Shellie Weisfield Freedman

Life Sciences

• Transcend Therapeutics, Inc. in its pending $1.225 billion sale to Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
• Amicus Therapeutics (Nasdaq: FOLD), a biotechnology company, in its pending $4.8 billion sale to BioMarin Pharmaceutical (Nasdaq: BMRN)
• Avidity Biosciences (Nasdaq: RNA), a biopharmaceutical company committed to delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics called Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates, in its pending $12 billion sale to Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS), and the related spin-off of its early-stage precision cardiology programs
• Patient Square Capital in its $2.6 billion acquisition of Premier (Nasdaq: PINC), a provider of health care improvement solutions
• Moderna in its research and development collaboration agreement and patent licensing with Immatics for the development of mRNA-enabled oncology therapeutics
• LEO Pharma, a global medical dermatology company, on its exclusive global license and transfer agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim
• Hellman & Friedman in its $1 billion carve-out acquisition of Cordis, a manufacturer of cardiology and endovascular interventional devices, from Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH)
• Pharvaris N.V. (Nasdaq: PHVS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, in an amendment to its license agreement with AnalytiCon Discovery (now BRAIN Biotech) for global rights to develop and commercialize certain bradykinin B2 receptor antagonists for hereditary angioedema (HAE)
• Pharmaceutical company in its negotiation with Vir Biotechnology of a proposed collaboration and license agreement relating to development and commercialization of a COVID-19 therapeutic, along with a related clinical trial agreement and services agreement
• Eli Lilly in the following licensing-related transactions:
  • strategic collaboration and patent license agreement with Lycia Therapeutics to use Lycia’s LYTAC platform to develop therapeutics
  • collaboration and patent license agreement with Kumquat Biosciences for exclusive access to Kumquat's technology to discover potential novel oncology therapeutics
  • and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dermira, in an outbound license agreement with Evommune for three development programs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases
  • collaboration agreement with Quanterix Corporation (Nasdaq: QTRX) to advance the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
• Eli Lilly in the following acquisitions:
  • pending $1.3 billion acquisition of Verve Therapeutics (Nasdaq: VERV), a
    pharmaceutical company developing genetic medicines for cardiovascular disease
  • $3.2 billion acquisition of Morphic (Nasdaq: MORF), a biotechnology company that is developing oral integrin therapies for treatment of serious chronic diseases
  • $1.925 billion acquisition of Versanis Bio, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company
  • acquisition of Emergence Therapeutics AG, a private German biopharmaceutical company developing novel antibody drug conjugates
  • acquisition of Akouos, a precision genetic medicine company that is developing gene therapies for the treatment of hearing loss and other inner ear conditions
  • acquisition of Protomer Technologies, Inc., a developer of a proprietary protein-engineering platform
  • $1.4 billion acquisition of POINT Biopharma (Nasdaq: PNT), a radiopharmaceutical company
  • $1.075 billion sale of its BAQSIMI product, a nasally administered glucagon, to Amphastar Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: AMPH)
• Arya Sciences Acquisition Corp. in its:
  • proposed acquisition of the gene therapy business of Amicus Therapeutics (Nasdaq: FOLD)
  • $1.3 billion combination with Nautilus Biotechnology
  • $1.3 billion business combination with Cerevel Therapeutics, Inc.
• Akero Therapeutics on its $5.2 billion Sale to Novo Nordisk
• Biopharmaceutical company that develops immunotherapy cancer treatment in its patent licensing agreement with another clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company
• Dechra Pharmaceuticals in its $520 million acquisition of Invetx, a provider of protein-based animal health therapeutics, from Novo Holdings
• V-Wave, a provider of medical devices, in its $1.7 billion sale to Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ)
• Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, in its take-private acquisition of medical device company Soliton (Nasdaq: SOLY) for approximately $550 million
• Pharvaris N.V. (Nasdaq: PHVS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel small molecule antagonists for the treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE), in its initial public offering (IPO)
• Evotec SE (Nasdaq: EVO), a drug discovery and biologics manufacturing company, in its initial public offering (IPO)
• Multiple pharmaceutical companies in their purchase or sale of a Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PRV) from another pharmaceutical company

