Managing Partner: Scott B. Townsend, Esq.
Scott B. Townsend provides clients the benefit of his extensive in-house and law firm experience as a business lawyer. Having served as the General Counsel for several public life science companies and as a corporate and transactional lawyer in private practice at several law firms, Mr. Townsend has advised regarding the day-to-day business and legal issues facing companies in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries.
From September 2019 to January 2026, Mr. Townsend served as Senior Vice President of Legal and Chief Corporate Counsel for Voyager Therapeutics, Inc., a public biotech company (VYGR). While at VYGR, Mr. Townsend provided legal advice on a variety of day-to-day legal and business matters as well as business development transactions that raised in excess of $400 million in non-dilutive financing (e.g., collaborations and licenses with companies including AbbVie, Neurocrine Biosciences, Novartis and Pfizer). While at VYGR, he negotiated key agreements with contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) and contract research organizations (CROs). From 2012 to 2016, Mr. Townsend served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary for AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMAG), a public biopharmaceutical company. While at AMAG, he provided legal advice on a variety of day-to-day legal and business matters as well as strategic transactions, including AMAG’s acquisition of Lumara Health and its product MAKENA ®, a variety of manufacturing and supply agreements, clinical trials in a variety of countries, and financings raising over $1.2 billion in equity and debt. From 2008 to 2009, Mr. Townsend served as the General Counsel, Executive Vice President of Legal Affairs and Secretary for Cornerstone Therapeutics Inc., a publicly-traded specialty pharmaceutical company, after its acquisition of Critical Therapeutics. From 2004 to 2008, he served as SVP of Legal Affairs, General Counsel, and Secretary for Critical Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly pharmaceutical company with commercial products and biotech research programs.
History
Prior Law Firms
Prior to going in-house in 2004, Mr. Townsend served as a Junior Partner in the Corporate Department at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP. He also served as a corporate lawyer at Goodwin Procter LLP and Kilpatrick Stockton LLP. While in private practice, Mr. Townsend advised companies on a variety of transactions, including venture financings, M&A and public offerings.
Advisory
Boardmember Expereince
Mr. Townsend served as the Co-Chair of the advisory board of a business incubator and served as a board member of several non-profits. He has delivered presentations to business groups on a variety of topics, including venture capital financing, M&A, technology transfer and public offerings.
Education
UVA Law & Bowdoin College
Mr. Townsend received his J.D. from The University of Virginia School of Law and his A.B. magna cum laude from Bowdoin College with a double-major in Economics and Government and Legal Studies.
Areas of Practice
01
CDAs / NDAs
A Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA), commonly referred to as a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) or Proprietary Information Agreement (PIA), is a legally binding contract that protects confidential information shared between parties during discussions or collaborations.
02
Consulting Agreements
A consulting agreement is a legally binding contract between a client and an independent contractor (consultant) that defines the scope of work, compensation, and duration of services. It protects both parties by detailing intellectual property ownership, confidentiality, and liability.
03
CMO / CDMO Agreements
Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) (focused on production) and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) (offering end-to-end development and production) are essential pharmaceutical partners for scaling, compliance, and efficiency,
04
CRO Agreements
A Contract Research Organization (CRO) is an entity (commercial, academic, or other) that provides outsourced pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device research services.
05
Clinical Trial Agreements
A Clinical Trial Agreement (CTA) is a legally binding contract between a study sponsor (e.g., pharmaceutical company) and a research site (e.g., university, hospital) that defines roles, responsibilities, funding, and intellectual property rights for a trial.
06
Technology Transfer Matters
Technology transfer is the critical process of moving scientific findings, intellectual property, and innovations from research institutions and universities to the commercial sector. By licensing patents or creating startups, this mechanism bridges the gap between lab research and market application, fueling economic growth, creating jobs, and delivering new products to society.