Wragge & Co advises on cross-border life sciences M&A deal

Wragge & Co's Corporate group has advised new client Bioline group on its US $23.3 million (£15.2 million) cross-border acquisition by NASDAQ-listed Meridian Bioscience Inc.

Corporate partner Kevin Jones led a cross-firm team advising the shareholders of Bioline, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of molecular biology reagents to the research market with operations in the UK, US, Germany and Australia. The deal represents a strategic acquisition for Cincinnati-based Meridian Bioscience Inc, as it looks to increase its activity in the specialist reagent market.

Marco Calzavara, founder and CEO of Bioline, said: "Kevin and the team at Wragge & Co provided exemplary legal support which enabled us to conclude the sale of Bioline within an aggressive time schedule, but without compromising the agreement. We received exactly the right blend of legal advice and commercial pragmatism that we needed."

Kevin Jones added: "This was a complex, cross-border transaction, which involved coordinating various parties in different jurisdictions. Our wide-ranging M&A experience, life sciences expertise and our commercial, sector-focused approach ensured we achieved a successful outcome within a challenging timescale."

Corporate associate Chris Towle, solicitor Amar Adatia, life sciences partner Pat Duxbury and employment specialist Chloe Lawton also supported. The team worked closely with US-based Cooley Godward Kronish to ensure compliance with Delaware law, Australia-based Blake Dawson and Germany-based Uwe Rößler. Keating Muething & Klekamp advised Meridian Bioscience Inc.

Operating as one team from London, Birmingham and Paris, Wragge & Co's 70-lawyer Corporate group handles the complete range of corporate finance work. It specialises in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, IPOs, joint ventures, public takeovers, share schemes, complex corporate structuring and tax. Highlights include advising cross-Channel operator Eurotunnel Groupe on the acquisition of rail freight operator GBRf from FirstGroup plc for an undisclosed sum.

Wragge & Co's cross-firm life sciences practice delivers a unique mix of IP, corporate, antitrust, regulatory and dispute resolution advice to many industry leaders.Its clients range from start-ups to multi-nationals and the team is increasingly involved in high-profile, international transactions. Experience includes acting for long-standing client Astex Therapeutics Limited on its £300 million drug discovery alliance with healthcare giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).