SJ Berwin scores lead role on life sciences deal

Corporate partner Perry Yam acted for both new client MPM Capital and existing client SV Life ­Sciences (SVLS) on the investment, which will be used to complete the latest phase of a clinical study into a new asthma treatment.

The two SJ Berwin clients were joined by another new investor, Novartis Ventures, among a host of other existing investors on the deal.

Brown Rudnick acted for Novartis’ venture capital arm on the investment, with corporate partner Tina Baker leading. The other existing investors were advised in-house. WilmerHale acted for Oxagen on the deal, with chair of the UK corporate practice Joe Pillman taking the lead.

Oxagen is developing small molecule drugs designed to treat inflammatory and respiratory diseases. The lead programme could produce orally-taken drugs to treat asthma and similar conditions.

SJ Berwin also acted for SVLS on the sale of Swiss biotechnology company ESBATech AG to Alcon earlier this year. Yam advised on the deal, which saw shareholders receive $150m (£89.93m).