Schoenherr served as lead counsel to life sciences group Roche on its acquisition of Dutalys GmbH, a privately held biotechnology company based in Vienna, Austria. Dutalys specializes in the discovery and development of fully human, bi-specific antibodies based on their proprietary DutaMabs technology. The bi-specific antibodies developed with this platform are designed to provide novel, best-in-class molecules for several therapeutic areas. Under the terms of the agreement announced 18 December 2014, Roche will make an upfront cash payment of USD 133.75 mn to Dutalys shareholders and make additional contingent payments of up to USD 355 mn based on the achievement of certain predetermined milestones.

Dutalys was founded in April 2010. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and neuroscience.

The Schoenherr team advising Roche was led by Florian Kusznier (partner; Corporate/M&A) and included Guido Kucsko (partner; IP), Bernd Rajal (partner; Regulatory), Franz Urlesberger (partner; Competition), Maximilian Lang (attorney; Corporate/M&A), Tamara Gaggl (associate; Corporate/M&A), Georg Schuh (associate; Corporate/M&A), Mark Tuttinger (associate; Regulatory) and Adolf Zemann (associate; IP).

The sellers were advised by Michael Barnert of Barnert Egermann Illigasch Rechtsanwälte.