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John Hurvitz co-chairs Covington's Life Sciences Industry Group, heads the firm's Technology Transactions Group and is vice-chair of the firm’s Corporate Group.
Mr. Hurvitz is a trusted advisor to both established and emerging life sciences companies, providing not only transactional counsel but also strategic advice with respect to business development, asset management, performance enhancement, dispute resolution under existing collaborations, industry best practices and other benchmarking advice. His clients and deal experience extend throughout the United States, Europe and Asia as well to emerging markets and include all segments of the industry—pharma, biotech, medtech, diagnostics, animal health, vaccines and health services.
For nearly 20 years, Mr. Hurvitz's practice has focused exclusively on meeting the specialized corporate, commercial, and transactional needs of the life sciences industry. As a registered US patent attorney with an undergraduate degree in biology and substantial food and drug regulatory experience, Mr. Hurvitz brings a unique multidisciplinary approach to the complex nexus of commercial, regulatory, and intellectual property issues that confront the industry.
Mr. Hurvitz has extensive experience structuring and negotiating mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and all manner of commercial and partnering transactions in the industry. His experience representing both innovators and acquirers of technology across a range of transactions enables him to assist clients both in finding practical solutions to their most complex problems and in efficiently and cost-effectively handling routine corporate and commercial matters.
- Merck in connection with the sale of its Consumer Care Business to Bayer AG for $14.2 billion.
- AbbVie in a novel collaboration with the Google-backed life sciences start-up company Calico focused on aging and age-related diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Regeneron in an agreement with Bayer Healthcare to jointly develop an innovative antibody for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the elderly.
- Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company in a collaboration agreement with Mersana to develop next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) using Mersana’s proprietary Fleximer technology.
- AstraZeneca in its global agreement with Pfizer to switch AstraZeneca’s blockbuster GI drug, Nexium, to over-the-counter, which involved an upfront payment of $250 million as well a right of first refusal to switch another of AstraZeneca’s Rx Products.
- Eli Lilly in its agreement to terminate its alliance with Amylin Pharmaceuticals for Byetta and Bydureon and to resolve the outstanding litigation between the companies, involving a two-year transition of responsibilities outside the US and payments of up to $1.6 billion.
- AstraZeneca in an agreement with Moderna Therapeutics to develop and commercialize pioneering messenger RNA therapeutics for the treatment of serious cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal diseases, as well as cancer, which involved an upfront payment of $240 million and up to an additional $180 million in technical milestones.
- Eisai in an agreement with Epizyme and Roche Molecular Systems to collaborate on the development of a companion diagnostic to advance personalized therapeutics for patients with lymphomas possessing genetic mutations in the epigenetic enzyme EZH2.
- Takeda in its acquisition of Intellikine, a privately-held company focused on the discovery and development of innovative, small molecule drugs, for $190 million at closing and up to $120 million in additional potential clinical development milestone payments.
- AstraZeneca in its agreement with Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to develop and market Ironwood’s linaclotide in China.
- AstraZeneca in its strategic diabetes alliance with Bristol-Myers Squibb in connection with BMS’s acquisition of Amylin Pharmaceuticals in a deal valued at $7 billion (approximately half the cost of which was borne by AZ).
- Abbott Laboratories in its $3.7 billion acquisition of Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Medarex on its $2.4 billion merger with Bristol-Myers Squibb.
- King Pharmaceuticals in its $3.6 billion merger with Pfizer Inc.
- Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica in its acquisition of certain animal health products divested by Wyeth and Pfizer Inc. pursuant to an FTC consent order entered into in connection with Pfizer Inc.’s acquisition of Wyeth.
Pro Bono
- Advisor, World Bank and Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) in their efforts on behalf of the G7/8 to develop and implement a pilot Advance Market Commitment (AMC) to stimulate the development and introduction of new vaccines to address critical unmet health needs in the developing world, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
- Member, Expert Group on AMCs convened by the World Bank and GAVI to advise on the design and implementation of an AMC pilot project.
- Member, Global Health Forecasting Working Group, convened by the Policy Research Network at the Center for Global Development to analyze demand forecasting for health products, with a particular emphasis on products that are procured largely with external funding, to identify areas for improvement and to develop analytically-based policy recommendations.
- Outside Counsel, Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise. Assisting the Enterprise with corporate structure, governance and other matters.
- Outside Counsel, Zero to Three, a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the healthy development of infants and toddlers by supporting and strengthening families, communities, and those who work on their behalf.
- Legal Advisor, Consortium for Child Welfare, the association of the non-governmental child welfare organizations serving the District of Columbia. Represented the Consortium in its efforts to overhaul the child welfare laws and create a dedicated family division within the Superior Court in the District of Columbia.
