UK Competition and Consumer Regulator Sets Key Regulatory Priorities for 2026 – 2027
The UK Competition and Markets Authority released its 2026‑27 Annual Plan, marking the first detailed rollout of its 2026‑2029 strategy. The plan pivots toward aggressive enforcement of the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act, prioritising consumer protection, especially around false information, fake reviews and hidden fees. It also emphasizes support for SMEs and startups, AI‑driven market monitoring, and alignment with the government’s eight Industrial Strategy sectors. Finally, the CMA will use lighter‑touch market studies and targeted merger oversight to foster growth while curbing anticompetitive conduct.
Stricter Chinese Scrutiny of Offshore Vehicles a Blow for Tech and Biotech IPO Candidates
Chinese regulators are intensifying scrutiny of offshore listing structures, a move that threatens the pipeline of tech and biotech companies seeking U.S.-dollar IPOs. Historically, Cayman Islands vehicles have funneled foreign capital into Chinese firms, but new compliance requirements could deter...
EU AI Act: Second Draft of Code of Practice on Transparency and Watermarking Published
The European Commission released the second draft of its Code of Practice on Transparency for AI‑generated content, moving the guidance from high‑level concepts to concrete operational rules. Key new obligations include mandatory digitally signed metadata, free EU‑localised detection tools, and...
Bell Textron Secures Dismissal of State Claims in Osprey Product Liability Litigation
Bell Textron won a decisive victory in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania as Judge John F. Murphy dismissed all state‑law claims in the Osprey product‑liability suit. The court held that the federal Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) fully...
CFTC Issues No-Action Relief to Self-Custodial Crypto-Wallet Application
On March 17, 2026 the CFTC’s Market Participants Division issued a no‑action letter to Phantom Technologies, a self‑custodial crypto‑wallet provider, stating it will not enforce IB registration requirements. Phantom plans to let users access CFTC‑regulated derivatives through third‑party collaborators while...
Neurocrine Acquisition of Soleno for $2.9 Billion
Neurocrine Biosciences announced a $2.9 billion cash deal to acquire Soleno Therapeutics, a company focused on novel rare‑disease treatments. The transaction broadens Neurocrine’s endocrinology and rare‑disease pipeline, adding late‑stage candidates and commercial assets. Cooley LLP, Neurocrine’s long‑time corporate counsel, led the...
Is FDA Moving the Goalposts on 483 Responses? What the New Draft Guidance Means for Your Company
The FDA released its first draft guidance outlining how drug, biologic and veterinary manufacturers should respond to Form FDA 483 observations. The document mandates a structured response—including an executive summary, risk assessments, and detailed remediation plans—and requires identification of the...
Drinks With The Deal: Cooley’s Proffitt on Leading Through Change
Rachel Proffitt, Cooley’s partner and CEO, sat down on the Drinks With The Deal podcast to outline her leadership philosophy for navigating rapid change. She highlighted the importance of flexible organizational structures, proactive talent management, and the strategic use of...
‘Cracks Show’ as CDRH Staff Contend With Heavy Workloads
The U.S. Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) is grappling with heavy workloads after a year of staff reductions, according to Cooley counsel Son Nguyen. Remaining reviewers report heightened case volumes and frequent mid‑application decision changes, creating uncertainty for...
Daily Journal Names Cooley Partner Among Leading Litigators
Michael Attanasio, a Cooley partner, was named by the Daily Journal as one of California’s Leading Commercial Litigators. The accolade highlights his role in high‑stakes cases, notably securing a temporary restraining order, a permanent injunction, and summary judgment against a...
Korsana Biosciences Announces Merger With Cyclerion Therapeutics, Concurrent $380 Million Private Financing
Korsana Biosciences announced a merger with Cyclerion Therapeutics, accompanied by a $380 million private placement. The financing round was led by Fairmount and Venrock Healthcare Capital, with participation from a slate of prominent venture and institutional investors. Cooley LLP represented the...
New York’s Frontier AI Law Gets a California Makeover – With Some Key Differences
New York’s amended Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act, signed on March 27, 2026, aligns closely with California’s Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act (TFAIA) by adopting the same frontier‑AI framework and transparency‑report requirements. The law revises key definitions,...
Cooley Shortlisted for Seven Awards at ALB China Law Awards 2026
Cooley has been shortlisted for seven Asian Legal Business China Law Awards in 2026, covering firm‑wide, deal‑specific and individual categories. The firm earned nominations for International Law Firm of the Year, International Deal Firm of the Year, Capital Markets Law...
Cooley Maintains Top Rankings in Global M&A and Private Equity
Cooley’s global M&A and private‑equity practices retained top positions in Bloomberg’s Q1 2026 league tables. The firm ranked #1 worldwide in both life‑science and technology deal counts, #3 overall M&A, and #2 in private‑equity transactions. It advised on high‑profile deals...
Investors Are Suing Over Proxy Proposals – Here’s What to Know
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has withdrawn its longstanding Rule 14a‑8 no‑action process, removing the informal guidance companies relied on for shareholder proxy proposals. In response, investors are filing lawsuits challenging the validity of certain proxy proposals under the new...
Geron Corporation Secures Dismissal of Federal Securities Class Action
Geron Corporation and its officers secured a dismissal without prejudice of a federal securities‑fraud class action tied to the launch of its blood‑cancer drug RYTELO. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria ruled the plaintiffs failed to allege a plausible intent to...
Textron Aviation Secures Summary Judgment
Textron Aviation, a subsidiary of industrial conglomerate Textron, secured a summary judgment that dismissed a lawsuit filed by more than 400 owners of its Cessna TTx aircraft. The plaintiffs alleged cosmetic window cracking and claimed breaches of express and implied...