Intellectual Property Partners Edward (Ted) Behm, Jr. and Hui-Shan Sandra King, Pharm.D. served as IP counsel to client LAVA Therapeutics, a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, in a multimillion-dollar global license agreement with Seagen, Inc., a world leader and pioneer in antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapies.

The exclusive license agreement will enable Seagen to develop, manufacture and commercialize LAVA-1223, an advanced preclinical asset that utilizes LAVA’s proprietary Gammabody™ technology to target epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing solid tumors, most commonly associated with colorectal, lung, head and neck cancer. As termed within the agreement, Seagen will pay LAVA $50 million upfront, and up to approximately $650 million in potential development, regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as royalties on future sales.

The Armstrong Teasdale team handled the IP-related agreement terms, including due diligence and vetting, with Ballard Spahr serving as counsel on additional terms.

Behm’s broad knowledge includes the preparation and prosecution, litigation and counseling of clients in intellectual property opinion, transactional, and capitalization and acquisition matters. He advises both established and startup companies in all phases of IP-related transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, IP valuations and fundraising strategies. In addition, Behm has significant experience in representing clients in reexamination, reissue, and Inter Partes review proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

King is a licensed pharmacist who applies deep scientific and medical knowledge in counseling clients at the intersection of health care technology and law. She focuses her practice on patent preparation and prosecution in health care and life sciences, and has extensive experience conducting due diligence studies in support of licensing and acquisitions. She has prepared more than 500 patent opinions in the course of her career.