Gilbert + Tobin have advised Beach Energy Limited (Beach Energy) on the successful completion and financial close of its $1.585 billion acquisition of Lattice Energy Limited (Lattice Energy) from Origin Energy Limited. Lattice Energy holds interests in conventional upstream oil and gas assets across Australia and New Zealand, including in the Otway, BassGas, Halladale Speculant and Black Watch, Kupe, Waitsia, Beharra Springs and Cooper Basin gas projects.

Completion and financial close of the transaction occurred on 31 January 2018.

Davis Polk advised Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. ("Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico") and Banco Santander (Mexico), S.A., Institucion de Banca Multiple, Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico ("Banco Santander (Mexico)") on Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico's merger with and into Banco Santander (Mexico), its principal subsidiary. Shareholders received one share of Banco Santander (Mexico) for each share of Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico held, and Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico ceased to exist as a separate legal entity upon consummation of the merger.

With a team led by Dr. Pär Johansson, Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek advised Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH (Haniel) on the acquisition of Optimar, a leading provider of automated fish processing systems. Norwegian financial investors Credo Partners and the company's management are the sellers. The current management team led by CEO Håvard Sætre will continue to run Optimar as part of Haniel group. With this acquisition, Haniel is further expanding its portfolio in an innovative business area.
 

Paris office represents Schmolz + Bickenbach in its successful bid to take over Asco Industries.

On January 29, the Strasbourg regional court (Tribunal de Grande Instance) announced that Schmolz + Bickenbach had been selected as buyer of a substantial part of the assets of Asco Industries as part of reorganization proceedings opened on November 22, 2017.

Schulte advised Murray Energy Corporation and its affiliates as buyers in the Chapter 11 case of Armstrong Energy Inc. Part of a restructuring plan, the acquisition contemplates the formation of a new company with Armstrong's existing secured bondholders. Pending  approval by the bankruptcy court, the new company will produce low-chlorine, high-sulfur thermal coal and manages coal preparation and shipment facilities.

Sanofi and Ablynx, a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of Nanobodies®, entered into a definitive agreement under which Sanofi will offer to acquire all of the outstanding ordinary shares, which represents an aggregate equity value of approximately €3.9 billion. Linklaters advised Ablynx on the deal.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sanofi will launch public offers to acquire all of the outstanding ordinary shares (including shares represented by ADSs), warrants and convertible bonds of Ablynx in cash.

Clifford Chance is advising SABIC, a world leader in chemicals, on its proposed acquisition of approximately 83 million shares in global chemicals company Clariant from 40 North and Corvex Management. The acquisition would make SABIC the largest Clariant shareholder. SABIC currently has no plans to launch a full takeover of Clariant.

The deal marks another step towards SABIC's plans to become a global leader in chemicals, offering product differentiation and value to customers. SABIC is 70% owned by the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund, Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Clifford Chance advised investment company Prolimity Capital Partners on the acquisition of the WOCHENBLATT of the Lake Constance and Upper Swabia region in the context of insolvency proceedings. The WOCHENBLATT with its more than 500,000 readers per week has been published for 45 years. The publication was due to be liquidated in November 2017 based on a decision taken by the former owner, and became insolvent as a result.

DLA Piper has advised Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC on the acquisition of AST Farma and Le Vet in the Netherlands for a total consideration of €340 million and an associated £100m placing to raise funds for the transaction.

DLA Piper has advised Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC on the acquisition of AST Farma and Le Vet in the Netherlands for a total consideration of €340 million and an associated £100m placing to raise funds for the transaction.