially all of its operating assets and liabilities, principally comprising its Wish e-commerce platform, to Qoo10, an e-commerce platform operating localized online marketplaces in Asia, for US$173 million in cash, subject to certain purchase price adjustments. After the closing of the transaction, which is subject to stockholder approval, ContextLogic’s primary asset will consist of US$2.7 billion of U.S. federal income tax net operating losses. Accordingly, Sidley also advised ContextLogic in connection with its adoption of a tax benefits preservation plan. Wish is a global e-commerce platform that uses technology and data science capabilities and a discovery-based mobile shopping experience to create a personalized shopping experience for its users. The Sidley team is being led by Mark Metts, Sharon R. Flanagan, Sally Wagner Partin, and Feifei Bian (M&A), and includes Daniel J. Belke, Paul L. Choi, Derek Zaba, Ling Chen, David A. Azcarraga, Ellen E. Hunter, Alex Enion, Eric S. Goodwin, Taylor N. Todd, and Tong Tong (M&A); Vadim M. Brusser, Patrick J. Harrison, and Bethany Wise (Antitrust and Competition); Alexius Chong, Samir A. Gandhi and Adam M. Gross (Capital Markets); Maseeh Moradi (Commercial Litigation and Disputes); Teresa A. Napoli and Madeline Clasen (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Scott J.F. Goldstein (Insurance); Eric Kauffman and Maeve Gillespie (Labor and Employment); Ash Nagdev and Garrett M. Lance (Privacy and Cybersecurity); William E. Curtin and Jake A. Landreth (Restructuring); Rachel D. Kleinberg, Jonathan M. Westreich, and Alvin Wang (Tax); and Rachelle Soderstrom and Daphne Chen (Technology and Life Sciences Transactions).~~Sidley is representing ContextLogic, Inc. (NASDAQ: WISH) in its agreement to sell substantially all of its operating assets and liabilities, principally comprising its Wish e-commerce platform, to Qoo10, an e-commerce platform operating localized online marketplaces in Asia, for US$173 million in cash, subject to certain purchase price adjustments. After the closing of the transaction, which is subject to stockholder approval, ContextLogic’s primary asset will consist of US$2.7 billion of U.S. federal income tax net operating losses. Accordingly, Sidley also advised ContextLogic in connection with its adoption of a tax benefits preservation plan. Wish is a global e-commerce platform that uses technology and data science capabilities and a discovery-based mobile shopping experience to create a personalized shopping experience for its users. The Sidley team is being led by Mark Metts, Sharon R. Flanagan, Sally Wagner Partin, and Feifei Bian (M&A), and includes Daniel J. Belke, Paul L. Choi, Derek Zaba, Ling Chen, David A. Azcarraga, Ellen E. Hunter, Alex Enion, Eric S. Goodwin, Taylor N. Todd, and Tong Tong (M&A); Vadim M. Brusser, Patrick J. Harrison, and Bethany Wise (Antitrust and Competition); Alexius Chong, Samir A. Gandhi and Adam M. Gross (Capital Markets); Maseeh Moradi (Commercial Litigation and Disputes); Teresa A. Napoli and Madeline Clasen (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Scott J.F. Goldstein (Insurance); Eric Kauffman and Maeve Gillespie (Labor and Employment); Ash Nagdev and Garrett M. Lance (Privacy and Cybersecurity); William E. Curtin and Jake A. Landreth (Restructuring); Rachel D. Kleinberg, Jonathan M. Westreich, and Alvin Wang (Tax); and Rachelle Soderstrom and Daphne Chen (Technology and Life Sciences Transactions).

Feb 13

2 min