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- Home
- Professionals
- James C. Snipes
James Snipes is senior counsel in the firm’s corporate practice and a former chair of the life sciences industry group. For the past twenty years, Mr. Snipes’s practice has focused on corporate and transactional matters for life sciences clients ranging from private, venture-backed biotech companies to multinational pharmaceutical companies. The focus of his practice is strategic collaborations and complex licensing transactions; acquisitions and divestitures; spin-outs; venture investments; and commercial agreements in the biopharmaceutical industry. Mr. Snipes’s international practice experience includes a stint as head of Covington’s corporate group in London and two years at one of Tokyo’s leading corporate law firms.
Mr. Snipes also advises a number of public and private companies and venture capital firms in the technology sector. Further, he is a recognized authority in the field of art law, with broad experience in resolving disputes involving Holocaust claims, cultural patrimony claims, and other collections-related issues.
- Representation of Pfizer Inc. in a worldwide $1 billion collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb to develop and commercialize Apixaban, an anticoagulant, with Bristol-Myers Squibb; and in a worldwide collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb to conduct Phase III development and commercialization of DGAT-1 inhibitors with potential applications for the treatment of metabolic disorders including obesity and diabetes.
- Representation of Gilead Sciences in a series of transactions with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck for the worldwide development and commercialization of a triple combination antiretroviral drug, including various corporate and contractual arrangements for supply and distribution in the United States; the European Union; and the access countries.
- Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation, a leading Japanese pharmaceutical company, in the spin-out of a late stage clinical product to a new company, Artisan Therapeutics, Inc., and simultaneous $39 million venture financing of Artisan.
- Representation of the Institute for OneWorld Health, a non-profit dedicated to developing new drugs for neglected diseases, in negotiating research collaborations with academic institutions, including UCSF and UC Berkeley; license and supply agreements with commercial entities, including Amyris Biotechnologies; and the acquisition of intellectual property assets.
- Representation of Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals in a strategic alliance with ARYx Therapeutics to develop a novel compound for the treatment of GERD and gastroparesis. Payments by P&G under the deal could reach $435 million, including a $25 million upfront fee.
- Representation of the National Academies of Sciences/Institute of Medicine in the preparation of industry-standard templates for a Material Transfer Agreement and Clinical Trial Agreement.
- Representation of the J. Craig Venter Institute in the spin-out of synthetic genome technology to Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
- Representation of Solstice Neurosciences in an exclusive license transaction with DreamPharma Corporation, a leading Korean pharmaceutical company.
- Representation of MPM Capital in a $30 million investment in QuatRx Pharmaceuticals.
- Representation of Medarex in various collaborations with U.S., European and Japanese biotech companies to develop and commercialize monoclonal antibody products, including a major cross-licensing deal with Kirin Breweries relating to transgenic and transchromosomic mouse technologies.
- Representation of Chiron Corporation in various transactions, including the acquisition of Sagres Discovery and the divestiture of the PowderJect epidermal delivery technology to PowderMed.
- Representation of Emergent BioSolutions in a collaboration with the UK's Health Protection Authority for the development of a botulinum toxoid vaccine.
Pro Bono
- Representation of the Institute for OneWorld Health on various corporate matters.
Memberships and Affiliations
- Bar Association of San Francisco, Past Director
Life Sciences Cross-border Partnering and M&A Transactions: Overcoming Legal and Regulatory Obstacles
September 21, 2016
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 ...
Covington Advises Natrogen on Agreements with Takeda
December 20, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC, December 20, 2013 — Covington & Burling advised Natrogen Therapeutics International in its agreement with Takeda Pharmaceuticals for the exclusive license for worldwide development of Natura-alpha, a synthetic small molecule oral compound that is believed to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, as well as an option to acquire Natrogen. ...
May 28, 2013
NEW YORK, May 28, 2013 — Omthera Pharmaceuticals and AstraZeneca announced today that the companies entered into a merger agreement under which AstraZeneca will acquire all of the outstanding stock of Omthera for an upfront payment of $12.70 in cash per share, approximately $323 million aggregate value ($260 million after subtracting cash), plus a contingent ...
August 27, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, August 27, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 196 individual mentions in 57 areas of law in the 2013 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top U.S. lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as ...
September 7, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, September 7, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 184 individual mentions in 56 areas of law in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: ...
July 13, 2011
SAN FRANCISCO, July 13, 2011 — Twenty-two Covington & Burling LLP lawyers are recognized in the 2011 edition of Northern California Super Lawyers. The annual list by Super Lawyers selects only five percent of the total lawyers in the state based upon peer review and the publication’s independent research. Fourteen Covington lawyers were named Northern ...
