Alain Decombe
Partner | Paris
Alain Decombe

Alain Decombe has advised on numerous strategic M&A transactions and advises on all types of corporate transactions, both in France and internationally. He is well-known for his ability to structure and negotiate complex deals in a practical and business-oriented manner, and lead them to successful conclusions. Mr. Decombe regularly advises multinational corporations and private equity funds with respect to their investments in many industry sectors, mostly life sciences, but also food, industrial gases and highly engineered products.

Alain Decombe is ranked as a "leading individual" by The Legal 500 EMEA 2024 and Band 1 by Chambers Europe 2024 for life sciences in France with a client saying "Alain is important in the pharma ecosystem in France." In addition, he is recognized as “global leader” and “national leader” by Who’s Who Legal 2022 for life sciences in France and by Best Lawyers in France 2025 in biotechnology, life sciences and corporate law. IFLR1000 2023 recommends Mr. Decombe in its M&A and private equity categories.

Mr. Decombe joined Dechert in 2005. He began his career in British and American global law firms. He became a partner of one of those firms in 1995 and took on managing functions for the first time in 2002.

  • A British pharmaceutical group in an exchange of strategic assets and the creation of a joint-venture with a Swiss pharmaceutical group.
  • A U.S. Fortune 500 group in its €150 million acquisition of a French leading group in security monitoring systems from financial sponsors.
  • A CAC 40 group in its acquisition of an international group specializing in the supply of industrial gases.
  • A sovereign state, as stakeholder in a CAC 40 company, on a £21 billion acquisition of a European industrial company.

Life Sciences

  • Advanced Oncotherapy plc in connection with its strategic funding partnership and debt facility with Nerano Pharma.
  • A leading international brand name in pet care and wellness in the purchase of a pet care accessories, rawhides and veterinary medicines business in France, Italy and Spain.
  • A Sino-French venture capital fund on its investment in a French Contract Manufacturing Organization specialized in pharmaceutical development and the manufacture of high value-added sterile products.
  • The world's leading provider of non-invasive medical devices dedicated to the assessment of chronic liver diseases on a minority investment from a Sino-French venture capital fund and a US venture capital fund.
  • A leading pharmaceutical company in the implementation of several strategic assets transactions in France with a Swiss pharmaceutical company.
  • The shareholders of a French biotechnology company in the sale of 100% of the shares of the company to a Swiss pharmaceutical group.
  • A French investment company in the acquisition of a French biotechnology company through a LBO structure. 
  • A leading French pharmaceutical company in the acquisition of a group of French health services companies.
  • An American pharmaceutical and medical device group in the €170 million purchase of one of its major French suppliers.
  • One of the largest hospital management groups in the United States on its €320 million sale of one of France’s largest networks of clinics to private equity funds.
  • The shareholders of a French pharmaceutical group in its US$450 million sale to an American biopharmaceutical company.
  • The shareholders of the fourth largest independent French pharmaceutical group in its €195 million sale to an Indian pharmaceutical group.
  • The Inside Counsel Revolution - Paris, France (April 20, 2016)
  • L'e-santé : une révolution pour le système de santé – L'Usine Nouvelle (November 9, 2021) 
  • Dechert, la stratégie de la différenciation – Décideurs Magazine (April 2, 2021)
  • Medicinal product regulation and product liabilité in France overview – Pratical Law (May 1, 2018)
  • Dechert offre à ses clients du secteur de la santé une assistance globale au plus proche des problèmatiques auxquelles ils sont confrontés – Décideurs Magazine (March 31, 2017)

 

Services Industries
    • Université Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas, DESS, Advanced Specialized Studies in Business and Tax Law, 1985
    • UCLA School of Law, LL.M., 1988
    • Paris
    • English
    • French