The Partnering Playbook Session 2

As the life sciences industry becomes more complex, global, and tech-enabled, partnering is more essential (and more nuanced) than ever. The Partnering Playbook is MoFo’s four-part series designed to decode the strategy, structure, and execution of successful licensing and collaboration transactions. The series blends legal insight with real-world business experience, drawing on MoFo’s deep bench of life sciences deal lawyers and a network of biotech executives, VCs, pharma business development leads, and academic innovators.

Each session will explore key legal and commercial considerations across the deal lifecycle, with special focus on key legal terms, cross-border transaction issues, the integration of AI into deal structures and diligence, and the evolving regulatory and IP environment.

(Include speaker pictures similar to last session) - Matt Karlyn, Stephanie Sharron, Wolfgang Schoenig, Matthew Ferry

Session 2: Building Value - Strategic Partnerships and Co-Development

As programs mature, companies need partners and the need for scale drives companies to partner with larger industry players. In this session, Morrison Foerster partners Matt Karlyn and Matt Ferry will focus on structuring co-development, co-commercialization, and other strategic collaborations that balance risk and reward. We’ll cover development responsibilities, governance through joint steering committees, rights to data and regulatory filings, and exclusivity considerations. Attendees will learn how to align incentives while maintaining flexibility as programs advance toward the clinic and market.

Topics include:

• Structuring co-development and co-commercialization agreements
• Rights to clinical trial data and regulatory filings
• Allocation of development costs and governance structures
• Milestones and risk-sharing models
• Exclusivity and competitive programs

To hear more about our upcoming events in this series, see our full schedule below:

To hear more about a session, please sign up to receive the mailing by clicking its title (in orange text) below. You must sign up for each session individually.

Part 3: Capturing Economics – Financial Terms and Deal Structures

Deal economics are at the heart of every successful collaboration. This session will break down the financial mechanics of licensing and partnering agreements, including upfront payments, milestones, royalties, equity components, and revenue-sharing models. We’ll also examine diligence and minimum commitment obligations, payment waterfalls, and audit rights, as well as acquisition options and other impactful economic outcomes. Our panel will highlight current trends in structuring financial terms to balance risk and reward between licensors and licensees.

Part 4: Beyond the Deal – Managing Partnerships and Preparing for Exit - May 28, 2026 

Closing a deal is only the beginning. This session will cover best practices for managing ongoing collaborations, including alliance management frameworks, dispute resolution, and step-in rights. We’ll also explore provisions that become critical in change-of-control events, M&A transactions, or IPO readiness, such as assignment restrictions and consent requirements. Attendees will learn how to manage collaborations effectively today while positioning them for long-term success and value realization.