Ashurst has advised Barclays Infrastructure Funds ('BIF'), an investment vehicle specialising in infrastructure, on the acquisition of a 51 per cent stake in Vimercate Salute S.p.A., the company that developed and currently manages the new Vimercate hospital, in the region of Lombardy, Italy.

BIF has acquired the stake from Pessina Costruzioni S.p.A. and INSO S.p.A., part of the Condotte Group. Both INSO and Pessina will remain minority shareholders and operators of the hospital.

Designed by Mario Botta, the hospital is one of the most modern and advanced in the healthcare system of the region of Lombardy, with an overall capacity of 538 beds, 10 operating rooms, a helicopter runway and a 1,200 capacity car park.

Commenting on the deal partner Carloandrea Meacci said:

"We are very pleased to have assisted Barclays on this deal, which is one of the very first investments of a foreign infrastructure fund in the Italian healthcare sector. We are confident that it will pave the way to further deals in this industry."

The Ashurst team was led by partner Carloandrea Meacci, assisted by senior associate Annamaria Pinzuti and associate Elena Macchi. Partner Paola Flora advised on tax aspects. Pessina Costruzioni has been advised by CBA Studio Legale Associato and Inso by Studio Legale Romagnoli.

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