Robert T.S.Latta (Rob)

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San Diego + 1.858.314.1140

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Rob Latta is an intellectual property transactions lawyer focusing on life sciences and environmental sustainability. He advises clients on a range of life science, agrifood, and technology transactions, including licensing, strategic alliances, joint ventures, confidentiality, manufacturing, supply, and distribution agreements. Rob's technical background coupled with extensive experience working within the life sciences allows him to bridge the gap between life sciences and computer sciences industries, particularly in matters related to computational biology and bioinformatics matters.

Rob has extensive experience negotiating complex cross-border collaboration agreements, particularly between the United States and South America, Europe, and Asia, as well as establishing multiparty international drug registries. He also assists clients with evaluating IP in due diligence and negotiates to secure optimal IP positions in connection with the acquisition or divestment of assets in the United States and abroad.

Rob has worked with leading companies in the life sciences and environmental sectors, such as Astellas, Athersys, Biomarin, Celgene, Cibus, Granite Construction, Milliken, NorthStar Group, Organon, Procter & Gamble, and Sanofi.

Rob's technical experience includes small molecule, biologics, gene editing and therapy, medical devices, data management, artificial intelligence, software, and electrical engineering.

Prior to joining Jones Day, Rob was an associate in the San Diego offices of two international law firms where he predominantly worked in patent prosecution and assisted in patent litigation and technology-based transactions. At the start of his career, he practiced intellectual property law in the Columbus, Ohio office of a national law firm.

Experience

  • J.F. Lehman & Company portfolio company acquires White Lake Dock & DredgeJones Day advised J.F. Lehman & Company in the acquisition and financing by portfolio company, ENTACT, LLC, of White Lake Dock & Dredge, Inc.
  • Cibus combines with CalyxtJones Day advised Cibus Global, LLC (“Cibus”), a San Diego based leader in precision gene editing in agriculture, in connection with an all-stock merger with Calyxt, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLXT), under which Cibus and Calyxt created an industry-leading company that combines two pioneers in agriculture-based gene editing and establishes one of the world’s most sophisticated facilities for trait development and plant breeding.
  • Large financial institution provides $275 million senior secured credit facility to dynamic distribution and manufacturing companyJones Day represented a large financial institution, as administrative agent and lead arranger, in connection with senior secured credit facilities in the aggregate amount of $275 million provided to a large multi-divisional distribution and manufacturing company supporting the food service industry, comprised of a $150 million revolving credit facility and a $125 million delayed draw term loan facility.
  • Astellas enters into strategic collaboration and exclusive option license agreement with ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd.Jones Day represented Xyphos Biosciences, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc., "Astellas") in connection with a research collaboration and exclusive option license agreement with ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd. (NASDAQ: IPA), an AI-driven biotherapeutic research and technology company.
  • AAR acquires TraxJones Day advised AAR CORP. in the acquisition of Trax USA Corp., a leading independent provider of aircraft MRO and fleet management software, for a purchase price of $120 million in cash, plus up to a $20 million earn-out payment based on specified adjusted revenues in calendar year 2023 and 2024.
  • NioCorp combines with GX Acquisition Corp. IIJones Day advised NioCorp Developments Ltd. (TSX: NB; OTCQX: NIOBF) in its business combination with GX Acquisition Corp. II (Nasdaq: GXII), a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition corporation.
  • EagleTree Capital acquires PRA EventsJones Day represented EagleTree Capital in connection with its acquisition of PRA Events, Inc., a leading business event management firm, from CI Capital Partners.
  • Organon makes strategic investment in Claria MedicalJones Day advised Organon in the strategic investment in Claria Medical, Inc. a privately-held company developing an investigational medical device being studied for use during minimally invasive laparoscopic hysterectomy.
  • UPL sells stake in Advanta Enterprises to KKRJones Day advised UPL Limited in its $300 million sale of a 13.33% stake in its subsidiary, Advanta Enterprises Limited, to KKR.
  • Marubeni sells global grain business of Gavilon Agriculture InvestmentJones Day advised Marubeni Corporation in the sale of the global grain business of Gavilon Agriculture Investment, Inc. to Viterra Limited, following a reorganization of Gavilon’s structure.
  • EagleTree Capital acquires MacKenzie-Childs from Castanea PartnersJones Day advised EagleTree Capital in the acquisition and financing of MacKenzie-Childs, the artisan-driven American heritage home decor brand, from Castanea Partners.
  • ACI Worldwide divests corporate online banking solutionsJones Day advised ACI Worldwide, Inc. in the $100 million divestiture of its corporate online banking solutions to One Equity Partners.
  • Signature Aviation sells TAC Air FBOs to Atlantic AviationJones Day advised Signature Aviation in its divestiture of three TAC Air fixed base operations at Omaha, Nebraska (OMA); Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (RDU); and Hartford, Connecticut (BDL) to Atlantic Aviation.
  • Cardinal Health acquires the Bendcare CPO-GPO entity and makes a minority investment in the Bendcare MSOJones Day advised Cardinal Health, Inc. in the acquisition of the Bendcare group purchasing organization (CPO-GPO) entity and a minority investment in the Bendcare management services organization (MSO).
  • Plastic Omnium acquires ams OSRAM Automotive Lighting Systems from ams OSRAM GroupJones Day advised Plastic Omnium in the acquisition of the Automotive Lighting Systems (AMLS) business of ams OSRAM Group in a highly complex international carve-out transaction.
  • Astellas enters into collaboration and exclusive license agreement with GenerianJones Day advised Astellas Pharma Inc. and its affiliate Mitobridge, Inc. in connection with a collaboration and exclusive license agreement with Generian Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to discover and develop novel small molecules for undruggable therapeutic targets.
  • Armor sells stake in ARMOR-IIMAK to AstorgJones Day advised EN5, controlling shareholders of the Armor group, on the management buyout of Armor Iimak group and the simultaneous 40% investment by Astorg Midcap in the Armor Iimak group.
  • Signature Aviation acquires 14 TAC Air locations Jones Day advised Signature Aviation in the acquisition of the TAC Air business of The Arnold Companies.
  • Monster Beverage acquires CANarchyJones Day advised Monster Beverage Corporation in the $330 million acquisition of CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective LLC, a craft beer and hard seltzer company.
  • City of Hope acquires Cancer Treatment Centers of AmericaJones Day advised City of Hope, a world-renowned, National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer research and treatment organization, in connection with its acquisition of Cancer Treatment Centers of America, a network of oncology hospitals and outpatient care centers across the United States.
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