Dechert Advises ARCHIMED on Carve-Out Acquisition of ARK Diagnostics

Dechert advised ARCHIMED, a global private equity healthcare specialist, on the carve-out acquisition of California-based ARK Diagnostics Inc. from Soulbrain Holdings (KRX: 036830), a listed South Korean specialty chemical company. Valued at US$428 million, the transaction gives ARCHIMED a 60 percent stake in ARK through its MED Platform II fund, while Soulbrain reinvested to retain a 40 percent stake.

The deal includes a joint venture agreement between ARCHIMED and Soulbrain aimed at accelerating ARK’s development of new technologies, expanding its product portfolio and strengthening its global reach.

Founded in 2003, ARK is a global leader in specialty immunoassay in vitro diagnostics, focusing on therapeutic drug monitoring and drugs of abuse testing for human and veterinary applications. The company is recognized for its advanced Enzyme-Multiplied Immunoassay Technique (EMIT) and offers more than 30 proprietary assays sold in over 30 countries.

The cross-border Dechert team that advised ARCHIMED was led by corporate partners Michael Darby and Alain Decombe, supported by associates Nathalie Noura, Rodrigo A. Rivera, Marie Mast and Lei Zhu. The global finance team included partner Ani Ravi and associate Alex Haberman. Antitrust advice was provided by partners Marion Provost and Clemens York, counsel Beverly Ang and associates Victor Sampaio, Charles Sauvage and Thirith von Döhren. The tax team was led by partner Kevin Zaragoza and associate Abigail Hopper, while employment advice was provided by partner Kevin Kay and associate Tabitha Crosier. Cybersecurity matters were handled by associate James Smith.

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