A Go-To Legal Adviser for Life Sciences and Technology Leaders

For the past century, US law firm Cooley has counselled the world’s leading technology and life science companies and their financial backers.

Every growing business could use some help from adept counsellors for financing, expansion, protection and peace of mind. When the nature of the business is in the realm of innovation and technology, a reputable law firm with a proven track record is paramount. California-headquartered Cooley’s core client base includes the world’s leading life sciences and technology companies, from startups to global giants, along with the investors and financial institutions that support them. The firm shares its clients’ passion for innovation, excellence and collaboration, and it helps transformational companies to prosper and benefit society at large.

Hong Kong – a tech and life sciences hub

In Asia, Cooley has offices in Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Its Shanghai and Beijing offices opened in 2011 and 2018 respectively, and focus on fund formation in venture capital and private equity. Cooley launched its Hong Kong premises in 2019, following a new listing rule for pre-revenue biotech companies introduced by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2018, and opened in Singapore in January 2020.

“We felt that the time was ripe for us to open in Hong Kong,” explained Will Cai, Hong Kong-based partner and head of Cooley’s Asia capital markets practice. “Given Hong Kong’s pre-eminence as a global business and financial hub, we had already been advising some of the region’s most dynamic tech and life sciences companies on their financing, joint venture and other strategic transactions for some time. It was a natural extension to open an office there.”

Cai added, “Our Hong Kong and Singapore office launches build on our very well‑established presence in Mainland China, where we have helped more than 80 fund managers form over 100 Chinese venture capital and private equity funds.”

Since Cooley opened in Hong Kong, it has advised several local companies on floating on international stock exchanges, including biotech company Legend Biotech, the autonomous aerial vehicle technology company EHang Holdings and the real estate online platform Fangdd.

“Hong Kong’s culture and infrastructure make it a focal point for some of Asia’s most exciting startups and emerging companies, and we expect that to continue,” Cai stated. “Alongside our affiliated Hong Kong firm, Cooley has four partners, seven associates and other professional staff, as well as a team that supports us and our other offices in Asia.”

Strong team spirit

Cai feels that the Hong Kong office’s strength draws from its strong relationship with colleagues from all over the world. “Close collaboration across our 16 offices throughout Asia, the US and Europe is fundamental to our success and greatly valued by our clients,” he explained. “With our global clientele and cross-border deals, our ability to work very closely across different geographical boundaries is core to Cooley’s DNA.”

Going forward, Cooley is planning to build upon its prowess through consolidating its position in Asia as the law firm of choice for technology and life science companies. “We will be focusing on startups, venture capital, private investment funds, financial services, M&A, private equity, capital markets and intellectual property,” Cai said.