View All Attorneys

Attorneys

Fred D. Hutchison

Fred works with a variety of companies, from startups and university spinouts to publicly held companies, in a wide range of industries but with particular emphasis on the biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device, healthcare services, software and advanced materials industries. Fred’s practice is focused on corporate, venture capital, securities and mergers and acquisitions. He regularly counsels clients not only on their legal needs, but also on the business issues involved in starting and growing companies.

Prior to founding Hutchison in 1996, Fred was a partner at Petree Stockton & Robinson (now Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton) and Moore & Van Allen. Fred spent five years practicing in the municipal finance, securities, banking and bank regulatory areas with Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C.

Recognition, Affiliations & Memberships

  • Managing Partner 2018-2021
  • Member, French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Carolinas (FACCC)
  • CEO of the Year Award, Triangle Business Journal, 2017
  • Business North Carolina Legal Elite for Business, 2017
  • North Carolina Entrepreneur Hall of Fame, 2016
  • Leading Individual, ​Chambers and Partners​, recognized annually since 2013
  • Founding President, Council for Entrepreneurial Development
  • Former Chairman, Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce (1993-1994)
  • Former Chairman, Business Innovation Technology Advancement Center (1988-1991)
  • Founding Chairman, The Sports Council in Raleigh
  • Former Chairman, Triangle Community Foundation (2005-2006)
  • Former Director, North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association
  • Co-Chair of the Sponsorship Committee, 2009 BIO Conference
  • Former Director (2004-2020), Former Chairman (2004-2011) of the Board of Directors, First Flight Venture Center
  • Former Director (2007-2014), Former Chairman (2009-2011) of the Board of Directors, NC IDEA
  • Member, LawExchange International, Executive Committee (2007-2011)
  • Board of Advisors, Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator (2005-2013)
  • Partner, Research Triangle Ventures, LP (2000-2015)
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers, recognized annually since 2006
  • Best Lawyers in America, recognized annually since 2001, including 2019 Lawyer of the Year
  • Entrebizneur of the Year, Business Leader Magazine, 2007
  • Order of the Long Leaf Pine, 2006
  • University of Virginia Tech Transfer & Ventures Advisory Group, 2009
  • Angel investor over the last 30 years in a variety of life sciences and technology companies
  • Recognized in The Best Lawers® in America 2023 for work in: Corporate Law, Technology Law, and Venture Capital Law

Education 

  • J.D., University of Virginia, 1975
  • B.S., Business Administration, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1971

Admissions

  • North Carolina
  • District of Columbia

Recent Speeches & Conferences

  • CED panel on M&A transactions (November 2016)
  • UVA Entrepreneural Cup - Judge (Fall 2015)
  • GAIN ShootOut - Judge (2011 - 2016)
  • Healthbox (healthcare IT accelerator, Chicago, IL) - Speech on startup issues (February 2012)
  • SEBIO - Moderator for panel on “Leveraging Technology” (November 2011)
  • Virginia Tech - Moderator for panel at “Small Buck, Bang!” Conference (September 2011)
  • SEBIO - Judge, Early Stage Shoot-Out (2006 - 2013)
  • Financings for and sale of Aldagen, stem cell therapy company
  • Licensing, financings and strategic investments for AlphaVax, a vaccine company
  • In-licensing for Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, a gene therapy company from University of Florida
  • In-licensing and clinical study and research agreement with Duke University for Argos, a fully personalized immunotherapies company
  • Various matters for Asymchem, supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients
  • Numerous non-disclosure, development and supply agreements with implantable medical device companies for ATEX Technologies, a manufacturer of textile components
  • Representation in investments for various venture funds, including Lilly Ventures, Atlas Venture and Eshelman Ventures
  • Various matters including fundraising for Camras Vision, a glaucoma shunt company
  • Represented Covis Pharma, a specialty pharmaceutical company, in purchase of U.S. rights to various pharmaceutical products
  • Initial Public Offerings for multiple life science companies, including Pozen, Icagen and Trimeris
  • Startup, financing and sale of Phoundry Pharmaceutical, a GlaxoSmithKline spinout company
  • Startup and financing matters for QUE Oncology, a company that provides anti-inflammatory treatment for breast cancer patients
  • Sale of Serenex, a biotech company with Heat Shock Protein 90 Inhibitor to Pfizer
  • Various in-license agreements and material transfer agreements for Transgeneron, a company that provides treatment for diabetes

Fred and John are highly responsive and knowledgeable. We are always impressed with the quick responses and thoughtful advice. We trust their advice and appreciate their partnership approach.

Susan Nichols CEO, Falcon Therapeutics

Our M&A deal would not have resulted in such a positive outcome without Hutchison. The entire team, headed by Fred Hutchison, was very knowledgeable, pragmatic, patient and dedicated throughout the entire M&A process. 

Thuy Dancik Principal, Dancik International

Having Fred's and Marty's help gave us the confidence to move forward quickly with investors and enabled us to easily reach our fundraising goals. We're excited to continue working with them both as the company continues to grow.

Margaret Aery COO, Ramona Optics, Inc.


Recent Blog Posts