Synageva BioPharma and Trimeris Announce Merger Agreement

Ropes & Gray represented Synageva BioPharma Corp., a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutic products for rare disorders, in a merger agreement with Trimeris, Inc., announced June 13. The merger will create a publicly traded company focused on the development of novel therapeutics for patients with rare diseases and unmet medical needs.

Upon completion of the merger, Synageva stockholders will own 75 percent of the combined company's shares and Trimeris stockholders will own 25 percent.

The Ropes & Gray deal team included Boston-based partner Marc Rubenstein and associates Zach Blume, Erik Paulson (M&A); Boston-based partner Loretta Richard and associate Jenny Rikoski; Boston-based partner Eric Elfman (tax); Washington, D.C.-based partner Al Cacozza (FDA); and Boston-based partner Anita Varma and associate Melissa Rones (intellectual property).