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.
