Advanced Practice
in
Negotiating and Drafting
Licensing Agreements
in the
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industries

A Major Simulation Workshop in Which to Hone your Skills in a Risk-Free Environment

Licensing agreements are an essential part of the industry. But negotiating and drafting them is difficult. The science may be complex and future developments may be hard to predict. It is an activity that demands much skill and knowledge, over a wide range of disciplines. Billions of dollars can hang on the competence of the participants; in addition, future funding opportunities can be either facilitated or undermined. Uncertain definition, an unenforceable provision, Bayh-Dole requirements, a third party determination and the existence of a prior right are just some of the dangers that lie in wait for the inexperienced adventurer.

Those are some of the problems – now a contribution to the solution. This one day in-depth briefing has been designed to cover the essential concepts and technical detail that must be addressed in a range of different types of licensing deal. It goes beyond the general and gets down to practicalities – what provisions the different types of agreement must contain, how they should be structured and how to ensure they are commercially advantageous, workable and enforceable. The briefing makes use of a simulation format developed in the United Kingdom by Henry Stewart Conference Studies over more than 25 years which is specially designed to enable practitioners to explore real world business issues in a risk-free environment. Such workshops can be PARTICULARLY USEFUL IN ASSISTING PARTICIPANTS TO IDENTIFY, EARLY ON, PROBLEMS THAT COULD ARISE LATER IN THEIR PROJECTS AND THE METHODS THEY COULD USE TO PREVENT THEM.

The workshop will cover, in mock negotiation sessions and mini lecture breakouts, both the principles and the detailed practice. The panel comprises two experienced lawyers (one for each side) and three deal-closers (respectively representing: the university sector, small biotechs and start-ups and big pharma) under the joint chairmanship of an entrepreneurial businessman and a venture capital funder. The chairmen act as catalysts, moderators and agents provocateurs, making sure no issues are glossed over or problems left unresolved. They put real world problems in the paths of the panellists and make sure they address them. Throughout the day delegates can question and challenge any of the opinions expressed.

An incredibly rewarding day which is not to be missed by CEOs, CFOs and CSOs as well as Business Development, Corporate Development, Strategic Planning and Licensing Executives; In-house and Private Counsel and everyone involved in negotiating and drafting pharmaceutical licensing agreements.

Full documentation will be provided and adequate time set aside for interaction between the delegates themselves and between the delegates and the panellists.

Wednesday, 17 November 2004
Doubletree Hotel Philadelphia, PA