Rowland Cheng advises Chinese and international clients on a range of corporate and finance transactions.

Mr. Cheng regularly represents international financial institutions, strategic investors, and Chinese corporations in a wide range of transactions, including:

  • Private equity and venture investments
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Joint ventures
  • Secured and unsecured financings

Mr. Cheng began practicing in the Los Angeles office of Latham & Watkins and was previously resident in the firm's offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, and San Francisco.

Recognition Highlights

Leading Individual in China Corporate and M&A by The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2022

Mr. Cheng is recommended by market sources for his skills in dealing with transactions with a US element. “He has the benefit of being a US-trained attorney and he understands what US companies are concerned about,” one client says, further highlighting his other key strengths: “He has fantastic communication skills and availability.” Chambers Asia-Pacific 2018

Mr. Cheng’s representative transactions include advising:

  • Genesis MedTech, an Asia-based healthcare platform which seeks to bring innovative medical technology to the PRC market, in its acquisition of Hua MedTech, a provider of integrated healthcare solutions to stroke patients based in China
  • Shockwave Medical, Inc., a pioneer in the development of intravascular lithotripsy to treat severely calcified cardiovascular disease, in its joint venture with Genesis MedTech to bring coronary and peripheral IVL to patients in China
  • Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in the formation of Angel Pharmaceuticals, a new China-based biopharmaceutical company launched with PRC investors including Tigermed and Hisun Pharmaceuticals to bring innovative Corvus clinical-stage candidates to China 
  • Ascential plc, the FTSE 250 specialist information, data, and analytics company, on the acquisitions of Yimian Data, a Chinese digital commerce data solutions provider; Hangzhou Duozhun Data Technology, specializing in media trading execution in China; and 4K miles, a digital commerce advertising business serving Chinese brands trading on Amazon marketplace 
  • Amgen in its US$2.7 billion investment in and strategic collaboration with Beijing-based BeiGene focused on developing and commercializing oncology treatments in China    
  • Calysta in the formation of a joint venture with Bluestar Adisseo to commercialize proprietary aquaculture feedstock products in the PRC and Asia-Pacific    
  • Juno Therapeutics, in the establishment with Wuxi AppTec and financing of the JW Biotechnology joint venture focused on developing and commercializing cell therapy technologies in China
  • PV Capital in the sale to Yunfeng Capital of Enova Holdings, the China rights holder for Formula E series of electric car races    
  • Mattel, Inc. in its joint venture and strategic collaboration with Babytree for China-based child development and learning centers    
  • Boston Scientific Corporation in connection with its joint venture investment into and restructuring of Suzhou Frankenman, a Chinese developer of therapeutic devices       
  • Dick Cook Studios (DCS) in connection with the US$650 million equity and film slate financings provided by CITIC and other PRC investors to capitalize DCS    
  • Accel Partners in its US$75 million investment in DJI, a leading Chinese drone and robotics manufacturer        
  • Nature’s Sunshine Products in its joint venture with and PIPE investment by Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.        
  • Complete Genomics, a developer of DNA sequencing products and services, in its US$118 million sale to China's BGI-Shenzhen       
  • Foster Wheeler Asia Pacific in its joint venture with Hebei Petrochemical Design Institute Co., a PRC state-owned contractor of chemical and petrochemical construction       
  • Bright Foods (Group) Co., Ltd., a Shanghai-based PRC State-owned entity operating in the foods and nutrition sector, in various transactions, including:
    • Its US$516 million acquisition of Manassen Foods, a food producer and distributor based in Australia
    • Its US$3 billion bid to acquire GNC Holdings, a leading US-based vitamin and supplement chain retailer
    • Its proposed £2.2 billion acquisition United Biscuits plc, a leading British multinational food manufacturer
    • Its acquisition of 60% of the equity interests in Yunnan Yinmore Sugar Company

Bar Qualification

  • California

Education

  • JD, Harvard Law School, 1995
  • BA, Boston University, 1990

Languages Spoken

  • English
  • Chinese (Other)