Chemicals and pharmaceuticals
We have considerable expertise advising companies in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. From transactional to operational and competition and regulatory requirements, our lawyers are experienced in handling all manner of complex issues with clients ranging from major multinational groups through to owner managed businesses.
Examples of our expertise in the chemicals and pharmaceuticals industry include:
Apposite Healthcare Fund
Advising Apposite Healthcare Fund on the sale of its investment in PharmaKodex Limited.
Bionostics plc
Advising Bionostics plc on a number of matters including the sale of its respiratory division to nSpire Health, the sale of its cardiac division to Spacelabs Healthcare and its take private.
Elder Pharmaceuticals Limited
Advising Elder Pharmaceuticals Limited, listed on the Mumbai Stock Exchange, on its acquisition of a 20 per cent stake in Neutrahealth Plc, an AIM quoted company.
Finnish Chemicals
Acting for Finnish Chemicals in the sodium chlorate cartel, securing a 50 per cent reduction in the fine imposed by the European Commission and advising on issues relating to a subsequent claim for damages in the Dutch courts.
H. Lundbeck A/S
Advising H. Lundbeck A/S, the Danish pharmaceutical group, on its $147m acquisition of LifeHealth Limited, which holds rights to Tetrabenazine, a compound used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of Huntingdon's disease. We also advise them in relation to their licensing arrangements, clinical trial arrangements, regulatory issues and transactional matters.
Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
Advising Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd on its proposed merger with another Japanese chemicals company requiring competition clearances in various jurisdictions including the EU and Russia. This case was the first to be cleared with behavioural remedies in China following the adoption of revised merger control rules.
Pinewood Laboratories Limited
Acting for the complainant in connection with the OFT investigation into anti-competitive behaviour by Reckitt Benckiser in the supply of its Gaviscon heartburn treatment. As a result, in October 2010, Reckitt Benckiser admitted liability and agreed to a pay a fine of £10.2m. This is the first fine imposed by the OFT in an abuse of dominance case since 2003.
Welsch Carson Anderson & Stowe
Advised Welsch Carson Anderson & Stowe on the $1.8bn recommended offer for the NASDAQ listed United Surgical Partners International (which had a significant UK medical services business).
