DLA Piper has represented Aetna Inc. (the Company) on the acquisition of Bupa Group’s Thai business, Bupa Thailand, for an undisclosed sum. Aetna is a leading global healthcare provider and this acquisition will significantly increase Aetna’s presence in Asia, and is key to the company’s strategy to go ‘broader and deeper’ into local healthcare markets.

This is a significant and exciting expansion for Aetna in Asia, as Aetna’s expertise, paired with Bupa Thailand’s deep knowledge of the local healthcare system and culture, will offer customers in Thailand broader choice and continue to build on Bupa Thailand’s first-rate service.

Heng Loong Cheong, lead Corporate partner said: "We are delighted to have been entrusted by Aetna with this important mandate as their international (English law) deal counsel and Thai law counsel to assist them with getting this deal closed as part of their significant Asia expansion plans."

Bupa Thailand is Thailand’s leading specialist health insurer, with more than 300,000 members and a network of over 400 healthcare providers in the country. Bupa Thailand will continue to operate under the Bupa brand for a short time before rebranding as Aetna.

The DLA Piper team was led by partner Heng Loong Cheong (Corporate, Hong Kong and Singapore) and included senior associate Farrah Saleem (Corporate, Singapore), associate Ken Chau (Corporate, Hong Kong), trainee Jonathan Wong (Corporate, Hong Kong), of counsel Chadaporn Ruangtoowagoon (Corporate, Thailand), associate Patthanawach Nuntawowart (Corporate, Thailand), and associate Kanokkorn Viriyasutum (Corporate, Thailand).

The DLA Piper M&A team was also supported by the firm's Litigation and Regulatory, IPT and Tax teams, including partner Peter Shelford (Litigation and Regulatory, Thailand), senior consultant Michael Turnbull (Litigation and Regulatory, Hong Kong and Thailand), senior associate Robert Tang (Litigation and Regulatory, Thailand), associate Patsharamon Manathat (Litigation and Regulatory, Thailand), partner Scott Thiel (IPT, Hong Kong), of counsel Carolyn Bigg (IPT, Hong Kong), associate Maggie Wong (IPT, Hong Kong), trainee Nathan Ma (Corporate, Hong Kong), partner Anderson Law (Tax, Hong Kong) and associate Michelle Wong (Tax, Hong Kong).