- On behalf of the District of Columbia Bar’s Community Economic Development Project, prepared a comprehensive legal practice and issues manual for non-profit day care centers and provided training for attorneys who agreed to represent non-profit day care centers on a pro bono basis so as to help stimulate the creation of high quality, affordable day care in the District of Columbia for low- and moderate-income families.
- Legal Advisor, Housing and Urban Development Occupancy Task Force on People with Disabilities in Public Housing. Advised the Task Force in connection with its efforts to improve access to public housing and related services for people with mental illness and developmental disabilities.
- On behalf of the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights, successfully represented a multi-ethnic group of highly prominent Bosnian citizens in their efforts to obtain political asylum in the United States at the height of the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Memberships and Affiliations
- Haverford College, member of the Corporation
Previous Experience
- Salomon Brothers, Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures Group, Financial Analyst
- Georgetown University Law Center, Food and Drug Law, Adjunct Professor
March 2021
As the legal, regulatory, and commercial implications of coronavirus COVID-19 continue to evolve, our lawyers and advisors are helping clients navigate the complex considerations that companies around the world are facing and develop plans and strategies in response. Reach out to our COVID-19 task force at COVID19@cov.com. Below is a compendium of resources ...
April 1, 2020
WASHINGTON—The National Law Journal has named Covington's John Hurvitz to its list of “Healthcare and Life Sciences Trailblazers.” This list features 26 honorees who are recognized as “agents of change” whose work has advanced innovation in the health care and life sciences industries. Mr. Hurvitz co-chairs C&B's Life Sciences Industry Group, heads the firm's ...
August 10, 2017
NEW YORK—Covington is representing IFM Therapeutics in its sale to Bristol Myers Squibb for $300 million in cash and the right to receive contingent payments upon achievement of specified milestones that could total in excess of $1 billion for each of its two oncology programs. Prior to closing, IFM will spin off its inflammation program to a newly-formed ...
Life Sciences Group Of The Year: Covington & Burling
February 10, 2017, Law360
Law360 selected Covington’s Life Sciences practice as a “Practice Group of the Year,” highlighting the firm’s involvement in billion-dollar transactions, success in contentious litigation, and regulatory advice on cutting-edge technology. According to Michael Labson, “What we offer and bring to complicated, complex issues is a mixture of deep subject-matter ...
Frequent Speaker and Lecturer on Life Sciences Industry Matters
1998-present
Mr. Hurvitz is a frequent speaker and lecturer on issues affecting the life sciences industry both in the United States and Europe. He has chaired numerous conferences in the United States and Europe and has spoken on a range of issues at BIO and other industry conferences. He also has served as an expert adviser to the Federal Trade Commission on life sciences ...
Health Hires: Greenberg, Covington Add IP, Deals Pros
July 1, 2016, Law360
Van Ellis and John Hurvitz are quoted in a Law360 article regarding Ellis’ arrival as a partner in the firm’s life sciences transactions practice. According to Ellis, who says he is drawn to how Covington deals with some of the largest and most complex transactions in the industry, “Every deal is different than the other deals. There are innovative aspects of ...
Leading Life Sciences Lawyer Joins Covington
June 20, 2016
WASHINGTON—Van Ellis has joined Covington as a partner in its life sciences transactions practice, resident in Washington. Mr. Ellis has extensive experience in a wide variety of technology-based transactions and corporate matters in the life sciences field, from billion-dollar global collaborations to daily commercial and operational matters. He also counsels ...
July 29, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC, July 29, 2015 – Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) have entered into a new global collaboration to discover, develop and commercialize new antibody cancer treatments in the field of immuno-oncology. Sanofi has committed to an initial investment of up to $2.17 billion in the exclusive collaboration, including $640 million in ...
Covington Receives Top Tier Rankings from Legal 500 U.S.
June 9, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC, June 9, 2015 — The Legal 500 U.S. has ranked Covington as a top tier firm in nine practice areas and recognized 25 individual attorneys as “Leading Lawyers” in the directory’s 2015 edition. Additionally, Legal 500 recommended 36 Covington practice areas and 156 Covington lawyers. Top tier rankings include: Antitrust - Cartel Antitrust ...
January 13, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC, January 13, 2015 — For the third consecutive year, Law360 named Covington’s life sciences practice one of the top “Life Sciences Practice Groups of the Year.” Law360 recognized Covington for its “significant litigation wins and helping clinch big deals between pharmaceutical companies.” Among the matters highlighted were Covington’s handling of ...
Life Sciences Group Of The Year: Covington & Burling
January 9, 2015, Law360
Covington's life sciences group is featured in this article regarding their being named a "Practice Group of the Year." "The firm's life sciences group, which includes some 250 attorneys with deep knowledge of the industry, has been a cornerstone of Covington since its early days, according to John Hurvitz, co-chairman of the group. The group has been ...