Media & Entertainment

• Blackstone in its $1.6 billion acquisition of Hipgnosis Songs Fund and a catalog of more than 45,000 songs by artists such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Journey, and Shakira, and in its asset-backed securitization of such assets
• Virgin Music Group, the global independent division of Universal Music Group, on the $775 million proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings LLC
• Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBD) on a new corporate structure that will comprise two divisions: Global Linear Networks and Streaming & Studios, enhancing strategic flexibility and creating future value-creation opportunities for each division
• Universal Music Group in its $240 million investment in Chord Music Partners, a portfolio of music assets
• Bedford Productions in its carve-out acquisition of the fashion, art, business and culture publication i-D Magazine from media company Vice Media Group
• MNRK Music Group in its sale of the entire Death Row Records label, including masters, publishing, and the iconic brand, to Snoop Dogg
• Aleph Capital Partners and Crestview Partners in their investment in Saber Interactive, a video game developer and provider of interactive entertainment
• Leading financial investor in evaluating acquisition of a leading performing rights organization, involving royalty collection and distribution
• Blackstone, a leading alternative investment manager, in its:
  • transformative partnership with Hipgnosis Song Management to deliver c.$1 billion to acquire and manage song catalogues, with follow-on catalogue purchases from iconic artists including Kenny Chesney, Leonard Cohen, Erika Ender, Justin Timberlake, TMS and Justin Bieber
  • carve-out acquisition of eOne Music (now known as MNRK Music Group), an independent music business whose recording division features chart-topping artists
• Thomas H. Lee Partners-backed Nextech, a provider of clinical and Francisco Partners in its acquisition of Kobalt, a music company powered by innovative technology created as an alternative to the traditional music-business model
• Kobalt Music Group in its partnership with investment funds managed by Morgan Stanley Tactical Value to invest more than $700 million to acquire music copyrights
• HARMAN in its acquisition of Roon, a music management, discovery and streaming platform
• Hello Sunshine, a mission-driven media company founded by Reese Witherspoon, in its sale to a newly formed company run by entertainment executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs and backed by Blackstone

Software & Services

• KKR, a leading global investment firm, in its:
  • acquisition of CoolIT Systems, a provider of scalable liquid cooling solutions
  • sale of Calabrio, a customer experience intelligence company
  • acquisition of Corel Corp., a software company specializing in graphics processing
• $4.475 billion acquisition of the Atlantic Aviation business of Macquarie Infrastructure Corp.
• Thomas H. Lee Partners-backed Nextech, a provider of clinical and administrative healthcare technology solutions, in its $1.4 billion sale to TPG
• BC Partners in its $2.1 billion take-private acquisition of Presidio (Nasdaq: PSDO), a provider of digital infrastructure, cloud and security solutions for commercial and public sector customers
• Nexus Capital Management LP, in its carve-out acquisition of Pearson’s US K12 courseware business

Food & Beverage

• McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) in its:
  • sale of Dynamic Yield to Mastercard (NYSE: MA), a personalization platform and decision engine company, to Mastercard (NYSE: MA)
  • sale of McD Tech Labs to IBM (NYSE: IBM), a developer of an AI-enabled voice system intended to automate Drive-Thru order taking experience, to IBM (NYSE: IBM)
• Butterfly Equity a Los Angeles-based private equity firm specializing in the food sector in its:
  • acquisition of a majority stake in Pete and Gerry's Organics, a producer of organic, free-range and pasture-raised eggs
  • investment in MaryRuth Organics, a health and wellness brand operating in the vitamins, minerals and supplements industry
  • $510 million carve-out acquisition of Bolthouse Farms, a manufacturer of organic beverages and dressings, from Campbell Soup Co.
  • backing of Modern Restaurant Concepts in its acquisition of QDOBA, a fast-casual Mexican restaurant
  • backing of Generous Brands in its acquisition of Health-Ade, a maker of kombucha tea beverages, from First Bev and Manna Tree Partners
• Bolthouse Farms in its acquisition of Evolution Fresh, a producer of primarily organic, cold-pressed, premium juice products, from Starbucks Corp. (Nasdaq: SBUX); included two supply agreements whereby Evolution Fresh would provide juice products to Starbucks
• Peet’s Coffee on various commercial agreements with Keurig Dr. Pepper for the distribution of Peet’s cold brew ready-to-drink products
• Ahold Delhaize, one of the world’s largest food retail groups, in its acquisition of FreshDirect, LLC, an operator of an online retail platform selling food and grocery products

