Locust Walk

Asia Transactions

Bridging Global Innovation Through Local Connectivity in China

Locust Walk helps Chinese biopharma companies navigate complex Western markets, connecting Chinese innovation with global expertise. Our on-the-ground team in China combines deep market knowledge, regulatory insight, and strong industry relationships to accelerate strategic transactions and newco creation.

Our China Capabilities

What We Do

  • Identify high-value public and private Chinese biotechs with differentiated assets, preferably clinical stage
  • Support clients on sell-side global licensing and M&A transactions designed for the Chinese market
  • Co-found US-based NewCos based on Chinese assets in an arms-length process to maximize value for all stakeholders, the originator, NewCo co-founders, and new investors. We focus our NewCos on assets that have pharma strategic interest yet might be slightly early for a global strategic transaction

What Sets Us Apart

  • Embedded Local Team: Professionals with extensive China deal experience, speak Mandarin, and broad relationships throughout the ecosystem yet executed by our US deal team
  • Unique Partner Access: Deep relationships with global pharma, biotech, and investors to bring differentiated Chinese assets to a global audience
  • Scientific Rigor & Market Intelligence: Since our entire deal team has a scientific rigor and/or material experience working in industry enables effective asset
    positioning and selling to relevant buyers
  • Full Transaction Execution: From initial evaluation to negotiation and closing across licensing, M&A, and NewCo creation

Bridging Global Innovation Through Local Insight in Japan

Locust Walk helps biopharma companies navigate complex Asia markets, connecting global innovation with local expertise. Our on-the-ground team in Japan combines deep market knowledge, regulatory insight, and senior industry relationships to accelerate strategic transactions.

Japan Capabilities

What We Do

  • Structure licensing, M&A, and strategic collaborations for global pharma and biotech doing deals with Japanese companies
  • Supporting Japanese pharma and biotech execute global sell-side or buy-side transactions to access external innovation
  • Navigate cultural nuances to ensure seamless execution and alignment

What Sets Us Apart

  • Local Expertise: Japanese-speaking team embedded in Tokyo the past 12 years
  • Trusted Relationships: Connections with the C-suite of all leading Japanese pharma players
  • End-to-End Execution: Managing process from deal launch to closing

Our China Capabilities

Locust Walk’s China team provides end-to-end support for companies seeking to source innovation from or expand partnerships into China.

What Sets Us Apart:

Holistic Market Intelligence

We go beyond public data—combining local sentiment, ecosystem insights, and informal indicators to assess opportunities.

Embedded Local Team

Our China team operates in-market, backed by global processes to ensure deal quality and consistency.

Unique Dealflow Expertise

We navigate six distinct company types and understand the regulatory, policy, and access dynamics others often miss.

Proven Deal Process

Our two-phase approach, from target ID to deal close, reduces friction and improves outcomes.

Our Japan Capabilities

Locust Walk’s Japan practice is led by senior experts with deep relationships across the Japanese biopharma ecosystem, spanning large pharmaceutical companies, biotechs, and investors.

What Sets Us Apart:

Deep-Rooted Relationships

Our team has longstanding ties across Japanese pharma, enabling privileged access and trusted dialogue with key decision-makers.

Local Insight, Global Execution

We combine cultural fluency and local regulatory knowledge with global dealmaking expertise to deliver effective cross-border outcomes.

Strategic Navigation of the Japanese Landscape

We help clients overcome barriers posed by language, governance, and market nuance, while capitalizing on Japan’s scientific rigor, strong regulatory infrastructure, and global partnership appetite.

Track Record Across Deal Types

From licensing and M&A to new company creation and spinouts, our Japan team has successfully executed diverse transactions aligned with client strategy.

Meet Our Asia Leadership

Hiroshi Yamamoto

Managing Director, Japan
Eric Liu

Eric Liu

Managing Director, China

Peter Chiu

Senior Advisor, Taiwan

Asia-Focused Insights

2025 Q3 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions

Biotalk Episode 28: 2025 Q2 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions

Episode 31: Asia’s 2025 Q3 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions

China Supermarket

Start the Conversation

Looking to explore a transaction in China or Japan? Our team is ready to help.
To schedule a meeting, contact us at asia@locustwalk.com.

Scroll to Top