Vinita Kailasanath

With a background in molecular and cellular biology and more than 10 years of experience advising life sciences and technology clients, Vinita Kailasanath is recognized as a leading lawyer in the merging of these sectors for the development of cutting-edge digital health ecosystems. She has extensive experience in deals at the intersection of life sciences and technology, a unique skill set in the legal world.

One notable case in which Kailasanath served as lead counsel within the past two years is Capsida Biotherapeutics’ collaborations with Prevail Therapeutics and AbbVie. These collaborations involve the development of gene therapies for serious diseases affecting the central nervous system and eye.

“I led the negotiation of multiple, extremely complex, multimillion-dollar strategic license and collaboration transactions for Thousand Oaks-based Capsida Biotherapeutics,” she said. “The collaborations are to develop best-in-class, IV-administered gene therapies directed to specified targets known to cause serious diseases that affect the central nervous system and eye. These deals are as complex as life sciences collaborations ever get and included equity elements, complex R & D and commercial milestones, tiered royalties and options to participate in development and commercialization in exchange for gross margin shares, as well as many other additional nuanced provisions.”

“These collaborations are key partnerships for Capsida as it prepares to become a commercial-stage company. The first collaboration with AbbVie (which I helped to negotiate) has been so successful that I was retained to assist with an expanded strategic collaboration with AbbVie,” Kailasanath continued.

She highlights the trends in the health care field that require attention, such as the integration of MedTech offerings, digitization and the use of cutting-edge technologies.

“For example, there is great enthusiasm for the use of generative AI tools in health care to rapidly provide more targeted clinical diagnoses and treatment plans, streamline patient records and related documentation, and increase clinicians’ medical knowledge by automating review of literature,” Kailasanath said. “However, such technologies also pose liability, regulatory compliance and other risks, particularly when launched globally. The interplay between intellectual property, life sciences regulatory, data protection/cybersecurity and antitrust regimes is increasingly complex and evolving daily.”

Outside of her legal practice, Kailasanath actively participates in various initiatives. She leads recruiting efforts at Stanford Law School, mentors associates and supports diversity and inclusion efforts. She is involved in resource groups for Asian/Pacific/South Asian/American attorneys and staff, as well as women’s initiatives. Kailasanath plays a key role in the Silicon Valley 1L Diversity Fellowship, providing opportunities for first-year law students from underrepresented groups. She also engages in pro bono work related to reproductive rights and the arts.

Kailasanath’s involvement extends beyond her firm. She serves as a LCLD Fellow and a UCSF Health Hub Advisor. She participates in discussions on technology transactions at prominent venture capital firms and startup accelerators in Silicon Valley. Additionally, she is an active member of ChIPs, a women’s technology law/policy group.