Date:  03/12/2008

Time:   7:30 am - 8:00 am Registration 8:00 am - 9:00 am Program Breakfast will be served

Location:   Morrison & Foerster LLP 755 Page Mill Road Palo Alto

Speakers:   Benson Fong, William Hodder, Jonathan S. Dickstein, Stephen B. Thau, Mark R. Wicker

Contact:   Tanya Ortiz-Bolhorst

Contact Phone:  650.813.5722

Description:   Takeda’s $1 Billion acquisition of Japanese rights to Amgen’s drugs is the latest high profile transaction between a U.S. biotech and a Japanese pharmaceutical company.

Over the past several years, transactions with Japanese pharmaceutical companies have provided access to new markets, financial capital, and intellectual property rights for compounds for development.

Our panel of experts will discuss how to initiate, negotiate and execute a successful relationship with a Japanese pharmaceutical company.

Topics will include:

• Overview of Market Trends
• Anatomy of the Amgen/Takeda Deal
• Structuring Deals with Japanese Pharmaceutical Companies
• What makes for a Successful Negotiation Between U.S. and Japanese Companies

Speakers will include:

Benson Fong, President & CEO , Lapis Therapeutics, Inc.; former SVP Corporate Development, CoTherix, Inc.
Mr. Fong identified a clinical stage asset from Asahi Kasei Pharma and with Morrison & Foerster negotiated a license agreement for U.S. and European rights.

William Hodder, Vice President, Business Development, FibroGen, Inc.
Mr. Hodder orchestrated FibroGen, Inc.’s anemia transactions with Japan’s Yamanouchi and its successor, Astellas Pharma Inc.

Jonathan D. Dickstein, Morrison & Foerster San Francisco Partner
Mr. Dickstein has represented a variety of biotechnology, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies in a broad range of transactions, including inbound and outbound licensing, drug discovery and development deals, joint research and development collaborations, manufacture and supply arrangements, distribution and reseller relationships, co-marketing agreements, outsourcing projects, strategic joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions.

Stephen B. Thau, Morrison & Foerster Palo Alto Partner
Mr. Thau’s practice focuses on the representation of life science, medical device, and other technology companies at all stages of their life cycles, from company formation, equity and debt financing, merger and acquisition transactions, strategic alliances, and public offerings. He has represented companies and investors in over a hundred venture capital and debt financing transactions, as well as in numerous public offerings and public and private M&A transactions.

Mark R. Wicker, Morrison & Foerster San Diego Partner
Mr. Wicker represents entrepreneurs, startup ventures, established companies, and investors in the technology and life science industries in all aspects of their business. He specializes in structuring and negotiating creative and effective arrangements for the research, development, and commercialization of products and technologies, including joint ventures, corporate partnerships, licenses, contract research and manufacturing, and other strategic alliances.

Morrison & Foerster LLP (Provider #2183) certifies that this activity has been approved for MCLE credit by the State of California in the amount of 1 hour.