August 18, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC, August 18, 2014 — Best Lawyers named Covington & Burling’s Stuart Eizenstat and Gregg Levy each a 2015 “Lawyer of the Year” in international trade and sports law, respectively, citing their “abilities, professionalism and integrity.” Overall, Covington lawyers received 217 individual mentions in 58 areas of law in the newly released annual survey ...
January 13, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC, January 13, 2014 — For the second consecutive year, Law360 has named Covington & Burling’s life sciences practice as one of the top five “Life Sciences Practice Groups of the Year.” In a profile of the firm, Law360 noted that Covington “delivered for drugmakers on three continents in 2013, spearheading a momentous investment by U.K.-based ...
Covington Wins Six LMG Life Sciences Awards
9/27/2013
NEW YORK, September 27, 2013 — Covington & Burling received six awards at the inaugural LMG Life Sciences awards on September 25, including “FDA Pharmaceutical Firm of the Year” and Richard Kingham’s induction to the Hall of Fame. The awards, which are selected based on a survey of peers and leading companies in the life sciences industry, “recognize and honor ...
March 25, 2013
LONDON, 25 March, 2013 — AstraZeneca and Moderna Therapeutics announced an agreement to develop and commercialise pioneering messenger RNA therapeutics™ for the treatment of serious cardiovascular, metabolic and renal diseases as well as cancer. Covington & Burling advised AstraZeneca on the deal, working alongside AstraZeneca’s in-house legal team. Under the ...
Covington Named ‘Life Sciences Group of the Year’
1/22/2013
WASHINGTON, DC, January 22, 2013 — Law360 named Covington’s life sciences practice as of one of the top five “Life Sciences Practice Groups of the Year.” In a profile highlighting Covington’s life sciences practice, Law360 noted that the group has “grown to develop an increasingly global reach that has made it a go-to for complex transactions, high stakes ...
Five Covington Lawyers Named Law360 MVPs
December 3, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, December 3, 2012 — Law360 named five Covington & Burling lawyers today as “Most Valuable Players” in their respective practice areas. The award singles out lawyers from across 22 practice areas whose achievements in major litigation or transactional matters have “raised the bar” over the past year. The Covington lawyers recognized as Law360 MVPs ...
10/23/2012
WASHINGTON, DC, October 23, 2012 — AstraZeneca and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today an agreement to develop and market Ironwood’s linaclotide in China. Covington & Burling advised AstraZeneca on the deal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved linaclotide last August, making it the first of its class of drugs approved in the United States. ...
August 14, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, August 14, 2012 — Covington & Burling advised AstraZeneca in its agreement with Pfizer for over-the-counter rights to sell a nonprescription version of Nexium, a medication prescribed to treat the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The agreement gives Pfizer rights to sell a 20mg nonprescription version of AstraZeneca's Nexium ...
Covington Receives Top Tier Nods in Legal 500 US
August 14, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, August 14, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP has received a top tier ranking in six practice areas and 18 individual attorneys are named “Leading Lawyers” in the recently released Legal 500 US 2012 edition. Additionally, Legal 500 US also “recommended” 36 Covington practice areas and 123 Covington lawyers. The six Covington practices given the top ...
Covington Lawyers Recognized by D.C. Super Lawyers
May 2, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, May 2, 2012 — D.C. Super Lawyers selected 64 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2012 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects no more than five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Washington based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. Deborah Garza and Robert Long have been named among the “Top 100” for ...
April 23, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, April 23, 2012 — Covington & Burling represented AstraZeneca in its $1.26 billion acquisition of Ardea Biosciences. Under the agreement, AstraZeneca will pay $32 per share for all of the outstanding shares of Ardea. AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and ...
March 19, 2012
LONDON, 19 March, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP received 46 individual mentions and 20 practice mentions in the Chambers Global 2012 edition. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers globally by pan-regional and country practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. The Covington lawyers ...
June 10, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, June 10, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP received 123 individual mentions and 45 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2011. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
June 9, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, June 10, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP received 92 individual mentions and 32 practice mentions in the Legal 500 US 2011 edition. Legal 500 reviews the strengths and strategies of law firms in more than 90 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North and South America, and the Caribbean. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
Covington Lawyers Recognized by D.C. Super Lawyers
May 17, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, May 17, 2011 — D.C. Super Lawyers selected 55 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2011 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects no more than five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Washington based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. Deborah Garza has been named among the “Top 50 Women,” and Robert Long ...
February 15, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, February 15, 2011 — For the seventh time, Practical Law Company has awarded Covington & Burling LLP its worldwide first place ranking in the Life Sciences Regulatory Super League category. PLC also singled out Covington’s Antitrust/Competition, Corporate, and Insurance practices, along with lawyers from each group, in its practice-specific ...
