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Global Law Firm gunnercooke Expands US Practice in Life Sciences and Immigration
gunnercooke, a high-growth, high-performance full service corporate and commercial law firm has announced today the addition of attorneys Anna Zhao, a Life Sciences Partner, and He Xian, Ph.D., an Immigration Partner. Both partners will be based in New York. Zhao and Dr. Xian are the 5th and 6th lateral partner in the US to join gunnercooke US in 2024.
Anna Zhao’s experience covers a broad array of technologies, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, drug delivery systems and medical devices, mechanical devices, and software. Her expertise intersects between regulatory, commercial transactions, and policy matters. Drawing on her regulatory expertise, Zhao regularly assists companies in negotiating and drafting an array of life sciences agreements, such as research agreements, clinical trial agreements, expanded access agreements, manufacturing and quality agreements, and collaboration and licensing agreements.
Dr. Xian has guided over 50 Chinese companies to establish or expand their US operations and workforces. Dr. Xian advises a broad range of clients from large scale state-owned enterprises and public companies to start-up companies in industries including automotive, battery, artificial intelligence, agriculture, food processing and packaging, infrastructure, IT and engineering services.
“We are excited to welcome Anna Zhao and Dr. He Xian to gunnercooke. Anna’s depth of expertise in life sciences, combined with her ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, will be invaluable to our clients as they innovate and grow in highly regulated industries. He’s exceptional track record in guiding international businesses, particularly Chinese enterprises, through the intricacies of U.S. operations and workforce development, strengthens our ability to support global clients entering or expanding in the U.S. market. Their combined skill sets reflect our firm’s commitment to providing world-class legal counsel across a spectrum of industries and jurisdictions,” said Noreen R. Weiss, gunnercooke’s U.S. Chair.
“The breadth of Zhao’s and Dr. Xian’s extensive experience will serve to enhance the firm’s strong and growing global footprint,” said Ms. Weiss.