Freshfields is representing AstraZeneca in connection with its acquisition of Gracell Biotechnologies Inc., a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative cell therapies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases, furthering the AstraZeneca cell therapy ambition.  The proposed acquisition will enrich AstraZeneca’s growing pipeline of cell therapies with GC012F, a novel, clinical-stage FasTCAR-enabled BCMA and CD19 dual-targeting autologous chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, a potential new treatment for multiple myeloma, as well as other haematologic malignancies and autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Freshfields previously announced also advising AstraZeneca on its $1.1bn acquisition of Icosavax.

The Freshfields team is led by corporate/M&A partners Sebastian L. Fain and Zheng (Jonathan) Zhou together with senior associate Abigail G. Hathaway and associates Jenny Park, Chinyere Obi, Marvin Galloway and Ruth Levy with assistance from Ya Ma in Beijing. Counsel Jeff Jay and associates Madeleine Tavcar, Dylan O’Connor and Shannon O’Hara advised on life sciences matters; partners Nicole Foster and Sarah Ghulamhussain, counsel Stephanie Chiu and associates Lina Zhu and Meilun Chenadvised on executive compensation and benefits; partners May Smith and Claude Stansbury with senior associate Rose Swaffield and associate Hannah Golden advised on tax matters; partners Mary Lehner, Simon Priddis, Jenny Leahy and Ninette Dodoo, counsel Laura Onken and associates Kristy Brown, Tim Swartz and Kara King advised on competition matters; counsel Christine Laciak advised on foreign investment matters; partner Stephanie Brown Cripps and associate Marcus Levyadvised on sanctions matters; partners Christine Lyon and Brock Dahl and associate Maria Paz Lestido advised on privacy and cybersecurity matters. Chinese law advice was provided by Chinese firm RuiMin, which is part of Freshfields’ StrongerTogether network of leading domestic law firms.