October 25, 2010
NEW YORK, October 25, 2010 — Kadmon Pharmaceuticals announced today that it has acquired Three Rivers Pharmaceuticals, a privately held specialty pharmaceuticals company based in Warrendale, Pennsylvania. Three Rivers will serve as the commercial and operational cornerstone for Kadmon, a privately held biopharmaceutical company based in New York City. Terms of ...
October 12, 2010
NEW YORK, October 12, 2010 — King Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer announced today that they have entered into an agreement for Pfizer to acquire all of the outstanding stock and stock equivalents of King for $14.25 in cash per share, or aggregate consideration of $3.6 billion. Covington & Burling LLP advised King on the transaction. King is a vertically integrated ...
June 23, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, June 23, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 85 individual mentions and 23 practice mentions in the Legal 500 US 2010 edition. Legal 500 reviews the strengths and strategies of law firms in more than 90 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North and South America, and the Caribbean. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
June 16, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 112 individual mentions and 44 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2010. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
Covington Advises Boehringer Ingelheim on Acquisition of Animal Health Assets from Pfizer and Wyeth
9/24/2009
NEW YORK, September 24, 2009 — Boehringer Ingelheim, and its US animal health business Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., has entered into an agreement with Pfizer to acquire certain assets of Wyeth’s Fort Dodge Animal Health business upon the closing of the global Pfizer-Wyeth merger. Covington & Burling LLP represented Boehringer Ingelheim on the ...
7/22/2009
NEW YORK, NY, July 22, 2009 — Medarex and Bristol-Myers Squibb announced today that Bristol-Myers Squibb entered into an agreement for Bristol-Myers Squibb to acquire all of the outstanding stock and stock equivalents of Medarex for $16.00 in cash per share, or aggregate consideration of $2.4 billion. Covington & Burling LLP advised Medarex on the ...
June 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC, June 12, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP received 100 individual mentions and 40 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2009. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
7/11/2008
WASHINGTON, DC, July 11, 2008 — Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement with AstraZeneca to promote and provide support in the United States for MERREM® I.V. Covington & Burling LLP advised AstraZeneca on the deal. AstraZeneca, a major international healthcare business, is engaged in the research, development, ...
June 16, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP received 81 individual mentions and 45 practice mentions in the newly released 2008 Chambers USA. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington ...
Covington Advises Encysive on Pfizer Deal
2/21/2008
WASHINGTON, DC, February 21, 2008 — Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced yesterday that it has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Pfizer Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer will make a cash tender offer for all issued and outstanding shares of Encysive for $2.35 per share, representing an equity value of approximately $195 million. ...
June 18, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC, June 18, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP received 44 practice mentions and 74 individual mentions in the newly released 2007 Chambers USA guidebook. The 2007 edition of Chambers USA attempts to identify the most skilled legal practitioners throughout the country based on the qualities most valued by clients. Covington attorneys have been ...
Covington Advises Abbott Laboratories in $3.7 Billion Acquisition of Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
11/06/2006
NEW YORK, NY, November 6, 2006 — Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) announced the acquisition of Kos Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: KOSP) through a cash tender offer of $78.00 per common share, or $3.7 billion. Covington & Burling LLP represented Abbott in the transaction. Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, ...
Covington Represents Eisai In $205 Million Acquisition of Four Oncology-Related Products
9/13/2006
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 13, 2006 — Covington represented both Eisai Co., Ltd. and Eisai Inc. in the recent $205 million product acquisition agreement with Ligand Pharmaceuticals. Eisai obtained exclusive global rights to four products, including ONTAK®, Targretin® capsules, Targretin® 1% gel and Panretin® 0.1% gel. This acquisition will help to ...
2005, 24 Health Affairs 653
December 2004/January 2005, Life Sciences Law & Business, Vol. 1, Issue 5
October 12, 1998, Legal Times
- The National Law Journal, “Healthcare and Life Sciences Trailblazers” (2020)
- Chambers USA, recognized for Life Sciences Corporate/Commercial (Band 1)
- Chambers Global, recognized as a leading lawyer for Life Sciences Corporate/Commercial
- Washington DC Super Lawyers
- Best Lawyers in America, recognized for FDA
- Law360, Life Sciences “MVP”
- Who's Who Legal, Life Sciences – Transactional
- Legal 500 US, “Leading Lawyer” – Healthcare: Life Sciences
- Legal 500 US, M&A - Commercial Deals and Contracts (2016)
- Legal 500 US, Patents - Portfolio Management and Licensing (2016)
- PLC Which Lawyer?, consistently recognized as a "leading commercial and partnering" lawyer, and one of only five "leading" corporate partnering lawyers in the US.
- LMG Life Sciences, “Life Science Star”
- IAM Patent 1000 - The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners
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