James Lu

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 represented Keymed Biosciences, a China-based, publicly traded (Hong Kong Exchange, Stock Code: 02162) biopharmaceutical company in the out-licensing of CMG901, a potential first-in-class Claudin 18.2 antibody drug conjugate (ADC) to AstraZeneca (NASDAQ: AZN). Under the license agreement, AstraZeneca will be responsible for the research, development, manufacture, and commercialization of CMG901 globally. Under the terms of the agreement, KYM Biosciences, the joint venture established by Keymed and Lepu Biopharma, will receive an upfront payment of US$63 million on transaction closing and additional development and sales-related milestone payments of up to US$1.1 billion, as well as tiered royalties of up to low double-digits. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory clearances. The Sidley team was led by James Lu (Emerging Companies and Venture Capital), Stephen Abreu, and Longbo Wang (Technology and Life Sciences Transactions), and Ed Sharon (Antitrust/Competition), and includes Cassidy Pomeroy-Carter and Ashleigh Lussenden (Technology and Life Sciences Transactions); William Blumenthal and Jason Semmes (Antitrust/Competition); Oliver Zhong (Capital Markets); Emma Ballard (Commercial Litigation and Disputes); Scott Nonaka (Global Arbitration, Trade and Advocacy); Cynthia Bai (Global Finance); and Pan Chen (M&A). Additional details are available in the press release.~~Sidley represented Keymed Biosciences, a China-based, publicly traded (Hong Kong Exchange, Stock Code: 02162) biopharmaceutical company in the out-licensing of CMG901, a potential first-in-class Claudin 18.2 antibody drug conjugate (ADC) to AstraZeneca (NASDAQ: AZN). Under the license agreement, AstraZeneca will be responsible for the research, development, manufacture, and commercialization of CMG901 globally. Under the terms of the agreement, KYM Biosciences, the joint venture established by Keymed and Lepu Biopharma, will receive an upfront payment of US$63 million on transaction closing and additional development and sales-related milestone payments of up to US$1.1 billion, as well as tiered royalties of up to low double-digits. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory clearances. The Sidley team was led by James Lu (Emerging Companies and Venture Capital), Stephen Abreu, and Longbo Wang (Technology and Life Sciences Transactions), and Ed Sharon (Antitrust/Competition), and includes Cassidy Pomeroy-Carter and Ashleigh Lussenden (Technology and Life Sciences Transactions); William Blumenthal and Jason Semmes (Antitrust/Competition); Oliver Zhong (Capital Markets); Emma Ballard (Commercial Litigation and Disputes); Scott Nonaka (Global Arbitration, Trade and Advocacy); Cynthia Bai (Global Finance); and Pan Chen (M&A). Additional details are available in the press release.

Mar 2

2 min

Sidley has been shortlisted for six “Firm of the Year” awards at the 2023 LMG Life Sciences Americas Awards. Sidley is a finalist in the following categories: FDA Litigation & Enforcement Firm of the Year Government Investigations Firm of the Year Licensing & Collaboration Firm of the Year Life Cycle Firm of the Year Product Liability Firm of the Year Regulatory Firm of the Year Notably, six Sidley lawyers were shortlisted for awards in their respective practices: Ching-Lee Fukuda – General Patent Litigator of the Year – New York Lauren G. Grau – U.S. Rising Star – Financial & Corporate Steven J. Horowitz – General Patent Litigator of the Year – Midwest Heidi Levine – Product Liability Attorney of the Year James Lu – Licensing & Collaboration Attorney of the Year Rebecca K. Wood – Regulatory Attorney of the Year: FDA Pharmaceutical The annual LMG Life Sciences Americas Awards identifies the leading North American law firms and lawyers in the life sciences industry.~~Sidley has been shortlisted for six “Firm of the Year” awards at the 2023 LMG Life Sciences Americas Awards. Sidley is a finalist in the following categories: FDA Litigation & Enforcement Firm of the Year Government Investigations Firm of the Year Licensing & Collaboration Firm of the Year Life Cycle Firm of the Year Product Liability Firm of the Year Regulatory Firm of the Year Notably, six Sidley lawyers were shortlisted for awards in their respective practices: Ching-Lee Fukuda – General Patent Litigator of the Year – New York Lauren G. Grau – U.S. Rising Star – Financial & Corporate Steven J. Horowitz – General Patent Litigator of the Year – Midwest Heidi Levine – Product Liability Attorney of the Year James Lu – Licensing & Collaboration Attorney of the Year Rebecca K. Wood – Regulatory Attorney of the Year: FDA Pharmaceutical The annual LMG Life Sciences Americas Awards identifies the leading North American law firms and lawyers in the life sciences industry.

