Where We Excel


Vinson & Elkins’ understanding of the complexities and nuances of the life sciences industry enables us to meet our clients’ unique needs at each stage of their growth and development. Our talent spans industries ranging from biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices to food and drug retailers, agriculture, and chemical. We provide guidance to some of the leading global providers of branded and generic pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medical devices, biomass and renewable technologies, and research tools and analytical services, as well as start-ups and emerging companies and the investment entities that support these industries.

Understanding that our life sciences clients need sophisticated legal services, our Life Sciences team is composed of lawyers from all corners of the Firm, many of whom possess degrees in biology, biochemical sciences, biomedical engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, and medicine.

In keeping with the evolving life sciences industry, V&E lawyers stay current with the changing patent, regulatory, and policy landscape of this industry. With this understanding, we translate technology into a compelling, credible story to educate a judge or a jury about the merits of a client’s position. We focus on developing the case and tailoring a story, using the right lexicon, to create a cost-effective, controlled, and sound strategy.

On the transactional side, we evaluate issues from a broad business perspective to align client business goals with intellectual property strategy. V&E counsels clients on the full breadth of transactions, including technology transfer, licensing, research and development, venture capital financing, mergers and acquisitions, joint venture, and strategic alliances, among others. Our strong technology expertise allows us to execute precise transactions, calibrating what we need to give (or get) to protect a client’s intellectual property throughout the life of a transaction.

Experience

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At Vinson & Elkins, we bring decades of knowledge, skill, and experience to our clients’ most complex legal matters.

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News & Achievements

Deals & Cases

Lexicon Announces Pricing of Approximately $94.6 Million Public Offering and Concurrent Private Placement

Vinson & Elkins advised Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Lexicon”), a biopharmaceutical company, in an offering of its securities consisting of an …

February 3, 2026

February 3, 2026 • 1-minute read

Deals & Cases

WM to Acquire Stericycle, a Leader in Medical Waste Services, for $7.2 Billion

Vinson & Elkins advised Waste Management, Inc. (“Waste Management”) in connection with the entry by Waste Management into a definitive agreement with Stericycle, Inc. (“Stericycle”) pursuant to which a subsidiary of Waste Management will acquire all outstanding shares of Stericycle for $62.00 per share in cash, representing a total enterprise value of approximately $7.2 billion when including approximately $1.4 billion of Stericycle’s net debt.

June 3, 2024

June 3, 2024 • 1-minute read

Deals & Cases

Lexicon Announces Oversubscribed $250 Million Private Placement of Equity Securities

Vinson & Elkins advised Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in a securities purchase agreement for a private investment in public equity financing that is expected to result in gross proceeds of approximately $250 million.

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024 • 1-minute read

Deals & Cases

Biogen to Acquire Reata Pharmaceuticals

Vinson & Elkins advised Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Reata”), a global biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing novel therapeutics for patients with serious or life-threatening diseases, in its entry into a definitive agreement under which Biogen Inc. has agreed to acquire Reata for $172.50 per share in cash, reflecting an enterprise value of approximately $7.3 billion.

July 28, 2023

July 28, 2023 • 1-minute read

Deals & Cases

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Announces Closing of Public Offering and Concurrent Private Placement

Vinson & Elkins advised Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the completion of a public offering and concurrent private placement of shares of its common stock.

June 5, 2023

June 5, 2023 • 1-minute read