A scientist in a biological protective suit.

Cue Biopharma Inc. turned to Big Law for its newest general counsel.

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based cancer drug startup announced the appointment of Colin Sandercock as its senior vice president and general counsel. Most recently, Sandercock was a life sciences patent partner in Washington, D.C., at Seattle-based Perkins Coie.

“Colin brings deep legal expertise and life sciences experience to the company, adding further strength to our executive team,” Cue president and CEO Daniel Passeri said in a statement.

Cue, founded in 2015, develops immunotherapy drugs, which inhibit or activate a body's immune response to fight diseases such as cancer. It has developed an immunotherapy drug designed to treat cervical and other cancers driven by the human papilloma virus (HPV), according to the statement.

In 2009, Sandercock was part of a seven-person IP team that moved to Perkins Coie from Proskauer Rose, where he co-chaired the firm's life science practice group. Before joining Proskauer Rose, he had stints at Heller Ehrman (now dissolved) and Foley & Lardner.

Sandercock is joining Cue just as it intends to go public. In September, the 26-employee company announced plans to raise up to $40 million in an initial public offering, according to an article in the Boston Business Journal.

Sandercock holds degrees from Moravian College and the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America. He also received a master's of science in engineering degree in chemical and biochemical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.