Ipsen Acquires Five Sanofi Consumer Healthcare Products

16 February 2017 / PARIS – Dechert LLP advised Ipsen on the antitrust and regulatory aspects of its acquisition of five consumer healthcare products in certain European territories from Sanofi for a total value of approximately €83 million.

The most significant product is Prontalgine®, an analgesic which has rapidly grown over the last years and is available only in France. The portfolio also includes four other products marketed in eight European countries, mainly in Eastern Europe: Buscopan®, an antispasmodic; Suppositoria Glycerini®, a laxative; and Mucothiol® and Mucodyne®, expectorants for cough and flu.

The divestment of these five products by Sanofi results from its commitments offered to the European Commission in the context of its merger with Boehringer Ingelheim Consumer Healthcare Business, cleared on August 4th, 2016.

The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including the European Commission’s approval, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2017. The transaction will be fully financed by Ipsen’s existing cash and lines of credit.

Ipsen was advised by Dechert on the antitrust and regulatory aspects of this transaction. The Paris-based team was led by partner Mélanie Thill-Tayara, and included partner Sophie Pelé on regulatory aspects and associate Marion Provost on antitrust aspects.

Read the press release in French (PDF): "Dechert assiste Ipsen en droit de la concurrence et droit réglementaire dans le cadre de son acquisition de 5 produits santé grand public auprès de Sanofi."

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