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 ...
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
SAN FRANCISCO, October 25, 2010 — Omeros Corporation today announced that it has received $20 million from Vulcan Capital as well as a grant award for $5 million from Washington State's Life Sciences Discovery Fund (LSDF) to support the advancement of the Company's G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) program. In return, Vulcan Capital and LSDF have a right to ...
August 9, 2010
REDWOOD SHORES, CA, August 9, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce that three partners from its Washington, D.C. office, Kurt Calia, Emily Henn, and Emily Leonard, have relocated to the Silicon Valley office. Their move will strengthen the link to the firm’s deep regulatory roots as well as further enhance the firm’s transactional and litigation ...
August 6, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, August 6, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 138 individual mentions in 40 areas of law in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
July 16, 2010
SAN FRANCISCO, July 16, 2010 — Eighteen Covington & Burling LLP lawyers are recognized in the 2010 Northern California Super Lawyers. The annual list by Super Lawyers selects only five percent of the total lawyers in the state based upon peer review and the publication’s independent research. Eleven Covington lawyers were named Northern California Super ...
June 25, 2010
NEW YORK, June 25, 2010 — Gilead Sciences, Inc. and CGI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which Gilead will acquire CGI. Under the terms of the agreement, Gilead will acquire CGI for up to $120 million, the majority as an upfront payment and the remaining based on clinical development progress. Covington & ...
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 ...
August 7, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC, August 7, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP received 131 individual mentions in 38 areas of law in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
7/15/2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, July 15, 2009 — Eleven Covington & Burling LLP partners are recognized in the 2009 Northern California Super Lawyers. The annual list by Super Lawyers selects only five percent of the total lawyers in the state based upon peer review and the publication’s independent research. In addition, seven lawyers have been named Northern California ...
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 ...
September 29, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC, September 29, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP received 124 individual mentions in 40 areas of law in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
8/27/2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, August 27, 2008 — Eleven Covington & Burling LLP partners are recognized in the 2008 Northern California Super Lawyers. The annual list by Super Lawyers selects only five percent of the total lawyers in the state based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. In addition, San Francisco partners Anita Stork and Donald Brown ...
Covington Advises Gilead Sciences in Agreement to Distribute HIV Medication in 12 Countries
8/5/2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, August 5, 2008 — Gilead Sciences and Merck & Co., Inc. have entered into an agreement through which Gilead will assume the lead role for the distribution of the HIV medication Atripla(R) in 12 countries located primarily in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. Covington & Burling LLP advised Gilead in the agreement. Atripla is the first ...
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 ...
1/2/2008
NEW YORK, NY, January 2, 2008 — Pfizer announced on December 31 that it has completed the cash tender offer for the outstanding shares of common stock of Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company specializing in vaccine adjuvant technology and a new class of immunomodulatory drug candidates designed to fight cancers, allergy and ...
Covington Advises Pfizer on Acquisition of CovX
12/18/2007
NEW YORK, NY, December 18, 2007 — Pfizer Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire CovX, a privately-held biotherapeutics company. Covington & Burling LLP advised Pfizer on the transaction. Pfizer, the world’s largest research-based biomedical and pharmaceutical company, discovers and develops innovative medicines to treat and help ...
September 6, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC, September 6, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP received 115 individual mentions in 38 areas of law in the 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The recipients are as follows: Administrative: E. Edward Bruce and ...
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 ...
April 26, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, April 26, 2007 — Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Pfizer Inc. today announced a worldwide collaboration to develop and commercialize apixaban, an anticoagulant discovered by Bristol-Myers Squibb being studied for the prevention and treatment of a broad range of venous and arterial thrombotic conditions. In a separate agreement, the companies ...
October 9, 2006, Covington E-Alert
- Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers, Life Sciences: Corporate/Commercial (2007-2017)
- Legal 500 US, Media, Technology and Telecoms - Technology - Transactions (2017)
- Legal 500 US, Healthcare - Life Sciences (2016)
- Legal 500 US, Patents - Portfolio Management and Licensing (2016)
- Best Lawyers in America, Biotechnology Law (2008-2018 )
- Who's Who Legal, Life Sciences (2013-2017)
- IAM Patent 1000 - The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners (2015-2016)
- LMG Life Sciences, "Life Science Star" (2013)
- Northern California Super Lawyers, Business/Corporate (2006-2011)
- Practical Law Company, Survey of Life Sciences Lawyers (2005-2012)