Ashurst  advised CapVest Partners LLP on the acquisition of NextPharma, a leading pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organisation, from an affiliate of Sun European Partners.

The proposed transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

The Ashurst team comprised lawyers from the London, German and Paris offices.

The London team was led by corporate partner Nick Rainsford, assisted by senior associate Braeden Donnelly and associate Jake Hadfield. Employment advice was provided by partner Crowley Woodford, assisted by senior associate James Almond. Partner Isabelle Lentz and senior associate Paul Witte provided advice on the Luxembourg law aspects of the transaction. Partner Nick Gardner advised on the tax aspects. Competition advice was provided by partner Neil Cuninghame.

The German team was led by corporate partner Holger H. Ebersberger, assisted by associate Nicole Kaps. Counsel Dr Marius Fritzsche (employment law), senior associate Holger Mlynek (contract law), senior associate Michael Mehler and associate Felix Bergfort (both real estate, all Frankfurt) also advised. Partner Ute Zinsmeister provided competition advice, assisted by senior associate Maria Held.

Paris partner Nataline Fleury also provided employment advice.