CMS advises Aenova on merger with Haupt Pharma

The Aenova Group signed an agreement with the owners of Haupt Pharma Group in mid-October to acquire a majority of the the group. Aenova is a significant player in the pharmaceu-tical and healthcare sector. Haupt Pharma AG specialises in development and contract manufac-turing for the pharmaceutical industry. By acquiring Haupt Pharma, the Aenova Group has gained a partner with which it can expand its portfolio strategically. The transaction is currently awaiting approval from the competition authorities.

An international team led by Hamburg-based M&A partner Dr Jacob Siebert advised Aenova and majority shareholder BC Partners on all aspects of the due diligence and contract negotia-tions. CMS Hasche Sigle was supported by CMS law firms in Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland and Luxembourg and by World Law Group partner firm City-Yuwa Partners. Dr. Bernt Elsner, Partner of CMS in Vienna is advising on merger control related questions in Austria.

BC Partners acquired the Aenova Group in September 2012 from the previous owners, Bridge-point, adding the Temmler Group shortly afterwards. Almost a year after its successful acquisi-tion of the Temmler Group, annual sales of the Aenova Group rose on completion by around 60% to more than EUR 750 million. A CMS team also advised on all aspects of these previous transactions.