Vinita Kailasanath

Kailasanath draws on a background in molecular and cellular biology in her intellectual property and life sciences transactions practice. Prior to becoming a lawyer, she earned a master's degree in molecular and cellular biology from Stanford and conducted graduate-level neuroendocrinology research.

"I realized that, as interesting as color changing fish were, maybe there was more that I wanted to do in life than study these little cichlid fish," she said. "I was a 'biology and something' person, but was it biology and business? Biology and law? I did what a lot of undecided people do; I became a management consultant."

She worked for various pharmaceutical, medical device and biotech companies. Then, while handling a product launch for Amgen, she realized she was a "biology and law" person.

"Everything I did on the business side went through legal, so if I really wanted to be at the intersection of science and technology, the true innovators, the business folks and the lawyers to help bring these innovative products to life, it made sense for me to go to law school," she said.

Kailasanath, who began at Freshfields about six months ago, represents life science and technology companies, health care providers and investors in connection with the development, protection and commercialization of cutting-edge products and technologies. She also advises clients on licenses and collaborations, strategic investments, R&D and supply agreements, and the IP aspects of mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures.

While still at Arnold & Porter, she represented AstraZeneca in agreements for the funding and global distribution of the University of Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine. This enabled AstraZeneca to provide global access to the Oxford vaccine at no profit during the pandemic.

Among various funding, manufacturing and supply agreements, Kailasanath took the lead on forging an agreement with the Serum Institute of India to support the manufacturing, procurement and distribution of a billion doses of vaccine specifically allocated for low and middle-income countries.

"That was probably one of the most impactful deals that I'll ever work on," she said. "That vaccine directly helped some of my elderly relatives in India. It's wonderful when you can see the work you're doing as a lawyer really having this immediate, real-world impact."

Kailasanath is active within the pro bono space, and a strong proponent of diversity within the firm. She is the West Coast leader of the APSAA Network, the firm's resource group for Asian/Pacific/South Asian/American attorneys and staff. She is also involved in the firm's Women's Initiative Network, a resource group for women with a particular focus on issues affecting diverse female associates.

"I'm also supportive of bringing in historically underrepresented law students to work at the firm," Kailasanath said. "There's a really interesting opportunity for lawyers and law firms, clients and companies to work together to improve the pipeline of folks who are joining the legal profession. That's something I feel very strongly about."

- JenniferChungKlam