Steve Przesmicki

STEVE PRZESMICKI focuses his practice on corporate and securities law, and regularly serves as outside corporate counsel to public and private companies. He advises clients on SEC compliance and corporate governance, public and private financings, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and venture capital transactions. Over the course of his career, Steve has represented issuers and underwriters in securities offerings and has advised on M&A transactions ranging from under 10 million to several billion U.S. dollars. He also counsels clients on a range of complex transactions, including debt redemptions, joint ventures, option-exchange tender offers, and strategic commercial arrangements.

Steve has represented companies across industries, including biotechnology, medical devices, vaccines, diagnostics, gaming equipment technology, consumer and enterprise software, and ecommerce. His clients range from early stage emerging growth companies to publicly traded corporations.

The in-house experience Steve has acquired, including having led the legal department of a public technology company, provides him with a practical, business-focused perspective that directly benefits his clients today. He understands how legal advice is evaluated within an organization, against operational realities, budget constraints, investor expectations, and strategic priorities. Steve has firsthand insight into how legal decisions intersect with financial reporting, capital markets activity, regulatory scrutiny, and growth initiatives. This experience enables Steve to deliver counsel that is not only technically sound, but also pragmatic, efficient, and aligned with his clients’ broader business objectives.

Steve has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® for Corporate Law (2011–2026). Before attending law school, Steve served as an officer in the United States Navy.

• Dynavax Technologies Corporation, a publicly traded vaccines company, on its:
  • US$70 million follow-on offering;
  • US$200 million convertible debt offering;
  • At-the-Market offering with Cowen and Company;
  • Open market stock repurchase program and accelerated stock repurchase;
  • US$225 million convertible debt re-financing;
  • Defense of its successful proxy contest against Deep Track Capital, including its adoption of a shareholder rights plan; and
  • Acquisition by Sanofi for US$2.2 billion.
• Kodiak Sciences Inc., a precommercial retina focused biotechnology company, on its US$184 million follow-on offering.
• PlayAGS (AGS), publicly traded supplier of slots, tables and interactive gaming products, on its acquisition by affiliates of Brightstar Capital Partners for $1.1 billion.
• Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc., a subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd., on the formation of its joint venture with ICU Medical, Inc.
• Hengrui Pharma on the equity component of its exclusive license agreement with Braveheart Bio.
• Longboard Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, on its:
  • Formation, US$56 million Series A financing, and spinout from Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.;
  • US$80 million initial public offering;
  • ATM offering with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.;
  • US$210 million follow-on offering; and
  • Acquisition by Lundbeck for US$2.6 billion.
• Field Medical Inc., a pioneer in cardiac pulsed field ablation technology, on its Seed, Series A, and Series B financings.
• Sciwind Biosciences on the equity component of its licensing and collaboration agreement with Verdiva Bio.
• Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, on its acquisition by Pfizer for US$6.7 billion.
• Gaming Arts, a supplier of slot machines, bingo and keno solutions, and electronic table games, on its acquisition by Merkur Group.
• Sirius Therapeutics on the equity component of its strategic development partnership with CRISPR Therapeutics.
• Vincerx Pharma, Inc. in connection with its stock option repricing and option exchange tender offer.
• CorHepta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. on its acquisition by Inhibikase Therapeutics, Inc.
• Arena Pharmaceuticals in connection with multiple debt and equity financing transactions over 20 years that resulted in excess of an aggregate of US$2 billion in proceeds.
• AnaptysBio, Inc. on its US$250 million Royalty Purchase Agreement with Sagard Healthcare Royalty Partners.
• Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc. on its acquisition by Labcorp for up to US$575 million.
• PetDx, Inc., a molecular diagnostics pet health company, on its Series B financing.

• Board member, Tech San Diego
• Board member, San Diego Cyber Center of Excellence

For over 15 years, Steve has represented the Monarch School Project, which provides comprehensive academic, social, and emotional support to unhoused youth.  

Steve has also represented The Patrons of the Prado, which is committed to raising funds to benefit arts, science, and cultural centers on the Prado in San Diego’s Balboa Park, and Semper Fi & America’s Fund, which serves critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families.