Strategic Life Sciences Transactions

Advises leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies on high-value strategic collaborations, licensing transactions, and complex commercial arrangements. Focuses on partnering deals across the full product lifecycle, from early-stage research to global commercialization:

Selected Highlights

• Advised BioNTech on a series of major strategic collaborations, including a landmark collaboration and license agreement with Sanofi for the joint development and commercialization of mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies, as well as a strategic collaboration with Genmab for the co-development and co-commercialization of bispecific antibodies.

• Represented Polpharma Biologics on multiple strategic out-licensing and manufacturing transactions underpinning a long-term global commercialization partnership with Sandoz, including a global exclusive license and supply agreement for its natalizumab biosimilar (Tyruko®), a first-to-market biosimilar to Tysabri, now commercially launched in the US and EU.

• Represented Secarna Pharmaceuticals on a research and option agreement with Denali Therapeutics (Nasdaq: DNLI) for the development of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies targeting neurodegenerative diseases, as well as on a research and licensing collaboration with Protalix BioTherapeutics (Nasdaq: PLX) for antibody-ASO combination therapies.

• Advised Affimed on its license and development collaboration with Genentech for the co-development of novel NK-cell engager-based immunotherapies across multiple oncology targets (USD 96 million upfront; up to USD 5 billion in milestones, plus royalties).

• Represented Evotec on several R&D collaborations and licensing transactions, including a multi-year strategic partnership with Sandoz for the development and manufacturing of multiple biosimilars.

Additional Experience

• Advised Glycotope, a German biotech company focusing on tumor-specific glycosylation patterns, on a license and development collaboration with Octapharma relating to the use of Glycotope’s proprietary GlycoExpress® technology, and a license agreement with Linton Pharm regarding the out-licensing of Glycotope’s follicle stimulating hormone FSH-GEX in China.

• Advised University Hospital Cologne (UKK), one of Germany’s leading academic research centers in virology, on several major licensing and spin-off projects, including the out-licensing and joint development of an HIV therapeutic to Vir Biotechnology and various out-licensing agreements with BioNTech and other partners in the field of infectious diseases.

• Advised the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), a Germany-wide research consortium with more than 500 scientists and physicians from 35 institutions, on a large-scale cooperation and license option agreement with AiCuris Anti-Infective Cures aimed at the development of novel antiviral therapies for immunocompromised patients.

• Advised Navigo Proteins on a series of strategic collaborations in radiotheranostics and targeted therapies, including multiple alliances and out-licensing transactions with international partners.

• Represented Benfovir, a German biotech company developing antiviral therapies, on a license and development agreement and related manufacturing agreement with Miskawaan Parenteral (Hong Kong) relating to Benfo-Oxythiamine (B-OT) for the treatment of dengue fever and other viral infections in Southeast Asia.

• Advised MerLion Pharmaceuticals, a German biotech company developing fluoroquinolone-based anti-infectives, on the exclusive U.S. out-licensing of XTORO® (finafloxacin otic suspension) to Fonseca Biosciences, including U.S. distribution and commercialization rights for the treatment of acute otitis externa.

• Advised biotx.AI, a German biotech company specializing in AI-driven drug discovery, on an exclusive license agreement with HB.Bio (Vienna) regarding biotx.AI’s proprietary causal-AI platform for clinical trial design and target discovery.

Commercial Agreements

Serves as trusted outside counsel to life sciences companies on complex, high-value commercial agreements, including manufacturing and supply, clinical trial, R&D, and strategic partnering arrangements.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Advises on complex M&A transactions and carve-outs, with particular experience in healthcare and life sciences-related transactions:

• Advised Novartis on its business swap with GSK comprising (i) the sale of Novartis’ vaccine business to GSK (deal value: USD 5.3 billion), (ii) the acquisition of GSK’s oncology business by Novartis (deal value: USD 16 billion), and (iii) the creation of a joint venture for Novartis’ and GSK’s consumer health business, including all carve-out related matters (IP, manufacturing, distribution transfer, etc.).

• Advised Novartis on the carve-out and sale of its animal health business to Eli Lilly (deal value: USD 5.4 billion).

• Represented Fresenius Digital Technology (FDT) on “Project SPLIT”, one of the largest healthcare IT deals worldwide, involving the deconsolidation of Fresenius Medical Care (FME) and the large-scale outsourcing of central IT systems to Capgemini, covering approx. 1,000 sites in more than 80 countries.

• Advised TPG on the acquisition of Aareon, a leading European SaaS provider for the real estate industry, from Aareal Bank and Advent International, at an enterprise value of approximately EUR 3.9 billion.

• Advised Novartis on the sale of several manufacturing sites worldwide and the potential restructuring of sites into multi-user infrastructure parks, including the negotiation of all related operational agreements (manufacturing agreements, site services agreements, lease agreements, transitional services agreements, etc.).

• Advised Warburg Pincus on the acquisition of a majority stake in Uvex, a leading provider of protective equipment, whith the founding families retaining significant minority stakes (alongside Kirkland & Ellis as lead counsel).

• Advised urban apes Group, a leading operator of bouldering gyms in Germany, on its acquisition of Steinbock Group, creating the largest operator of bouldering gyms in the DACH region.

• Advised KPS Capital Partners on the acquisition of all shares in Sport Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of artificial turf systems as well as sports and leisure flooring with annual revenues of more than EUR 500 million.

• Represented Dodenhof, a leading German retail and real estate group, on the carve-out of its furniture business and joint venture with XXXLutz under the brand “XXXLutz Dodenhof”.

• Advised BC Partners on the EUR 1+ billion sale of Aenova, a leading global pharma services provider, to Kühne Holding and E3X.

• Advised BP International on the acquisition of ICP, a German developer of payment technology, hardware and software for service-station terminals.

• Advised Stepstone on its acquisition of Studydrive, an e-learning platform facilitating the exchange of study materials among university students across DACH/NL.

• Advised Axel Springer on the creation of a joint affiliate marketing network by combining AWIN and affilinet, resulting in Axel Springer holding 80% and United Internet 20% in the merged entity.

• Advised Carlyle on its EUR 450 million public takeover offer for SNP Schneider-Neureither, a listed German IT company specializing in SAP data management solutions, at EUR 61 per share.

• Advised Tradedoubler on its acquisition of Zezam (KAHA GmbH), a German creator-commerce platform, to integrate Zezam into its influencer business Metapic.

• Advised Permira on its acquisition of TeamViewer, a leading German software provider for remote desktop applications and online meetings, from GFI Software (an Insight Ventures portfolio company).