Consumer Products, Services & Brands

• WHP Global on a definitive agreement to form a new joint venture with Lands’ End Inc. (Nasdaq: LE), a provider of apparel, swimwear, outerwear, accessories, footwear, home products and uniforms
• Chantecaille Beaute, a prestige beauty company, in its up to $690 million sale to Beiersdorf (XETRA: BEI)
• Bed Bath & Beyond in connection with a $500 million in rescue financing
• Stripes Group in controlling investment into Khaite, a luxury fashion company known for its polished staples, further strengthening the Company’s plans to expand into new markets
• Le Tote Inc., a leading fashion rental subscription service, in its acquisition of Lord + Taylor, a 193-year-old department store chain
• WHP Global in its:
  • joint acquisition of New York-based fashion brand rag & boneacquisition of G-Star RAW, a denim fashion brand, to license the brand and earn royalties
  • acquisition of a controlling interest in Tru Kids, parent company to the iconic Toys”R”Us®, Babies”R”Us®, Geoffrey® the Giraffe brands and more than 20 established related consumer toy and baby brands
  • $115 million acquisition of Joseph Abboud trademarks from Tailored Brands, Inc. (NYSE: TLRD)
• BC Partners on the sale of a minority stake in PetSmart to asset manager Apollo

Travel & Hospitality

• Wyndham Destinations on its acquisition of the Travel + Leisure brand, travel clubs, and all other related assets from Meredith Corporation, together with a long-term license back to Meredith Corporation for its magazine and digital content operations and multiple content and data licenses
• Wynn Interactive, the online gaming division of Wynn Resorts (Nasdaq: WYNN), in its $3.2 billion business combination with Austerlitz Acquisition Corporation I (NYSE: AUS.U), a special purpose acquisition company

Energy & Infrastructure

• Delphi Technologies, a global provider of propulsion technologies, on its sale to BorgWarner Inc., a global product leader in clean and efficient technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles
• TPG Capital-backed Transplace, a provider of transportation and supply chain management solutions, in its $2.25 billion sale to Uber Freight
• Ares Acquisition Corp. in its definitive business combination agreement with X Energy Reactor Co., LLC (X-energy), a leading developer of small modular nuclear reactors and fuel technology for clean energy generation
• TPG Rise Climate, as lead investor, in the $750 million growth investment in Intersect Power, an independent developer of solar, energy storage, hydrogen, wind and other renewable power generation projects

Financial Services

• Motive Partners in its majority stake investment in the investment services business of Fiserv, Inc.
• Helios Holdings Limited in its combination with Fairfax Africa Holdings Corporation to create a leading pan-Africa focused listed alternative asset manager
• Trilantic North America on its investment in AEGIS Hedging Solutions, a leading fintech and advisory solutions provider for commodity price and interest rate risk management

Prior to joining Kirkland, Shellie was involved in matters including the following:

• Merck in connection with a global strategic oncology collaboration with AstraZeneca to co-develop and co-commercialize certain antibody therapies
• Merck in connection with several potential strategic acquisitions in the oncology space
• A global medical device manufacturer in connection with its carve-out divestiture of assets related to certain product manufacturing processes and entry into a long-term supply arrangement
• Colgate-Palmolive Company in the entry into multiple strategic alliances, license and development agreements and asset acquisitions related to smart toothbrush technology and other consumer products
• The Clorox Company in its strategic acquisition of Nutranext, a health and wellness company