DLA Piper has advised on the merger of Doctena and Docbook; the two leading providers of online medical appointment booking systems in Belgium. The two companies will continue their growth under the Doctena name. The aim of the merger is to increase the companies' market share in Belgium and expand their application into international markets.

The forecasted market growth of online booking system for patients in search of a doctor has persuaded the two companies to join forces with the hopes of cementing their position as market leader and to become the go-to place for patients wanting to make a doctor appointment.

Patrick Van de Mosselaer, the co-founder of Docbook, who will now become the CEO of Doctena Belgium, said: "We are more valuable together. Why should we individually invest in the development of a technical platform and the commercial rollout if instead we can focus on improving relations with doctors?" To date, Van de Mosselaer estimates almost one thousand doctors have registered with Doctena, leaving them with a significant growth potential within Belgium alone.

The DLA Piper team was led by Luxembourg Country Managing Partner Catherine Pogorzelski and the Head of the Corporate practice group in Belgium, Caroline Daout, and included senior associates Xavier Guzman (Corporate, Luxembourg) and Stéphane Robyns de Schneidauer (Corporate, Belgium).

Catherine Pogorzelski said: "This merger will bring many advantages to Doctena and Docbook, not least by reducing their administrative workload and the amount of missed appointment by patients through the automated reminder system. We look forward to following the continued development of the companies and the sector overall."

Caroline Daout added: "It is a great opportunity and a privilege to have assisted in this transaction which has unlocked untapped potential in a new niche market."