Aug 9

1 min

Sidley is representing Crown Bioscience in its acquisition of the IndivuServ business unit of Indivumed GmbH, which includes the acquisition of both a biobank comprised of almost one million samples with associated clinical data and an extensive network of more than 60 clinical divisions in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Subject to customary closing conditions, the transaction is expected to close in April 2023. The Sidley team is being led by Björn Holland, Nicolai M. Schwarz-Gondek, and James Lu (M&A) and includes Feifei Bian, Jennifer Geng, Chloe Lustig, Laura Persin and Armin Mustafić (M&A); Olivier Goarnisson, Anna-Shari Melin, Carlo Felizardo, and Daniel Madani (Food, Drug and Medical Device); Joshua T. Hofheimer, Jean Qiu, Sabrina K. Glavota, and Francesca L. Sadler (Technology and Life Sciences Transactions); Sheri Porath Rockwell, Lauren Cuyvers, and Matthias Bruynseraede (Privacy and Cybersecurity); Patrick J. Harrison and Elizabeth Chen (Antitrust/Competition); Sven De Knop, Jen Fernandez, James Mendenhall, Justin R. Becker, Kayla M. Scott, and Alessandra Moroni (Global Arbitration, Trade and Advocacy); and Rachel D. Kleinberg, Jörg Fischer, and Jonathan M. Westreich (Tax).~~Sidley is representing Crown Bioscience in its acquisition of the IndivuServ business unit of Indivumed GmbH, which includes the acquisition of both a biobank comprised of almost one million samples with associated clinical data and an extensive network of more than 60 clinical divisions in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Subject to customary closing conditions, the transaction is expected to close in April 2023. The Sidley team is being led by Björn Holland, Nicolai M. Schwarz-Gondek, and James Lu (M&A) and includes Feifei Bian, Jennifer Geng, Chloe Lustig, Laura Persin and Armin Mustafić (M&A); Olivier Goarnisson, Anna-Shari Melin, Carlo Felizardo, and Daniel Madani (Food, Drug and Medical Device); Joshua T. Hofheimer, Jean Qiu, Sabrina K. Glavota, and Francesca L. Sadler (Technology and Life Sciences Transactions); Sheri Porath Rockwell, Lauren Cuyvers, and Matthias Bruynseraede (Privacy and Cybersecurity); Patrick J. Harrison and Elizabeth Chen (Antitrust/Competition); Sven De Knop, Jen Fernandez, James Mendenhall, Justin R. Becker, Kayla M. Scott, and Alessandra Moroni (Global Arbitration, Trade and Advocacy); and Rachel D. Kleinberg, Jörg Fischer, and Jonathan M. Westreich (Tax).

Feb 1

2 min

Six Sidley lawyers have been recognized by the San Diego Business Journal in its 2025 “Leaders of Influence in Law” list. Each year, the publication honors the contributions and commitment of the leading figures in the city’s legal profession. The following Sidley lawyers have been recognized: Sarah Carlson Eric Kauffman Cindy M. Lovering James Lu Jon A. Olsen Parker Zangoei Sidley’s San Diego office, founded in 2024, builds on the firm’s relationship with leading companies in this market and our deeply rooted presence in California. The team represents clients on a range of matters, including M&A and venture capital, global finance, commercial litigation, regulatory, and labor and employment. Sidley’s presence in San Diego expands our ability to provide the highest-level service to companies operating in this dynamic global market, particularly in the ever-evolving technology, life sciences, and consumer products and advertising industries.~~Six Sidley lawyers have been recognized by the San Diego Business Journal in its 2025 “Leaders of Influence in Law” list. Each year, the publication honors the contributions and commitment of the leading figures in the city’s legal profession. The following Sidley lawyers have been recognized: Sarah Carlson Eric Kauffman Cindy M. Lovering James Lu Jon A. Olsen Parker Zangoei Sidley’s San Diego office, founded in 2024, builds on the firm’s relationship with leading companies in this market and our deeply rooted presence in California. The team represents clients on a range of matters, including M&A and venture capital, global finance, commercial litigation, regulatory, and labor and employment. Sidley’s presence in San Diego expands our ability to provide the highest-level service to companies operating in this dynamic global market, particularly in the ever-evolving technology, life sciences, and consumer products and advertising industries.

Oct 20

1 min